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.

World’s Largest Football Bracket

Visitors can follow the progress of the NFL football playoffs leading up to the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis by viewing "The World’s Largest Football Bracket" at Central Library. This massive monument to the playoffs, measured at 120 feet wide by 54 feet high and encompassing four stories of the Library, can be found on the north glass wall of Central Library's Atrium. Sanctioned by the NFL and the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, the display includes QR Code technology that can link users of smart phones to up-to-the-minute news articles related to both the AFC and NFC playoffs. The display, open to the public during regular Central Library hours, will be updated as the playoffs progress through the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 5.