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In How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag follow step-by-step directions at home for making your own ice cream. Find out the science behind how this works. Smart as well as delicious! Watch a demonstration of how this works in the video below. With a few simple ingredients you can be eating a DIY slushie cold treat in no time! Even on a very hot day!

A little bit simpler science recipe you can try is making a DIY slushie from your favorite drink. The same science principles apply! Your favorite drink is pretty good with ice floating in it. When your drink has ice cubes in it, the ice cubes make the drink colder, but the ice cubes don’t make the drink itself freeze. The ice cubes IN the drink melt because they are colder then the drink itself. The drink melts the ice cubes by lowering their temperature. If you want a slushie you need to put ice AROUND your drink instead of IN it.

Melting point is the temperature at which a solid will melt. For ice this temperature is 32 degrees. If you put a drink in the freezer, where the temperature is 32 degrees or colder, the drink itself will freeze. Solid. You won’t be able to drink it!

To make your DIY slushie you want the temperature around your favorite drink to be lower than 32 degrees so the drink itself will get really cold. Keep an eye on it and stir it a lot so it doesn’t freeze solid. Make an easy slushie using ice cubes and salt. Note: the salt does NOT go IN your drink!

Salt lowers the melting point of water. Adding salt to ice cubes makes them stay frozen longer. If ice with salt added to it is packed around a liquid, like your drink, the salted ice will make your drink so cold that it will turn into a slushie!\

What You Need:

  • Your Favorite Drink (Soda, orange juice, lemonade, etc.)
  • Quart-size zip-lock bag
  • Gallon-size zip-lock bag
  • 2 cups ice
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • Bowl

Fill the quart size bag with your favorite drink and zip it closed. HINT: Make sure the bag is zipped really good or your slushie will taste bad when some of the salt leaks into your bag. Put the quart size bag inside the gallon bag. Add the ice and salt to the gallon bag. Next, zip the gallon size bag closed. Finally, shake the bag a lot – even play catch with it…gently. In about 15 minutes you will feel the ingredients in the quart size bag starting to firm up. What started out as a liquid is changing to a solid. When it feels done take the quart size bag out of the gallon size bag. Rinse it off good in clean water. Then open the bag, squeeze the slushie into a glass and enjoy!

When you add salt to the ice cubes you lower the melting point of the ice cubes by several degrees. The ice cubes stay colder, longer – long enough to turn your drink slushie. The secret is the catalyst – the salt. A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction.

Science Experiment Idea

Make 3 different quart size bags each filled with the exact same amount of your favorite drink. Fill each of three gallon size bag with the exact same number of ice cubes. Add 1/8 cup of salt to the first gallon size bag and label it with a sharpie, “1/8”. Then add 1/4 cup of salt to the second gallon size bag and label it “1/4”. Finally, add 1/3 cup of salt to the third gallon size bag and label it “1/3”. Have a couple friends help you shake and smoosh the bags to make the slushies. Time how long it takes each of the bags to turn into a slushie. Which amount of salt makes a DIY slushie the fastest?

Websites, Activities & Printables:

You can also ask a math and science expert for homework help by calling the Ask Rose Homework Hotline. They provide FREE math and science homework help to Indiana students in grades 6-12.

e-Books & Audiobooks

Use your Library Card to check out kitchen science books at any of our locations, or check out kitchen science e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use e-books and alearn how to use audiobooks.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Ice Cream and Other Edible Science for Kids

Let your kitchen become a science lab and bake, melt, freeze, or boil an experiment you can eat!

Title - The Ultimate Science Cookbook for KidsTitle - The Story of Ice CreamTitle - Super Fun Kitchen Science Experiments for KidsTitle - Kitchen ScienceTitle - 10-minute Kitchen Science ProjectsTitle - Sheet Pan ScienceTitle - The Chemistry of FoodTitle - The Complete Cookbook for Young ScientistsTitle - Kitchen ChemistryTitle - Hack Your Kitchen : Discover A World of Food Fun With Science BuddiesTitle - Kitchen Explorers!Title - Experiment With Kitchen Science

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Central Library proudly presents its annual small business series of free, in-person workshops plus a dedicated legal clinic tailored specifically for both established business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. This year’s series promises to be more comprehensive than ever. The series includes workshops delving into crucial topics such as financial statement analysis, legal considerations for businesses, effective marketing strategies, , and safeguarding intellectual property. This year’s series also includes two workshops presented in Spanish.

In addition to our hands-on workshops, we offer a curated selection of business books designed to inform, inspire, and guide you through every stage of your business journey. Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine and expand your existing enterprise, our resources will provide valuable insights and practical advice.

Join us at Central Library to gain expert knowledge, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and access tools that will help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to supporting your success and equipping you with valuable resources to help you thrive in today’s competitive business environment.

Questions?  Call Central Library and ask to speak with a Business Librarian. 

Feel free to walk in, but we encourage you to register.

2025 Small Business Series

More Business Resources

Two children looking at a tablet while hiding in a tent fort.

Picture book read along stories play like a movie and are great for listening practice as well as really fun! You can stream picture book videos free with your IndyPL library card. Illustrations move as you watch the narrated stories. Video picture books are especially convenient for car trips. You can check out several at a time and play them multiple times while you have them checked out. They are perfect for “read it again!”

To stream these videos for kids you will need a Hoopla account. Hoopla is the service the Library uses to deliver these videos to you.

Get Started Streaming Picture Book Videos on Hoopla

  • You can access Hoopla to stream picture book videos from any device, including iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
  • Visit Hoopla to sign up with your Library card.
  • Once you borrow a movie, you have 3 days to view it as many times as you like.
  • Your total borrows reset on the 1st of the month.
  • Once you have reached your 10 items a month borrowing limit, you will not be able to borrow any Hoopla content until the new month starts and your 10 borrows reset.
  • Need help? Watch a video tutorial.

Here are a few favorites to get you started, or see Hoopla’s complete list of picture book videos for kids.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

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Child drawing or writing with a variety of colored pencils.

Drawing, coloring, and writing can help your child practice early learning skills with their favorite book characters. You can even use them to plan a fun book character birthday party on the cheap! All you need is a computer, printer, some time…and your Library card! We also have the books, movies, and music to make your party a memorable hit! Look for online video read alouds to go with the book character printables at Free Video Read Alouds and MORE Free Video Read Alouds.

Characters A-E

Amelia Bedelia

Arnie the Doughnut

Arthur

Babymouse

Bad Kitty

Biscuit

Bruce the Bear

Captain Underpants

Clark the Shark

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Corduroy

Curious George

Daniel Tiger

Danny and the Dinosaur

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Dog Man

Doreen Cronin (Click Clack Moo Cows That Type)

Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)

Characters F-Z

Fancy Nancy

Frog and Toad

I Want My Hat Back

Kevin Henkes (Chrysanthemum, Owen, Lilly)

Library Lion

Little Critter

The Little Engine That Could, The

Madeline

Maisy

Mo Willems (Knuffle Bunny, Elephant & Piggie)

Paddington Bear

Peppa Pig

Pete the Cat

Pinkalicious

Splat the Cat

Star Wars

Where the Wild Things Are

Publisher Index Pages for Book Character Printables:

Child dressed like little red riding hood reading to her stuffed animals while sitting on a blanket with a picnic basket in the woods.

There are lots of stories kids can rattle off without even thinking very much. The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, and Cinderella are examples of some commonly told stories children all over the world often know. Told in different places, the stories take on interesting differences that reflect a country’s environment or culture. Fairy tale variants like these can be great introductions to new places and new people!

Sometimes storytellers like to have fun with a traditional story too. Cinderella plays in a hockey game instead of going to a ball. The Big Bad Wolf tells HIS side of the story. The story happens in a new or unique place. Try one of these for a unique twist on classic tales!

title - The Twelve Dancing Princessestitle - Jacqueline and the Beanstalktitle - The Ninjabread Mantitle - The Egyptian Cinderella

Have fun with fairy tale variants – unique spins on these classics!

Hispanic Retellings of Classic Tales

Here are some favorite classic tales and traditional stories told with details and cultural traditions of the American Southwest, Mexico, Central or South America.

Title - AdelitaTitle - Paco and the giant chile plantTitle - The Runaway TortillaTitle - La Princesa and the PeaTitle - The Pot That Juan BuiltTitle - The Three CabritosTitle - Rubia and the Three OsosTitle - The Three Little JavelinasTitle - Señorita GorditaTitle - The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden StirredTitle - Chachalaca ChiquitaTitle - The Party for Papá Luis

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

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June and July hold annual reminders of the history of independence and freedom in the United States. See our staff recommendations that will give you a variety of perspectives on pivotal events that have shaped our views.

Important Milestones

July 4, 1776
Independence Day

Independence Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The declaration announced the separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain. The declaration says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

January 1, 1863
Emancipation Proclamation

But for America’s Black population, these words did not apply. They remained enslaved for nearly 100 more years until US President Abraham Lincoln declared in the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 that “All persons held as slaves within any States, or designated part of the State, the people whereof shall be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.“

June 19, 1865
Juneteenth

It took more than two years for this news of independence and freedom to travel throughout the country. On June 19, 1865 Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and declared “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” Juneteenth reminds us that the process of ending slavery, of extending independence and freedom to everyone, was not a single moment in time, but multiple moments.

In his “I have a dream” speech in 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. referenced this ongoing fight for freedom “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

July 2, 1964
Civil Rights Act

It took another 100 years for President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign the Civil Rights Act in 1964 outlawing racial discrimination in the United States. The process continues to this day.

President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. “By making Juneteenth a federal holiday, all Americans can feel the power of this day, and learn from our history, and celebrate progress, and grapple with the distance we’ve come but the distance we have to travel.” He continue “After all, the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans didn’t mark the end of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality; it only marked the beginning. To honor the true meaning of Juneteenth, we have to continue toward that promise because we’ve not gotten there yet.“

See more library resources at:

Slave Narratives: The Stories that Abolished Slavery

Today slave narratives are seen as first person stories about one of the darkest times in United States history, but when slave narratives were being published in the 1800s they were a powerful tool used in the fight for their own freedom. Through their stories they were able to contradict the slaveholders’ favorable claims concerning slavery. Through these narratives they could tell the horrors of family separation, the sexual abuse of black women, and the inhuman workload. The narratives helped show the humanity of the most dehumanized people in the country.

Title - Narrative of the Life of Frederick DouglassTitle - The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah EquianoTitle - Twelve Years A SlaveTitle - William Wells Brown

    Picture Book Stars to Celebrate Independence & Freedom

    Learn about the 4th of July, Juneteenth, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth Amendment, and more! Read stories about family and neighborhood traditions all over the country from parades to fireworks to noodles to pie. #indyplkids

    Title - The Night Before FreedomTitle - Revolutionary Prudence WrightTitle - Her Name Was Mary KatharineTitle - Fireworks

    Portrait of Frederick Douglass and the logo of the Center for Black Literature & Culture
    Photograph of Frederick Douglass.

    Hoosiers Reading Frederick Douglass Together

    The Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities started the program Reading Frederick Douglass Together to encourage groups to read and discuss Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” and explore freedom in America.

    Douglass first gave the speech on July 5, 1852 at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Abraham Lincoln delivered this speech well before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the 13th Amendment in 1865, which freed enslaved people. His words in The Meaning of July 4th for the Negro continue to resonate with Black citizens after more than 150 years, highlighting that not all were free at the time. The speech says in part,

    “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” And he asked them, “Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day?”

    Resources

    If you are unable to attend a reading, you can read the text online. There is a printable tip sheet, discussion guide, and page of helpful resources. Watch this short video of five descendants of Frederick Douglass reading excerpts from his famous speech, which calls on people to reflect on America’s long history of denying equal rights to Black Americans.

    Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

    Frederick Douglass, born into slavery in 1818, grew up to become a human rights activist, gifted speaker, and author. He also started a newspaper, served as a U.S. Marshal, and became the first African American to receive a vote for President at a major party’s convention during the 1888 Republican National Convention. (Benjamin Harrison, from Indianapolis, went on to win the presidency in 1889.) He lectured on civil rights and abolition and also supported Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony in their fight for women’s suffrage. He published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, in 1845. It it the first hand account of his childhood as a slave.

    More Reading:

    Visit the Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) at Central Library to find and check out books that affirm and celebrate the Black experience.

    The CBLC includes a section just for kids. Every book taken off the shelf, both fiction and non-fiction, features Black characters or historical and contemporary people that highlight the Black experience, history, or biography.

    The Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library

    The Central Authors Engraving Project – Frederick Douglass

    Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) was an extraordinary leader and abolitionist who escaped slavery to become one of the greatest orators in modern history and was instrumental in the emancipation of slaves in the United States. Check out the items on the following list by or about Dougalss to learn more about this great man.

    Title - Narrative of the Life of Frederick DouglassTitle - My Bondage and My FreedomTitle - Life and Times of Frederick DouglassTitle - The Heroic SlaveTitle - Frederick DouglassTitle - Frederick DouglassTitle - Frederick DouglassTitle - Frederick Douglass

    Basketball swishing through the net and the Indiana Pacers logo

    If you are gearing up to cheer on the Pacers, there’s no better time to dive into the team’s rich history. From their roots to unforgettable playoff moments, The Indianapolis Public Library offers a courtside seat to decades of Pacers pride. Take a look at our reading recommendations for all ages about basketball from high school to college to the WNBA and NBA. You can even explore the intersection of basketball and the arts – music, poetry, photography, fashion, sculpture, painting and film.

    You’ll also find a special Pacers display on the top floor of Central Library in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room. Visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the city skyline while exploring the team’s legacy. This display will be available until Sunday, June 22nd, when the NBA playoffs end.

    History

    Reading Recommendations

    Hoops & Books

    Take a look through this list of books about basketball from high school to college to the NBA.

    Title - The Wonder BoyTitle - Above the NoiseTitle - DreamTitle - It

    Basketball Movies

    Here are a few movies and documentaries about basketball to get you ready for all the live action!

    Title - Above the RimTitle - Alaskan NetsTitle - Assembly HallTitle - Bad Boys

    Underdog Stories

    When things are tough, an underdog story is a great way to feel inspired to keep going…like the Pacers. Never give up!

    Title - Into Unknown SkiesTitle - The Boys of RiversideTitle - UnderdawgsTitle - The Watermen

    e-Books & Streaming

    Basketball & Pacers Pride in Indiana

    In 49 states it’s just basketball…but this is Indiana. Make a selection from Books on and off the Court — Basketball in Indiana! – e-books and audiobooks to enjoy between games while we cheer our Pacers on! Yes ‘Cers! Learn how to use your library card to checkout e-books or audiobooks.

    Women’s Hoops: The Essential Reading List

    NCAA tournament season is almost upon us, and the WNBA opener is on the horizon. Get amped for all the action to come with new and classic reads about women’s basketball.

    Title - Hoop MusesTitle - Inaugural Ballers : the True Story of the First U.S. WomenTitle - Dear Black GirlsTitle - Dust Bowl Girls

    Art & Basketball

    Explore the intersection of basketball and the arts – music, poetry, photography, fashion, sculpture, painting and film.

    Title - Soul of the GameTitle - FlyTitle - The Story of Basketball in 100 PhotographsTitle - A History of Basketball in 15 Sneakers

    Basketball Hoops & Hopes -Chapter Books for Kids!

    Here are some great reads for kids that feature basketball!

    Title - Remember UsTitle - Falling ShortTitle - Roster ReboundTitle - Shot Clock

    Pacers Pride at the Library

    https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/1540560119/2452145039

    Thinking of starting a nonprofit organization? First consider that…“Starting a nonprofit may be the most complicated way to act on your passion to serve your community. It requires much planning, time, effort, and money just to start; however, the biggest challenge is to develop and maintain reliable income streams. Estimates vary; nevertheless, most experts agree that less than half of nonprofit startups survive beyond five years. Of those that survive, perhaps one-third are in financial distress.” (From What are alternatives to starting a nonprofit?, an article in Candid’s “learning community for the social sector.”)

    Tips for Getting Started

    If you decide to explore setting up a nonprofit, have already done so, or work for a nonprofit organization, Candid Learning has much to offer. Moreover, it provides valuable resources and insights to support your efforts. So, be sure to check out the TRAINING, TOPICS, RESOURCES, or Ask Us tabs across the top of the page. Additionally, these sections offer a wealth of information to help you get started. Ask Us is Candid’s way for you to engage their team of experts. As a result, they can answer questions about foundations, philanthropy, fundraising, and nonprofits. Furthermore, they offer insights on various other related topics.

    State of Indiana: Resources for Nonprofits and Faith-Based Organizations

    Business Plans Handbook Creating a business plan can help a nonprofit organization describe how it intends to implement its mission and achieve its set of goals and objectives. (To access this database outside the library, you will need to log in with your IndyPL library card.)

    IndyPL’s 2024 Nonprofit Program Series

    IndyPL’s nonprofit program series offers training on a variety of nonprofit management topics. Past workshops have included starting a nonprofit, fundraising, recruiting volunteers, developing a board of directors, and more.

    Recommended Program Development Tools

    Measuring Program Outcomes: A Practical Approach: by United Way of America’s Task Force on Development.

    Funding for Nonprofit Organizations

    Before you do, read Is Your Organization Grant Ready? to determine if your nonprofit should invest time and money in pursuing such funding at this point. Additionally, this resource will help you assess your readiness for grant applications.

    If you decide the time is right to pursue grants, consider these resources:

    The Indianapolis Public Library is a Funding Information Network partner with Candid, headquartered in New York City. As such we provide access to their subscription databases Foundation Directory Online and Foundation Grants to Individuals Online. (Currently at Central Library only)

    NOTE: We are currently able to provide you with temporary remote access to Foundation Directory Online Essential from home.

    For an introduction to using Foundation Director Online, see this video presentation, How to use the New FDO.

    Considering Government Grants? See General Guide to Government Funding produced by Congressman Andre Carson’s office.

    Volunteers

    The Value of Volunteer Time “helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Charitable organizations can use this estimate to quantify the enormous value volunteers provide.”

    Statistics and Data

    Indiana State Data Center Grant writers often need demographic data from the Census and other local sources. Contact the Indiana State Data Center, your safety net for stats.

    IndyVitals measures the long-term impact of the work of Plan 2020 partners at the neighborhood level.

    The Human Needs Index (HNI) is believed to be the first multidimensional measure of poverty in the United States from the nonprofit perspective. The high-quality, monthly data from The Salvation Army goes back to 2004 and illuminates trends in poverty and vulnerability.

    Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Report “Prior to the 2010 Nonprofit Salary Report, a comprehensive summary of nonprofit 501(C)3 salaries and benefits did not exist, so we were excited to begin a tradition that we feel is very important to the current and future vitality of the
    Central Indiana nonprofit sector.”

    Local Nonprofit Resources

    Charitable Allies “Charitable Allies is a charity that provides legal, educational, administrative support, training, and consulting services to nonprofits.”

    Indiana Nonprofit Database This is a single, comprehensive listing of nonprofit organizations in the state— a joint product of the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Indiana Business Research Center as part of the Indiana Nonprofits Project: Scope & Community Dimensions.)

    Social Assets and Vulnerabilities Indicators “Whether you’re a grant writer seeking vital funding or an executive director developing a strategic plan, SAVI helps you make informed decisions based on the social, economic and other demographic realities in some 2,000 Central Indiana communities.” Free training on SAVI is available at the Polis Center. The full course options are available here.

    Association of Fundraising Professionals-Indiana “The Association of Fundraising Professionals-Indiana Chapter fosters the growth of development of philanthropy, the fund-raising profession, the Chapter, and its individual members.”

    Indiana Philanthropy Alliance is a nonprofit membership association of and for the state’s philanthropic grantmaking community. Our members include public and private foundations, corporate giving programs, governmental grantmakers, regranting organizations, philanthropic advisors and other qualified individuals. Collectively, our membership holds about $12.5 billion in assets and awards more than $500 million in grants each year. Consequently, this substantial financial capacity enables us to make a significant impact through our funding efforts. IPA itself does not make grants.

    Legal Resources

    Community Development Legal Project – The Community Development Legal Project (CDLP) was started by Indiana Legal Services (ILS). It offers a variety of legal services to eligible nonprofits, community organizations, and low income individuals free of charge. Legal issues can be complex. Since the cost of navigating legal issues can be prohibitive, the CDLP can help alleviate some of these concerns. Furthermore, it offers services statewide to existing eligible nonprofit organizations as well as aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a for-profit or nonprofit venture. Specifically, CDLP services include assistance with legal issues related to forming a new entity. Additionally, CDLP addresses legal concerns related to ongoing business operations, such as governance, contracts, real estate, tax, and employment issues.

    If your organization is in need of legal assistance, or determining whether an issue your organization is facing may be better addressed with the help of an attorney, your organization should consider contacting the CDLP project attorney to discuss whether assistance is available.

    Investigating Tax-Exempt Organizations

    Internal Revenue Service Nonprofit Tax Information

    Tax Exempt Organization Search (formerly Select Check) Tax Exempt Organization Search helps users find information about a tax-exempt organization’s federal tax status and filings.

    National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations A comprehensive guide to the growing nonprofit world designed for marketers, sales staff, and nonprofit professionals. Provides contact and basic factual information on the largest nonprofit organizations in the United States. Go to IndyPL Research. Select Gale Directory Library. Then, scroll down to find the National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations. Additionally, this directory provides comprehensive information on various nonprofit organizations. (In order to access the databases outside the library, you will need to log in with your IndyPL library card.)

    ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer “Use this database to view summaries of 3 million tax returns from tax-exempt organizations and see financial details such as their executive compensation and revenue and expenses. You can browse IRS data released since 2013 and access over 9.6 million tax filing documents going back as far as 2001.”

    Online Newsletters and Blogs for Nonprofit Organizations

    Candid Learning Blog “highlights the knowledge you need to be a better grantseeker. Join the conversation.”

    Indianapolis Not-for-profit News “For 15 years, Charitable Advisors has worked to provide relevant information and is designed to be your “one-stop” nonprofit-sector resource. The weekly e-newsletter is sent directly to your email and is now mobile friendly. If you want information that is important to your work and keeps you up to speed on what your peers are doing, Not-for-profit News is the information source for you.”

    Periodicals (paper format)

    The Chronicle of Philanthropy PERIODICAL

    Giving USA 361.7 GIV

    Grassroots Fundraising Journal PERIODICAL (Grassroots Fundraising Journal, a beloved publication with a history of over 35 years, has paused publication indefinitely. The last issue was July-August 2018. While there are no current plans to produce new articles, we know that thousands of people continue to find the fundraising information, case studies, and how-to instructions valuable. The full archive of the Journal is now available free to the public. By freeing up access to the archive, we can continue to spread fundraising knowledge and lift up the work of sustaining grassroots organizations.

    Library Computer Catalog Searches and E-Books and Audiobooks from Candid

    Questions about Indypl’s nonprofit resources? Email our Nonprofit Team,  or call Central Library and ask to speak with someone on the Nonprofit Team.

    Adults in a class
    alt="Nonprofit series classroom."

    Our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series at Central Library offers free, in-person workshops on a variety of nonprofit management topics including starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, developing a board of directors, strategic planning, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, planning effective programs, and writing successful grant proposals. Workshops are led by local nonprofit experts. We also offer training on using Foundation Directory, a prospecting tool for researching grant funders as well as how to find evidence-based research for grant proposals. These sessions are led by librarians on our Nonprofit Team at Central Library.

    Nonprofit Program Series at Central Library Schedule & Registration:

    Questions about the Nonprofit Program Series at Central Library? Email or call Central Library and ask to speak with a librarian on our Nonprofit Team.

    Not able to attend one of our workshops? Watch one of our recorded sessions from our Spring 2021 workshop series available on The Library’s YouTube channel.

    For more information, resources, funding tips, and helpful tools see our blog post Nurturing the Nonprofit Organization.

    Made possible by Meridian Foundation through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.

    Nonprofit Book Discussion Picks

    A sampling of books relevant to issues facing nonprofit organizations. Consider reading one together with your organization. If you or your organization needs support locating learning resources, get in touch with our Nonprofit Team. Call the Library at 317-275-4100 and ask to speak to the Nonprofit Team or email us at nonprofit@indypl.org.

    Title - Lean ImpactTitle - Our Secret SocietyTitle - Nonprofit NeighborhoodsTitle - Decolonizing WealthTitle - Madam C. J. WalkerTitle - What the FundraisingTitle - Charity CaseTitle - The Divine EconomyTitle - Founding FinanceTitle - Caring CashTitle - How We Give NowTitle - Measuring the Networked Nonprofit

    A raised fist on a background of overlapping silouettes of human faces.

    June 19th is Juneteenth, a day set aside to commemorate the day Texas slaves first learned about emancipation. More than two years after President Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation! Union army general Gordon Granger made the announcement in Galveston on June 19, 1865. His announcement made Texas the last state to hear the news. Juneteenth is a crucial piece of the complex series of announcements, documents, and events that lead to the passage of the 13th amendment.

    Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

    The book cover of Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free the True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Duncan, Alice Faye.

    Juneteenth National Independence Day is a United States federal holiday. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday June 17, 2021. Listen to Opal Lee, the activist known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” reflect on her efforts that are credited with the day being officially recognized. In 2017 at the age of 89 Lee walked from Fort Worth to Washington D.C. to call attention to her quest. To learn more about Opal check out Opal Lee and What It Means To Be Free.

    Annual Indy Book Fest & Juneteenth Celebration

    Lobe for the Center for Black Literature & Culture.

    The Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) hosted an annual Juneteenth celebration at Central Library. The event took place Saturday, June 14.

    This year’s presentation, called Liberating Minds: African American Literature and Libraries, included a wonderful selection of local authors, the Musical sounds of Nu Destiny Christian Church Choir, exciting drop-in kids’ activities, and more!

    Our featured speaker was librarian Mychal Threets who says “Library joy and book joy are what I’m all about. We all belong in our libraries!” Mychal joined us in a conversation moderated by Ashley C. Ford.

    Remembering the History of Emancipation

    In the NPR interview What the Emancipation Proclamation Didn’t Do, Lonnie Bunch III, founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History, said the following about remembering the history of emancipation:

    “Well, I think that on a very specific notion, I would love people to realize that African-Americans were agents in their own liberty. I think that that’s an important piece, rather than simply the notion, if you look at the movie “Lincoln,” it seems as if Lincoln freed the slaves, rather than it’s part of a complicated nuanced puzzle that led to emancipation.

    But, I think the other part that’s so important to me about this moment is this is a moment for Americans to remember that you can believe in a change that you can’t see. That the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was something that everybody knew was going to exist forever except for a few fanaticals. But suddenly the Emancipation Proclamation began America on a trajectory that ultimately led to a fundamental change in citizenship and equality. And so what I hope is that people would realize that they have a right to demand and effect change because change is possible in this country.”

    Learn more about Juneteenth

    Watch:

    • Our streaming service called Kanopy has a curated collection of films that commemorate Juneteenth. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before directions and a video tutorial are available.
    • Watch the online exhibition Slavery & Freedom from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History. It highlights stories behind some of the museum’s most compelling objects.
    • Blacks and the Vote This online discussion from the CBLC includes the importance of voting, inspired poetry from local performers, and a moderated panel discussion about what voting means in today’s America.

    Listen:

    Read:

    Take a Deeper Dive:

    The Juneteenth Table: Putting the Twist on Tradition

    Celebrate Juneteenth with culinary creations, both traditional and modern! Each title contains recipes that call back to African heritage, African-American history, and long-held traditions of eating red foods for health, happiness, and celebration. Add something new to your Juneteenth table with these delicious offerings below. Happy Cooking!

    Title - Watermelon & Red BirdsTitle - My AmericaTitle - Ghetto Gastro Black Power KitchenTitle - Black Food

    Storytime with Dad is a great way to spend part of Father’s Day! Listen together to Hair Love, a story about a daddy daughter duo who work together to come up with the perfect hair style for a special day. They don’t know at first exactly which hair style will work, but as they try each one, they know which ones won’t! Follow along as they keep their cool and don’t get discouraged as they try and try again. You will also find below more free online read alouds, e-books, and online activities. It’s Father’s Day Storytime Online! Don’t miss our list of favorite books to check out for Father’s Day!

    Talk!

    After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

    • Why was Zuri so excited about her day? Why was it important to her to have her hair done?
    • How would you have felt if you couldn’t get your hair ready for a special event?
    • Have you ever had a hard time combing your hair? How did you feel when you were struggling with it? Did you ask for help?
    • Why does Zuri look at her ipad?
    • What ae some of the things that Zuri and her dad did do to figure out how to style her hair?
    • How did Zuri feel when her mother saw what they had done.

    Read!

    Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Father’s Day at any of our locations, or check out Father’s Day e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

    Click on the book covers below to listen to more Father’s Day video read aloud stories right now! It’s Father’s Day storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

    title - And Tango Makes Threetitle - Big Papa and the Time Machinetitle - Brick by Bricktitle - Blank Entrytitle - Hair Lovetitle - How to Cheer up Dadtitle - I [heart] Dad With the Very Hungry Caterpillartitle - Jabari Jumpstitle - You Made Me A Dadtitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entry

    The Best Dads in Picture Books to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

    List Cover Images - They teach, play, protect, tease, feed, and adventure from dawn to dark. These picture book dads show how it’s done from sweet to ornery to laugh out loud! They are great fun for Father’s Day and every day!

    Sing!

    Enjoy this sing along from Miss Linky. “Dads are special and they deserve some love on Father’s Day. Sing this song for your daddy and practice the moves to let your him know that he means the world to you!”

    Write!

    Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

    Play!

    Take a walk with your dad and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames.

    Find Ways to Play with Dad! searchable activities database from PBS Kids Results include printable activities, crafts made with things found around the house, online games, recipes, experiments, and more. You can search by age, favorite PBS kids show character, or by keyword.

    Join Us for In-Person Storytime

    • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
    • Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
    • Location: College Avenue Branch
    • Description: Mother Goose is on the loose! Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime just for babies.
    • No Registration Required.
    • Event: Underwater Explorers
    • Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 11:00am
    • Location: Central Library
    • Description: Sharks, mermaids, and pirates–oh my! Explore creatures of the deep through stories and activities led by Clint Kowalik of Go Fishin’ with Clint. Come as yourself or as your favorite sea character or creature! Perfect for children ages 3 to 6.
    • Register Here
    • Event: Storytime at Nora – Move and Groove
    • Date & Time: Saturday, December 06, 10:30am
    • Location: Nora Branch
    • Description: A story time that incorporates songs and dance, and will help start a great day. Encourages language development and physical activity. For toddlers and preschoolers, and their caregivers
    • No Registration Required.

    Need Help?

    Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

    In the month of May in Indianapolis attention is focused at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or less formally, “The Brickyard,” or as we simply call it here at home, “the track.” It is time for the Indy 500!

    If you sit outside in Indianapolis on a spring day in May and the wind is just right in relation to where you are, you can hear the distant high-pitched hum of cars practicing, careening around the track. On race day you can see other signs that something big is happening. If you look up you can see the Goodyear blimp floating above the city giving the world a birds-eye view, or at start time, watch the fighter jets fly in formation over the city, both traditions leading up to “Drivers, start your engines!”

    While you wait for this year’s race, have fun learning about the history, physics and amazing records of the greatest spectacle in racing – the Indianapolis 500! The Spectacle is a complete history of the Indianapolis 500. It includes a hundred year’s worth of memories from legendary drivers and details about memorable races. It’s like you were in the pits yourself watching the drama unfold. Listed below are online activities and books about the Indy 500 you can check out with your IndyPL library card. You can even learn how to draw or build a race car of your own!

    Websites, Printables & Activities

    e-Books & Audiobooks

    Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about car racing at any of our locations, or check out car racing e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

    Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

    Books for Kids Crazy about Indy Cars

    Title - The Indianapolis 500Title - Josef, the Indy Car DriverTitle - Race CarsTitle - The Racecar BookTitle - Draw 50 Cars, Trucks, and MotorcyclesTitle - Indy CarsTitle - Indy CarsTitle - The Curse of the Indy 500Title - Race CarsTitle - Dino RacingTitle - R Is for RaceTitle - Cars

    In Mommy’s Khimar, a young girl’s mother has a closet full of beautiful flowing scarves called khimars. A khimar is a veil or scarf worn in public by some Muslim women. The little girl in the story likes to play dress-up with her mom’s beautiful khimars. While dressed in them she uses her imagination to be a queen, a superhero, and her mom! She feels her mother’s love in each scarf as it covers her. You can listen to this story below read aloud by the author, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow. Enjoy Mother’s Day storytime online!

    Talk!

    After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

    • If you look at the page that shows mommy’s closet full of khimars, which one is your favorite?
    • Which khimar is the little girl’s favorite?
    • Do you like to play pretend? What kinds of things do you like to pretend to be?

    Read!

    Below are several more stories about amazing mothers. Each is a video read aloud, just click on a book cover to hear more Mother’s Day storytime online!

    Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Mother’s Day at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about Mother’s Day from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

    Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories about Mother’s Day right now! It’s Mother’s Day storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

    title - Are You My Mother?title - Heather Has Two Mommiestitle - I've Loved You Since Forevertitle - Just Me and My Momtitle - Llama Llama Misses Mamatitle - Make Way for Ducklingstitle - Mama's Bellytitle - Mommy's Khimartitle - Owl Babiestitle - Soccer With Momtitle - Stelalunatitle - Welcome to the Partytitle - You're All My Favoritestitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entry

    Books for Kids that Celebrate Amazing Mamas to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

    List Cover Images - From poignant to laugh-out-loud these picture book tributes to all kind of moms leave no doubt as to the true definition of unconditional love – mamas themselves. Perfect stories for Mother’s Day and every day.

    Sing!

    Enjoy this sing along from The Laurie Berkner Band. “Everyone knows there’s nothing quite like a hug from their mom. In this sweet and cheery tune, Laurie Berkner lets kids in on the secret that for all the mothers, mamas, mommies, and moms out there, there’s nothing quite like a hug from their children, either!”

    Write!

    Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

    Play!

    Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames.

    Try the Are You My Mother? online memory match game. Try it set to easy, medium, or hard. Find more fun activities and home made gift ideas on the IndyPL Pinterest Board full of Mother’s Day Ideas.

    Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

    • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
    • Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
    • Location: College Avenue Branch
    • Description: Mother Goose is on the loose! Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime just for babies.
    • No Registration Required.
    • Event: Underwater Explorers
    • Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 11:00am
    • Location: Central Library
    • Description: Sharks, mermaids, and pirates–oh my! Explore creatures of the deep through stories and activities led by Clint Kowalik of Go Fishin’ with Clint. Come as yourself or as your favorite sea character or creature! Perfect for children ages 3 to 6.
    • Register Here
    • Event: Storytime at Nora – Move and Groove
    • Date & Time: Saturday, December 06, 10:30am
    • Location: Nora Branch
    • Description: A story time that incorporates songs and dance, and will help start a great day. Encourages language development and physical activity. For toddlers and preschoolers, and their caregivers
    • No Registration Required.

    Need Help?

    Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

    Indianapolis has a rich cycling history as the birthplace of Marshall “Major” Taylor, an American professional cyclist. Taylor won the sprint event at the 1889 World Track Championships. He became the first African American to win a cycling world championship. Get to know Major Taylor’s story and then learn more about bicycling in Indianapolis. Get reading recommendations as well as tips for new riding routes!

    The Center for Black Literature & Culture hosted an online presentation about Marshall “Major” Taylor by Michael Kranish. Watch Kranish, author of, The World’s Fastest Man: the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor, America’s First Black Sports Hero. share Taylor’s journey.

    Indianapolis Velodrome

    The velodrome in Indianapolis is named in honor of Major Taylor. It was the first building in the city built with public funds to be named for an African American. Indianapolis won a bid to host the 1982 National Sports Festival. Since the city was short a natatorium, a track stadium and a velodrome, all three venues were built! This was possible thanks to a partnership between the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Department and the Lilly Endowment.

    In 1987, Indianapolis hosted the tenth Pan American Games. The Velodrome played host to all the track cycling events. Afterwards, the Velodrome hosted many other events including: US Olympic Festival, Junior Track Nationals; Elite Track Nationals; Masters Track Nationals; and Collegiate Track Nationals.

    In recent years the venue has suffered a slow and steady decline in condition and usage. Neighboring Marian University (whose nationally ranked cycling team practices and competes at the Indy Cycloplex) has joined with Indy Parks and Recreation Department to resurrect the Velodrome as a part of the comprehensive Indy Cycloplex facility. The project is creating a new, brighter history for the property as well as a brighter future for bicycling in Indianapolis.

    Learn more about Major Taylor in Kaelynn Hayes’ Racing in the Velodrome from Discover Indiana, a statewide project that makes cultural and historical information available to the public. Finally, check out all the cycling options here in Indy in How to Explore America’s Most Underrated Biking City.

    A sampling from the Major Taylor photo gallery:

    Buffalo, May 29 1908
    Grand Prix de la Rebublique
    Grand Prix de Paris Match
    Major Taylor Cyclist Buffalo Stadium

    Featured Book List: Cycling Books

    I am a lifelong cyclist and enjoy sharing my love for the sport with others.

    Title - Bicycling for LadiesTitle - Cycling on FormTitle - Outpedaling "the Big C"Title - RevolutionsTitle - Epic Bike Rides of EuropeTitle - Ride InsideTitle - The Cycling ChefTitle - Epic Bike Rides of the WorldTitle - Epic Bike Rides of the AmericasTitle - Cuba by BikeTitle - The Beautiful RaceTitle - Women on the Move

    National Bike Month

    Cycling fans – celebrate National Bike Month and take these books and movies for a spin! #IndyPLAdults

    Title - The Cycling BibleTitle - On Freedom RoadTitle - You Are My SunshineTitle - Breaking AwayTitle - Best Bike Rides in New EnglandTitle - Two Wheels GoodTitle - The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the WorldTitle - One Day in AprilTitle - The Total Bicycling ManualTitle - Cycling Atlas North AmericaTitle - Changing GearsTitle - Breathtaking

    Here are some tips to help you find books written by Asian and Pacific Islander authors, including a convenient list of authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks.

    Read an award winner.

    Make a selection from some of the most distinguished honors in literature. 

    Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

    Discover a new author by browsing through a literary magazine. 

    Literary magazines are an excellent way to acquaint yourself with new literary communities. Check out the literary magazines below and if you find an author you like, see if they have additional work in our catalog.  

    • Lantern Review is a literary journal dedicated to Asian American poetry. While the journal stopped publishing in 2022, their past issues are still available for folks to read online.  
    • Bamboo Ridge Press is a literary journal that publishes fiction and poetry related to the people of Hawai’i. While current issues are available for purchase, the archives can be browsed on the University of Hawai’i’s website for free. 
    • Jaggery, named after an unrefined dark brown sugar used throughout the South Asian diaspora, publishes poetry, fiction, and essays by South Asian authors.   
    • The Margins is a literary magazine published by the Asian American Writer’s Workshop. They feature “poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, critical essays, reportage, translations, interviews, and experimental and hybrid-genre work.” 

    Use your Library card to log into Novelist Plus. 

    On Novelist Plus you’ll find recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors. Browse the Asian Author category in Novelist Plus or browse the Pacific Islander category in Novelist Plus.

    Asian & Pacific Islander Authors

    Ali, Monica
    British Bangladeshi

    Cho, Zen
    Malaysian

    Chu, Wesley
    Taiwanese 

    Davenport, Kiana
    Hawai’ian

    De la Cruz, Melissa
    Filipina American

    Han, Kang
    South Korean

    Hoang, Helen
    Vietnamese American

    Hosseini, Khaled
    Afghan American

    Kaur, Rupi
    Indian Canadian

    Khaw, Cassandra
    Malaysian

    Kuang, R.F.
    Chinese American

    Lee, Chang-Rae
    Korean American

    Lee, Min Jin
    Korean American

    Manansala, Mia
    Filipina American

    Mikhail, Dunya
    Iraqi American

    Milan, Courtney
    Chinese American 

    Murakami, Haruki Japanese

    Murata, Sakaya
    Japanese

    Nafisi, Azar
    Irani

    Nhat Han, Thich
    Vietnamese

    Ondaatje, Michael
    Sri Lankan Canadian

    Rushdie, Salman
    American British Indian 

    Satrapi, Marjane
    French Iranian 

    Sattouf, Riad
    French Syrian 

    Shamsie, Kamila
    Pakistani British

    Sutanto, Jesse Q
    Chinese Indonesian

    Taleb, Nassim Nicholas
    Lebanese American 

    Tan, Amy
    Chinese American

    Thomas, Sherry
    Chinese American

    Upadhyay, Samrat
    Nepalese American

    Vaite, Celestine
    French Polynesian

    Vuong, Ocean
    Vietnamese American

    The Indianapolis Public Library bookmobile parked outside Central Library in 2019. The side has the Library logo, the Library's url indypl.org, the words "yours to experience," an photographs of a woman working at a desk, a stack of books, children checking out books, and a man reaching for a book in a tall bookcase.

    Have you seen one of the Library’s Bookmobiles driving around Indianapolis? We have two that visit neighborhoods and schools all over the city delivering books to people who don’t have a Library branch nearby. Kids love trucks, books, and cozy little spaces – our Bookmobiles are all three! Watch this video to meet one of our book cruising teams, ride on the bookmobile with Emilie and Bruce! Our Bookmobiles are filled with both great books and great people!

    Bookmobile History

    A librarian in Maryland in the early 1900s is credited with coming up with the idea of the first bookmobile. That first one was a horse-drawn wagon. No one had ever seen one of those before! Soon book wagons were appearing in other parts of the country, and by 1922, the book wagon idea was very popular. The bookmobile was born!

    • Bookmobiles: Then and Now – A Fascinating timeline of the evolution of bookmobiles, including the features, technology, and vehicles responsible for bringing library services to the public. Note: green entries on the timeline are bookmobile history in general. Purple entries in the timeline are Indianapolis Bookmobile history.
    • 50 Vintage Photos of Libraries on Wheels
    • Indianapolis Public Library Digital Collections: Bookmobiles

    We’ve picked our favorite photos from our Digital Collection for this bookmobile photo gallery. It’s fun to see how our bookmobiles have changed over the years!

    To learn even more about bookmobiles check out one of the books below. Each one tells the story of a bookmobile. Ride on the bookmobile with Emily and Bruce, or see some places where it makes sense to deliver books by boat, burro, or camel!

    Bookmobiles: On the Road for Reading All Over the World

    Book lovers and librarians have loaded up books and taken them on the road for decades. What people use to transport the books depends on where the books need delivered. Bookmobiles can be trucks, boats, bikes, or pack animals! Which animal is chosen depends on where in the world the books are being delivered. Horses, burros and camels are all excellent at book transportation. Here are some of our favorite stories about how mobile libraries get books to people who don’t have a library building nearby.

    Title - Books on BikesTitle - Colorful MondaysTitle - Big Truck DayTitle - The Library BusTitle - My Librarian Is A CamelTitle - That Book WomanTitle - The Book BoatTitle - Waiting for the BiblioBurroTitle - Library on WheelsTitle - Miss Dorothy and Her BookmobileTitle - My Librarian Is A CamelTitle - Biblioburro

    The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax. ~ Albert Einstein. It’s time to file your taxes! Many Library patrons rely on the Library for tax forms and filing instruction booklets.

    In order to encourage more tax payers to file electronically, both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Indiana State Department of Revenue (DOR) are limiting distribution of paper forms and instructions. Here is what to expect if you come into a Library for tax documents.

    • We have a free preprinted 2024 Tax Form Packet (.pdf) of the most common tax forms and schedule forms available for pickup at our locations. First come, first served. Only one packet per person.
    • You may use a Library computer to view tax instructions and booklets online, or you can print them on our printers. The first four black-and-white pages printed are free. Each page printed after that will be $0.15 per black-and-white page.
    • We offer a limited number of Federal 1040 and Indiana IT-40 booklets at some branch locations.
    • Library staff cannot help you select or fill out your tax forms.
    • See our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.

    Links to printable tax forms online or by phone:

    Tax preparation help:

    Library programs:

    FAQ

    How do I print documents at the Library?

    You can print from indypl.org/printing using the URL of a file, or by uploading a file from your device. You can also easily print from Library computers, or ask a staff member for help.

    Can I get free help filing my taxes?

    Library staff cannot help fill out forms, but here are some links to local organizations that can help:

    See our booklist for suggestions for learning more about filing income taxes.

    Where can I find IRA Information?

    Do you have a Roth or a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Use these links to find the latest information on contribution limits and withdrawals.

    Tax Season 2025

    Find resources here to help you better understand and file your 2024 taxes, from books to online learning courses, to trusted web sources of information.

    Title - TaxesTitle - Taxes 101Title - J.K. LasserTitle - Paying TaxesTitle - Reducing your TaxesTitle - TaxesTitle - J.K. LasserTitle - Tax Savvy for Small Business