EVENTS & CLASSES

Featured Events

Free eBooks & eAudio @ Your Library: An Introduction

Do you have an iPod, iPad, Sony eReader, Nook, or other MP3 player or eReader? The Indianapolis Public Library will present the basics of searching for and downloading these eBooks and audiobooks to your computer, portable player or reader during the program, "Free eBooks & eAudio @ Your Library: An Introduction," throughout 2012 at Central Library, in the Knall Reading Room, 40 E. St. Clair Street.

Recently the Library announced that its eBook collection is now compatible with the Amazon Kindle eBook reader. Patrons can download popular and classic eBooks to a Kindle device or any mobile device running the free Kindle app. The Indianapolis Public Library also offers eBooks and audiobooks for use on a PC or Mac computer and popular mobile devices such as smartphones, MP3 players, iOS and Android devices, along with eBook readers such as the Barnes & Noble Nook and Sony Reader.

The Library's growing collection of new and popular downloadable eBooks is available through a partnership with OverDrive, Inc., a global leader in eBook distribution for libraries and schools. In addition to the OverDrive materials, patrons can download over 34,000 free public domain eBooks that never expire or count against a patron's loan limit. Patrons may copy them, give them away or re-use them under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with these e-books.

The "Free eBooks & eAudio @ Your Library" class will be held at Central Library on January 21, February 11, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3 and December 1 (all Saturdays) at 2 p.m. No registration is required.

Call 275-4100 for more information about this free Library program.

2012 CIBA Lecture Series

Bicycling enthusiasts are invited to experience the adventures of noted cyclists and learn about trends in the cycling industry during the 2012 Central Indiana Bicycling Association Lecture Series held throughout the winter and spring at Central Library, in the Clowes Auditorium, 40 E. St. Clair Street.

This year's lineup of programs includes:

"Come to Your Senses: A Celebration of Bicycle Travel" - Wednesday, January 18 at 7 p.m.

Bike traveling not only allows you to see the world, but to hear smell, touch and taste it as well. Willie Weir, author of Travels With Willie and Spokesongs, has dug through 30 years of bicycling experience to design a presentation based on the five senses. An audience favorite who is making his 10th appearance at the CIBA Lecture Series, Weir is a master storyteller and entertainer who will have attendees wanting to pack their panniers and pedal off to a world of adventure.

"Bike Vietnam 2011" - Wednesday, February 15 at 7 p.m.

In January 2011, an international team of nine cyclists pedaled over 600 miles through Vietnam to raise support for local education and development projects. John Hay will guide attendees through the journey with inspiring storytellling, photos and video. Along with fascinating images of Asian countryside and cityscapes, Hay will share stories describing encounters with the Vietnamese people and culture.

"Ian & Cheryl's Wild and Crazy Ride Through Two Continents: Vacation or Adventure? You Be the Judge" Wednesday, March 21 at 7 p.m.

Ian Seecof and Cheryl Sunman will describe their bicycling vacation around the coasts of Spain, North Africa and Portugal. But they have differing opinions on the necessities of such an expedition. They first fulfilled Cheryl's dream of a luxury motor-sail cruise for 74 tandems, prefaced by a pre-tour tapas crawl and on-bike tour of Barcelona. Their vacation ended with climbs through mountains with hair-raising descents, camel rides and pick-pockets in the Kasbah to meet Ian's sense of adventure. Each day was a race back to the ship before departure time to avoid being left behind.

"Bicycle Navigation Using a GPS" - Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m.

CIBA members Don Kirk and John Calhoun will help you plan and track your next cycling tour with a presentation through all the techie twists and turns to GPS competency. Attendees will learn GPS purchasing considerations, five methods of GPS navigation, setting the GPS and mapping software, online mapping resources and limitations, and creating routes and using via point placement.

Call 275-4099 for more information about this free Library program.

Classical Concerts at Central

Throughout the winter and spring, The Indianapolis Public Library will continue its popular series of free classical music presentations, "Classical Concerts at Central," in the beautiful Clowes Auditorium at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair Street.

Adults and families can experience the dynamic world of chamber music during these programs performed by members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. This program is made possible in part with support from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

"Classical Concerts at Central" will be presented on the following dates and times.

  • Sunday, January 22 at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m.

Call 275-4099 for more information about this free Library program.

Indy Youth Literature Conference: Authors Signing

Families and children are invited to meet some of their favorite authors and illustrators in children's literature during the "Indy Youth Literature Conference: Authors Signing" on Saturday, February 25 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Central Library, in the Atrium, 40 E. St. Clair Street.

This event is presented in conjunction with the Indianapolis Youth Literature Conference held that day at Central Library, which is co-sponsored by Kids Ink Booksellers and IUPUI.

Those attending this informal "meet the authors" event will be able to get up close and personal with three leading authors and illustrators. Shannon Hale is the New York Times bestselling author of six young adult novels, including the Newbery Honor book, Princess Academy. She co-wrote the popular graphic novel, Rapunzel's Revenge, along with its sequel, Calamity Jack, with husband Dean Hale.

Phillip Hoose is the widely-acclaimed author of books, essays, stories, songs and articles, including the National Book Award-winning book, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. He is also the author of the award-winning title, The Race to Save the Lord Our Bird, and was the National Book Award finalist for We Were There Too!: Young People in U.S. History, and was author of the Christopher Award-winning manual for youth activism, It's Our World Too!.

Nick Bruel is the author and illustrator of a number of children's books, including Bad Kitty, Bad Kitty Gets a Bath, Poor Puppy, Happy Birthday, and Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray. A former bookseller, Bruel uses his quirky sense of humor and cartooning skills to move from behind the bookstore counter and onto the shelves.

Book sales will be provided by Kids Ink Booksellers.

Call 275-4099 for more information about this free Library event.

Indiana History Live Listening Group at Irvington

Adults are invited to gather with fellow history buffs to listen to and discuss Indiana history topics heard on the WICR 88.7 FM radio program "Hoosier History Live" during the "Indiana History Live Listening Group at Irvington" presented each Saturday from 11:15 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Irvington Branch, 5625 E. Washington Street.

"Hoosier History Live" is a weekly radio adventure through Indiana history hosted by Nelson Price, historian and author of Indiana Legends and Indianapolis: Then and Now. The program includes a featured guest and topic, a call-in from The Roadtripper with a tip about a Hoosier heritage-related road trip, and a Hoosier History Trivia question that features a prize for the correct answer. Attendees can call in with questions during the program and participate in the trivia game.

The "Indiana History Live Listening Group at Irvington" will continue each Saturday through February 25.

Call 275-4450 for more information about this free Library program.

The Ennis Clare Band featuring the Irish Blessings Dancers

Enjoy the finest in traditional Irish dance music during a performance by the four-piece Ennis Clare band and Irish Blessings Dancers on Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m. at Central Library in the Clowes Auditorium, 40 E. St. Clair Street. This interactive family-friendly event will feature simple Irish dances, traditional music and sing-alongs from Ireland, Scotland and England.

Call 275-4099 to learn more about this free Library program.

Meet The Artists XXIV at Central Library!

The entire community is invited to view the works of locally prominent African-American artists during the 24th annual "Meet the Artists" exhibit February 3 through March 31 at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.

In celebration of the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis, this year's artistic theme is "A Post Super Bowl Extravaganza." Works representing a variety of artistic mediums will be presented by 15 local artists: Glenn Walker (portraits), Mychael Shane (scratch board), Lobyn Hamilton (mixed media), Gevoris McCrary (multi-media), Dee Miller (multi-media), Derrick Cater (sand art), Walter Johnson (oils), Dr. Mattie Lee Solomon (oil and water color), Kevin West (mixed media abstract), Paul D. Sinclair (fine tip markers), D. DelReverda-Jennings (sculpture), Michael Graves (graffiti art), Valerie J. Clarke-Tate (hand crafted jewelry and bags), Norma Sexton (mixed media), and James Caldwell (bow-ties). This year's youth artist is 15-year-old Indianapolis resident Quinci Miller.

The public is invited to meet all of the participating artists and enjoy an evening of cultural entertainment during the "Meet the Artists Gala!" on Saturday, February 18 from 5 - 10 p.m. at Central Library. In addition to viewing the artists' displays, individuals will hear performances by the Griot Drum Ensemble, poet Mijiza Soyini, the Vickie Daniel and Friends jazz and blues band, and the Krash Krew band. A number of local authors will be on hand to sell and sign copies of their books, including Joe Cooper (Don't Erase Your Dreams), D. DelReverda-Jennings (Babylon Root), Charles L. Terry (Poetry in the Key of Love), Rosalynn Shropshire-West (Black Vignettes: Essays in African-American History and Culture), as well as authors from Midtown Writers.

This year's "Meet the Artists" exhibit, which is open for viewing during regular Central Library hours, and gala celebration are sponsored by the Library's African-American History Committee.

Call 275-4022 for more information about this free Library event.