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    Indiana State Library

    4.7 (16 reviews)
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    Indiana State Library Photos

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    Indiana Young Readers Center
    Nicole S.

    If you have young children, you need to visit the Indiana State Library just to see the giant Clifford the Big Red Dog dog house in the children's wing of the library. Of course, your children will want to play in the dog house for several minutes, so now you have a few unencumbered moments to yourself to check out the rest of the children's wing on peace. You'll notice that there are blocks, puzzles and games to play with, as well as a few toys. There are also interactive displays and, of course, lots and lots of books. We stayed about 20 minutes in this section, but if you have children with longer attention spans than I do, then you'd be good for a solid hour here. This building is suuuuuper ooooold, and because it's old, it's beautiful and quiet and peaceful and has wonderful architecture and gorgeous terrazzo floors. I could have spent lots of time just walking around the building, admiring its beauty and taking photos of the details.

    Ethan H.

    The Indiana State Library is really cool, and probably a fantastic resource if you're doing genealogy or local history. But it's not so much for the casual user. The rooms are beautiful and the building itself (which dates from 1932) is a piece of history, with murals and stained glass telling the story of our state. And the library is almost as old as Indiana, having started across the street in the state capital in 1825. Pleasant as it is to walk through and handsome as it is to look at, the library isn't really a place for the casual patron. The most beautiful rooms appear to be set up for presentations and events, with reading rooms thrown in around the edges, almost as an afterthought. The empty spaces and stacked chairs make the grand vistas of the interior design look more forbidding and desolate than they really are, causing the casual visitor to feel at one with the original settlers who, gazing across the plains of what was then the far west decided to settle down and call this place home. But settle I did, and the rewards were still mine to behold. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and clearly love the building they work in. They urged me to find a seat, settle in with a good book, and enjoy the scenery, which I did. And it was quiet -- oh, so quiet! -- just as a library should be. So stop on in and give the building a little love. Like much of Indiana, it's not perfect ... but it's also less explored and much less appreciated than it should be.

    The Great Hall on the 2nd floor.
    Pals S.

    Beautiful beautiful building with beautiful acoustics for Harp Recital. Abundant resources for people of all ages with plethora of information on Indiana History and of course for the book lovers. The bottom most floor has interactive features that is kid friendly where children can explore facts about Indiana and learn what voting means. Voting booth has simple voting options that shows the kids the pros and cons of a general topic on which a child can vote, and then cumulative results are shared. I thought that was neat. The ceilings are carved out and beautifully designed, along with stained glass windows. Handicap accessible for all floors. Staff is very patient, friendly and very willing to help. Lots of quiet places to sit, relax and to read. Parking meters available off of the street. Parking garage available around the corner. Go explore! I am glad I did!

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    A beautiful building with excellent meetings rooms.

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    15 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Indiana State Library

    A large center for children has fun interactive displays with information about the Statehouse, genealogy and local children's authors.

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    Indianapolis Central Public Library - Main room in the front of the building

    Indianapolis Central Public Library

    4.6(156 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    This library is an excellent place to host an event and a true community resource. I have attended…read moreseveral events here, from CreativeMornings to a minority career fair, and every experience has been well organized and welcoming. The space is gorgeous, flexible, and works beautifully for both professional and creative gatherings. We also host our neighborhood meetings here, which has been a great experience. The library consistently offers free classes, helpful staff, and access to a wide range of resources that make it more than just a place to study or work. It genuinely serves the community. When I am there working or attending events, I always try to sit by the windows overlooking the courtyard. The view of the skyline is a bonus and makes long days feel lighter. Highly recommend this library for events, meetings, or simply spending a productive day.

    The central library is an amazing resource for families and individuals. They offer great classes…read moreand programming. I participated in a linocut workshop and enjoyed learning a new skills - for free! I have also attended some great speaker series and conferences here. The kids zone is a great place to spend an hour or two with a toddler. The parking garage only costs a few dollars and there is a ton to keep my daughter busy. She loves the magnet wall, toys, and visual displays. I also check out digital books through the Libby app. The team there is always helpful. Thanks for all you do!

    Photos
    Indianapolis Central Public Library - Main room in the front of the building

    Main room in the front of the building

    Indianapolis Central Public Library - Grady in one of the many kids reading pods.

    Grady in one of the many kids reading pods.

    Indianapolis Central Public Library - Main room in the front of the building

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    Main room in the front of the building

    Glendale Branch Library - gorgeous interior #ReviewsByRL

    Glendale Branch Library

    4.3(31 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    We love the Glendale Library - it was recently redone and is gorgeous, full of natural light and…read morethoughtful details. It was designed specifically to be energy efficient with things like solar panels, electric vehicle stations, and recycled materials. The kids area is thoughtfully designed and full of activities and toys for a range of ages. There are lots of meeting rooms and tables, chairs, and seating area options. They even have a large multipurpose room I've seen with classes, kids parties, and bigger group activities.

    Updating my review, because the Glendale Branch Library is completely new. New location, new…read moreeverything. If you've been to the Michigan Road Branch, then you'll feel like this one is similar. The children's area is small but nice. There's a hill in the middle that kids can climb up and sit on, and some games and toys and things, as well as lots of books. The children's area is sort of open to the rest of the library, so it would be interesting to see what it looks like when there are lots of kids here for story time. There are lots of little nooks to hang out in, and lots of power outlets. There is also an outdoor reading area, which I saw was being used when I visited on a beautiful day. Another cool thing is that there's a drive-thru book drop, which is convenient. Overall, this is a much-needed improvement to this branch!

    Photos
    Glendale Branch Library - Here for Paws to Read with Paws & Think! #ReviewsByRL

    Here for Paws to Read with Paws & Think! #ReviewsByRL

    Glendale Branch Library - Kids area

    Kids area

    Glendale Branch Library - Newspapers

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    Newspapers

    Carmel Clay Public Library - Main atrium

    Carmel Clay Public Library

    4.8(51 reviews)
    14.6 mi

    The Carmel Clay Public Library is as fabulous as you'd expect from Carmel. Think an upscale version…read moreof the Louvre with books and you are getting close. And they've got so much more than books. I visited today and was offered a tour of their Digital Media Lab. Patrons of the library can take advantage of several 3-D printers and only pay for supplies. Cricut machines and software are available to create card, paper products, tee shirt transfers, mugs and more. A state-of-the-art video studio and several audio studios are available for aspiring performers. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and proactively helpful. I got inspiration for an upcoming project that I am working on for a family reunion. One of the staffers printed off information that I needed for my project. The children's area of the library is huge, filled with books, discovery lab, reading areas and an activity room. Toddlers were playing with a few toys during my visit. Upstairs, I found a massive collection of videos and adult books. Several banks of computers were buzzing with patrons taking advantage of the free service. The staff was friendly and happy to show where to find specific books. Comfy seating and work spaces are scattered throughout the facility. Several conference rooms can be reserved for community use. The building is beautiful with a modern architecture that lets in lots of natural light. There is a featured art wall in the lower level. A bookstore and coffee shop are available near the main entrance. There is a parking garage on the south side of the building complete with EV plug stations. Restroom facilities are upscale and immaculate. The library is an easy 5 stars and sets a high standard for libraries.

    I absolutely love this library! With an in house Java Coffee shop, the greatest library store and…read moreplenty of activities then it's a great place to spend the day! I went there recently on my birthday and found many interesting books in their shop and as I checked out even found a beautiful journal to choose as my one free item. I love that the shop also has games.

    Photos
    Carmel Clay Public Library - Bookstore

    Bookstore

    Carmel Clay Public Library - Children's area

    Children's area

    Carmel Clay Public Library - Reading area from main entrance

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    Reading area from main entrance

    College Avenue Branch Library

    College Avenue Branch Library

    4.3(19 reviews)
    4.4 miMeridian Kessler

    I have been to this library location numerous times due to my clinical supervisor having clinical…read moresupervision here. We would have it in a room that the library allows you to book out. The space was very big and they have tables and chairs in there. The librarian was nice because the first time there I didn't know where to go and they directed me in the right direction. This library is a nice space and has a lot to offer. If you are in the area you should check this library out.

    What a sweet neighborhood library! I've driven past here probably 1000 times and thought to myself…read more"I should stop there and check that out one day. "And, we finally did yesterday! It was the pictures of the aquarium in the children's book section that really caught my eye. It captivated our toddler for at least 15 to 20 minutes watching all of the different fish and crabs. They have a great little kids play section along with the books and we noticed some folks heading out from a children's birthday party. It seems like a great location to host a gathering! I was enjoyed perusing the children's books- they had a variety in different languages and several highlighting different cultural celebrations that caught my eye. They also have a handful of computers for both children and adults. Parking is easy off the backside of the building. I can't wait till the seed library returns in February and March for folks to take home and start their summer gardens. So grateful for public library system and can't wait to explore more more in the year ahead!

    Photos
    College Avenue Branch Library
    College Avenue Branch Library
    College Avenue Branch Library - Kid area

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    Kid area

    The Indianapolis Public Library - West Perry Branch

    The Indianapolis Public Library - West Perry Branch

    5.0(7 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    Wow! I was on the hunt for a new-to-us library on Yelp and stumbled upon this stunning newer…read morelibrary in the West Perry (south Indy) area. The sleek Scandinavian design of the exterior had me at "hello". Spoiler alert: the inside is just as beautiful. The space features large wrap around windows, a fireplaces, sleek lines and a dedicated children's and teens section that are clearly spaced off from the adult section of the library. I also appreciated their clean bathrooms and outdoor covered patio overlooking a treeline. The children's section was laid out really well with books displayed in a way that's easier for short kiddos to read the titles and explore what's available. We ended up leaving with a variety of recipe, travel and kid books. I can't believe there weren't more people here. It was a 20 min. drive from downtown but worth every bit of the drive. Can't wait to return!

    One of my favorite things about living in Marion County is having access to ALL of Indianapolis'…read morelibraries, and there are many! This location is our current favorite, almost solely for their kids section. You'll find a stack of grocery baskets when you first enter, and we love that. We like to get enough kids books to have at least 2 bedtime stories a night, plus extra for our calming nook. Each kid can grab a basket and so do I. I believe they have plastic bags available to take your collection of books home, but I use reusable totes for the 20-30 books that we end up with. They do a great job of putting a nice selection right up front of books that compliment the season and current events, and that includes children's books. That's the first place I look before we head to the children's section. Not only is the children's section large, it is sectioned off quite nicely, so I don't feel the anxiety of trying to keep their voices low. I feel completely secure in allowing the 3 of us to wander around, independently, collecting books. My girls enjoy the games available to them on the computers and also the interactive area that holds Legos and fun seating. Books are also separated by topics and themes for the younger/learning to read crowd and placed into bins with photos as labels. I absolutely love this and it's helped my 5 and 6 year olds pick out some really great, age appropriate books. There is also a really pretty outdoor patio that you enter thru the children's section, where you could sit and read or study. I would love to check it out when the weather is nicer. This location also has a step stool up at check out, so younger kids can check out their own books. The girls have their own cards and check out the books they've chosen themselves, and they really enjoy the process of checking out and loading up their books on their own. This location is definitely a gem for local youth and their parents.

    Photos
    The Indianapolis Public Library - West Perry Branch - Main entrance

    Main entrance

    The Indianapolis Public Library - West Perry Branch - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    The Indianapolis Public Library - West Perry Branch

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    Southport Library

    Southport Library

    4.6(7 reviews)
    8.6 mi

    Working remotely at the Southport branch was a great experience. Free wi-fi at Indianapolis Public…read moreLibrary branches is always a plus. It was easy to find and connect to the network. I always enjoy browsing and checking out books when I stop by. The seed library was the highlight. There were many varieties and other gardening resources that make home gardening accessible. I also enjoyed the layout. There were cubicle type spaces for semi-private working and easy device charging. There were also group private spaces and collaborative spaces. Working next to the collaborative spaces was a little distracting because I could hear others' conversations, but other than that it was a great experience.

    We are slowly but surely working our way through all of the libraries within the IPL system. This…read morepast weekend, we popped into the Southport location because we have never visited and found ourselves on the southside. It was a great time to check it out with all of the summer reading program activations under way. We quickly made our way to the kids section to pick up a few audiobooks and baby books, and then grabbed a few recipe books as well. The staff was very friendly when we went to check in our summer reading chart and retrieve a prize. Overall a positive and smooth experience. I would say this isn't one of the more refreshed or stunning locations. I wish it had more natural light and kids activity stations similar to some of the other spots. They all are getting so sexy-it's hard to keep up!

    Photos
    Southport Library - Knitting and crochet group for charity.

    Knitting and crochet group for charity.

    Southport Library - Library entrance

    Library entrance

    Southport Library - Decent stash of kids vox audio books (Spanish and English)

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    Decent stash of kids vox audio books (Spanish and English)

    Carmel Clay Public Library

    Carmel Clay Public Library

    4.9(8 reviews)
    14.1 mi

    I have been to the Joyce Winner West Branch of CCPL a couple times. Joyce Winner was a local…read morephilanthropist and avid book reader. When she passed, her husband James Winner, seized the opportunity to support the newly constructed library in her honor. Joyce was well known in the community and within local book clubs. Today, her legacy is vivid throughout the beautiful library facility in West Clay. There is a photo of Joyce in the Children's Area of the library. The library is new, upscale with lot's of book-themed art and fixtures. The children's section has a great selection of colorful and award winning titles. There are study areas upstairs offering a quiet work space. And of course, there is free WiFi throughout out. The librarians are wonderfully helpful and engaging. This week, I took my granddaughter to the library. We read several books by the cozy fireplace in the sunroom area. I also read the daily newspapers. We picked up several of the monthly craft kits available to stimulate creativity of the patrons. My granddaughter also worked on the large mosaic puzzle that changes monthly in the library. Books that are not available at this branch can be ordered from other branches. There is street parking out front. This is a wonderful little library with a lot of interesting activities. Don't forget to pick up the Spice of the Month packet at the front desk (the April spice is rosemary).

    I'm a big library gal and have enjoyed having two Carmel library locations! You can return or check…read moreout books to either location and there's even a mini book drop-off window. The staff here are amazing and always so happy you're there. They hide a little stuffed animal in the kid's area for kids to find and always have a little kids recipe and mix that you can pick up over there too. They also have an adult dinner recipe and spice mix each month that you can pick up and shares info about a book to learn more. Such a cool idea. There is a main book area, upstairs private rooms, and a side room that's full of windows and beautiful natural light. It's quiet and peaceful, a great respite in The Village of West Clay neighborhood. We're glad you're here!

    Photos
    Carmel Clay Public Library - View from above

    View from above

    Carmel Clay Public Library - Children's Area

    Children's Area

    Carmel Clay Public Library - Cozy fire

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    Cozy fire

    Indiana State Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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