East 38th Street Branch

SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT
Closed	10–8	10–8	10–8	10–6	10–6	10–5

Meet the Branch Manager

Contact Shanika

Shanika Heyward

Greetings! My name is Shanika Heyward, Manager of the East 38th Street Branch, formerly known as Emerson. Today's public libraries have been transformed to become great educational sources. Please stop by and let me share some of IndyPL's hidden online treasures like Learning Express Library, featuring more than 300 practice tests, or Testing and Education Reference Center with information on certifications, college scholarships, and more. I am on a mission to make the East 38th Street branch the community's place. Please help me by supporting and promoting our resources, services, and programs.

About East 38th Street Branch

The Emerson Branch Library opened in October, 1957, in a frame house at 3642 N. Emerson Avenue. Books and people quickly crowded the house and the need for a larger building was immediately apparent.

A new 7,500 square foot building in the same location opened in March, 1962. Over the years, space was needed for the addition of computers that reduced the number of study tables. This branch served the community until 2003.

In mid 2003, a well-worn Emerson Branch Library closed its doors and reopened as the East Thirty Eighth Street Branch Library at 5420 East 38th Street. Located on three acres, the East 38th Street Library has 16,000 square feet and over 60 parking spaces. The building has a unique triangular shape and an open design with windows on all three sides.

One-half acre of the three-acre site is designated as wetlands. Over 300 butterfly plants are planted on the perimeter of the wetlands. There is a boardwalk through the wetlands with informational signage and additional plants along the boardwalk.

Branch Amenities & Services

26 Public Computers with Internet access and Microsoft Office
Color Printing Services
Free Wireless Internet Access
Copy Machine(s)
Meeting Room(s) Available for Public Reservation
Self-service Checkout
Credit Cards Accepted for Fee Payment