Play & Learn with Gymboree, Are You Smarter than a Scammer?, Career Center at East 38th Street, The Village: A Social Practice A

About this event

Play & Learn with Gymboree

10:30am - 11:00am

Fort Ben Branch

Participating in a diverse class of physical, social, and cognitive developmental skills creates a dynamic class where younger children benefit from watching older children and older children benefit from being leaders. This program is a great opportunity for siblings to experience class together, or for children and adults can grow together!

This program is made possible by Everwise Foundation through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.

Are You Smarter than a Scammer?

10:30am - 12:30pm

Pike Branch

Scammers keep evolving, but the backbone of their tactics remain the same. We will learn about the most common scam types and some terminology to help you develop a greater understanding of how to avoid falling prey to an online scam. We will discuss several example texts and emails, as well as talk through some scam scenarios to help you develop a plan before you need it.

Join the Tech Learning Team for this enrichment course to answer the question, Are you smarter than a scammer?

This program is made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.

Career Center at East 38th Street

11:00am - 2:00pm

East 38th Street Branch

Made possible by Office of Lawrence Township Trustee Steve Talley through a grant to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.

The Village: A Social Practice Art Session

11:00am - 1:00pm

Warren Branch

You may have seen The Village at SPARK on the Circle from August through the Taylor Swift Eras Tour (here's an IndyStar article about it), and now that the weather is cold, this community artwork is coming indoors.

The Village is a large-scale fiber piece made of pompoms and latch hook sections put together by participants. Whether it’s two people making pompoms together, helping each other attach pompoms to the canvas, or afterward sharing this simple hand skill with friends and family, The Village encourages a sense of belonging.

Social Practice Art focuses on the interaction between participants. What is made is a souvenir. The activity has a long cultural history within the fiber arts—quilting bees, sewing circles, knitting groups, and any club over the centuries where women of all ages and cultural backgrounds gathered together to create.

The Village is composed of 13 individual panels that fit together to make one 24-foot by 8-foot composition. Mary Jo Bayliss takes individual panels into the community and pompoms are attached to the panel. These pompoms create texture and relief amid latch hook to create a design of heart hands, butterflies, snakes, guitars, and circles. After the piece is complete, it will be displayed at Tube Factory Artspace. Big Car Collaborative has sponsored this work, under the direction of Mary Jo Bayliss, with support from The Indianapolis Public Library, Ivy Tech Community College, and other community locations for social creation.

Registration is not required—drop in for a few minutes or the whole time. Check out the other days, times, and library branches where you can join in with The Village here.

If you're interested in collective creativity, check out this list of mostly-books about Social Practice Art. It's sure to inspire!

Book Pairings: Classic & Contemporary

1:30pm - 3:00pm

College Avenue Branch

For the December meeting, the discussion will encompass both books!

*Meetings in September and November will be on the SECOND Tuesday of the month, due to planned Library closures.

Adult Book Club at West Perry

2:00pm - 3:00pm

West Perry Branch

Join us for West Perry's new book club! Whether you're a cozy mystery fan or love reading about fantastical worlds, all are welcome.

Crafternoon at West Indianapolis

2:30pm - 4:00pm

West Indianapolis Branch

Crafternoon at West Indianapolis is an arts and crafts club. You can bring your current creative project to work on or use our supplies to start something new! Everyone is welcome. Join us every Monday at 2:30 p.m. for an afternoon of crafting, conversation, and being creative.

Waterway Exploration

4:00pm - 5:00pm

East 38th Street Branch

Explore the world of waterways by tackling hands-on challenges that uncover the power and complexity of rivers. Build bridges and dams, design a boat, and test your creativity and problem-solving skills. This program is designed for kids ages 6-12.

Adult Book Discussion at Martindale-Brightwood

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Martindale-Brightwood Branch

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

Teen Zone at Eagle

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Eagle Branch

Join other teens and choose your own fun! We play games, make art and crafts,and other fun activities.

Meet us in the Program Room to grab a snack and make new friends!

Books & Rooks Chess Club

5:30pm - 8:00pm

Central Library

Would you like to gain experience playing chess? Are you already experienced but looking for another outlet for over-the-board chess? Books & Rooks Chess Club is here for you! With casual play and an unrated tournament (free and open to everyone, no USCF membership required), Monday night is chess night at Central Library!

Drop-in Craft at Haughville

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Haughville Branch

July: making your own stamp/creating a linocut print of your own.

August: camp crafts; including friendship bracelets, fortune tellers, and more.

September: watercolor painting.

October: paper dolls.

November: crochet and knitting.

December: holiday card upcycling.

Craft drop-in is located in the community room, on the left side of the hallway after you enter the building. To your left when you enter will be a variety of craft options, coloring pages, and activity books available to grab from the table and sit anywhere available on the other side of the room with. Staff will always be available in the room to walk you through how to complete the crafts and to answer any questions.

It tends to vary in noise level, typically louder when younger children attend, but each time we do have calm instrumental music playing in the background. We have fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, and sunglasses available for use during the program for anyone who wants to!

Career Charting

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Beech Grove Branch

Feeling stuck?

Unsure about your next career move? Wondering if there's something more?

Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you gain clarity, discover new possibilities, and create a path toward meaningful work.

You'll leave with

✓ Greater clarity

✓ Increased confidence

✓ Practical next steps

Perfect for

• Career changers

• Job seekers

• Returning professionals

• Anyone ready for a fresh start

This is two-part series:

Facilitated by Beverly Barr, Founder of Raise the BARR, Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Space is limited to ensure personalized attention for all participants.

This program is made possible by the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.

How Do I Know What’s Real?

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Warren Branch

Join the Tech Learning Team as they help you learn to evaluate your internet searches, filter out the online noise, and find the tell-tale signs of generative AI. Discover tactics to help verify the information that you find online and develop stronger critical thinking skills. This class includes several real-world examples to help you practice these techniques.

This program is made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.

Stitch Some Support at Southport

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Southport Branch

Come and work on projects that will be donated to local charities or if you have your own project in progress, bring it along! We're happy to work together and share advice as we work. Some supplies and in-house tools will be available.

3D Printing at Central Library

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Central Library

Adults ages 18 and up are invited to learn the basics of 3D printing from concept to creation using Tinkercad, the S5 Ultimaker, and other 3D printers. This program will be held in Central Library's Makerspace.

Mahjong - Open Play

6:00pm - 7:30pm

College Avenue Branch

Drop in for a pickup game of Mahjong.

Making Together

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Glendale Branch

Join us for a hands-on community activity with the artist team of Vanessa Monfreda and Gina Lee Robbins. Participants will contribute to pages of a collaborative collage book in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. All materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to contribute material (photos, magazines, personal records, etc.) to explore themes like community, freedom and their American experience. The finished art book will be exhibited and included in the library’s permanent collection. (Note that donated material will not be returned.)

In memory of Ken McCune by Karen McCune.

Intro to Watercolor

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Spades Park Branch

Have you touched watercolor since you had a set of Prang in grade school? Maybe you've been secretly wanting to learn, but are not sure where to begin? These classes are being offered in partnership with the Indianapolis Art Center. Supplies will be provided and participants will leave with their own work, and some skills and plans to continue learning on their own.

In the meanwhile, consider this list It's Never Too Late (Or Too Early) to Be an Artist (And Yes, You Can Do It!).

This program is made possible by Danny & Debbie Dean and the Danny R. Dean Fund.

Intro to 3D Needle Felting

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Irvington Branch

3D Needle Felting will explore the basics of needle felting while creating your own animals (real or imagined) or other items. Under Jared's guidance, this program uses wool to form and decorate figures.

Participants in this workshop MUST be 13 years or older, and class size is limited based on supervision and tools.

Get excited (or follow up) with this list of recommendations: Stab That Wool!

Made possible by Danny & Debbie Dean and the Danny R. Dean Fund.

English Conversation Circle

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Southport Branch

This class focuses on casual conversation. We discuss topics on American culture, idioms, phrasal verbs, some grammar, and much much more! Facilitators are TESOL trained.

Introduction to Debate - Part 2!

6:00pm - 7:15pm

College Avenue Branch

Building on the fundamentals covered in the first series (Spring 2026), students will sharpen their skills in argumentation, rebuttal, and public speaking through engaging activities and lively practice debates. New students are welcome — no prior experience or attendance at the first series is required, just curiosity and a willingness to participate! NOTE: this is a six-week series, and will run from September 21th to November 9th (the Library will be closed on October 12th and November 2nd).

Big Table Night

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Nora Branch

Exactly what it sounds like. The Nora Branch will put out 4 big tables in our community room and anyone can come in and use them for gaming/homework/studying/socializing, etc. The room is open to anyone who is interested. Please ask at the information desk.

Adult Book Discussion at Wayne - First Monday Book Club

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Wayne Branch

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Qi Gong & Meditation for Everyday People

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Pike Branch

No special knowledge or experience needed. Come as you are.

Qigong: We’ll find ease and strength in the body through a series of flowing movements set to music. This practice is all standing (seated is also ok) and suitable for a broad range of abilities and body types. No mats required.

Meditation: Sitting in the quiet, returning to ease in the body and ease in the breathing. You are welcome to sit on the floor, in a chair, or lie down. There’s nothing to achieve or attain.

Sharing: At the end of practice, there is time to share reflections, feelings, and questions and hear what others have to share. It's ok to just listen, too.

Indy Community Yoga is a worker-run nonprofit cooperative that leads accessible movement, silent meditation, and mindful dialogue practices, all 100% free for 100% of people. Learn more at indycommunityyoga.org

This program is made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation with support from a contribution by Honda. Honda is dedicated to helping people reach their own life's potential.

Teen Gardening 101

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Pike Branch

Learn easy gardening basics like planting, soil, and plant care, plus simple hacks for creating your own garden at home, whether you’ve got a backyard, balcony, or just a sunny windowsill.

Fort Ben Dungeons and Dragons Club

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Fort Ben Branch

This event is part of an ongoing game campaign. Keep an eye out for more opportunities for new players.

MNO (Monday Night Occasion)

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Martindale-Brightwood Branch

School-aged children will have a fun evening with their families and other children their age to help jumpstart the school week while building social skills like confidence and empathy in a safe environment. Monday nights will alternate between family game nights, art, sensory play, and small world building.