Reviews of Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library (Library)

Cherrita

My crew and I were not expecting to see such beauty before going in. Wow did it blow us away! Love the integration between old and historic to new and modern when you walk throughout the library. Has plenty of quiet areas as well as children learning areas. Lots of different things to do here besides reading and checking out books. Children were playing with robots, drawing, watching videos, streaming internet, etc. On the upper floors, things were more quieter and more focused on academics and education. I'm so glad we stopped by here!

H L

IMCPL's catalog is as extensive as its staff are friendly, helpful, and remarkably good at what they do. I love IMCPL! Definitely check out Central Library for the beautiful views and great light, and take your time pacing its well-groomed aisles for books you always needed but never knew existed.

Pin Win Wong

Love the fact it has coffee cafe inside so I can get quick cup of coffee.

kurt hodgin

I love this building

Danielle Harris

The Indianapolis Central Library is one of the most beautiful wedding venues downtown Indianapolis. We love the soaring architecture, streaming natural light, and the cozy private courtyard to do bridal party photos. If you are looking for a bright, airy, and modern venue... the Library is the perfect spot! -Danielle Harris Photography

Chris Meadows

Friendly people, excellent facilities, lots of books. What's not to like?

Mzscorpio82 Tyson

Nice place

Keith O

Excellent Library, computer resources and free cultural and music events in Clowes Hall.

Kayla O'Neill

The top floor is the perfect place to do your homework over the weekend

Andrew James

A fantastic and lavish facility. It is one of my favorite places in Indianapolis. My only complaint is that they make no attempt to control the noise level in the children's section. And parking is really not difficult at all.

Dave Johnson

Oustanding facility. I wish I lived closer to take advantage of this incredibly lavish use of public funds.

Maggie Buchanan

All of you complaining about homeless people making use of the free services that the library offers are showing some ugly colors. The architecture is beautiful, the staff are kind, and the selection is insane. Support your libraries.

PARMAR UDAY

Butifull very nice

Neil A Ruch

This is a place where you can spend all day long without even realizing that. Very good atmosphere, very interesting books to read, comfortable chairs, friendly staff. Great variety of books. Love to visit here.

Kellyann Walker

A lovely library with 2 floors of children's stuff. It was amazing!

James Hall

Great building and library. One of the neatest places downtown. BUT there is a big homeless/loitering problem. You’ll see people asleep in chairs with their belongings and hanging around the entrance asking for money. I’ve heard about lice issues consequently on the furniture. It’s a sad situation but a real deterrent.

Chauncey Black

Can i say ghetto dirty and trashy full of gangsters dealing drugs

randi charters

Main branch of the library, has just about everything you might need.

Kurt

It once was an awesome library but since the upgrade is kinda blah.

Marissa Kozlowski

This is such a nice place and a great building. I’m so happy it’s here and open and so close to downtown where it’s convenient to reach for many people.

Kevin Bird

Beautiful building with computer lab.

Elvia Sandoval

Love the place , love the architecture.A great place to spend an afternoon with the family ,great service at their cafe too.

Valley Girl

We really like this library!!! This place is huge and it's very nice inside and they have a coffee shop. Security is ok on the inside. Alot of homeless people though. They are drinking and smoking dope right in plain sight. Be aware of your surroundings at all times!!! My granddaughter loves the awesome children's area. The light skinned and the dark skinned women and caucasian male that wears glasses that work in the childrens area, seem to get frustrated because children are being children!?!?!?!?!?!? It is a CHILDRENS AREA and if they can't handle that, they NEED to work in another area or find another job!!!! CHILDREN WILL BE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

indyfan Judy

Love the library. Not so much the automatic parking garage at the Central downtown.

Eddie Smith

Great library.

Silke Fleischer

What an impressive library! Excellent architecture where modern glass and old stone are beautifully integrated. Clean, perfect temperature, lots of space to work and read, power outlets, wifi, a cafe, and a fantastic view of downtown. Furthermore there are many thoughtful exhibits with attention to detail.

Daniel Critchfield

I like the Indianapolis downtown library a lot. It is a great place to read and study although at times there can be some rather loud and annoying people to put up with. And that includes the librarians. For some reason they often don't use their library voices when talking to patrons. Very strange. Also I find the lighting at the study tables to be too bright. The shades need to be adjusted so the lighting doesn't shine directly into your eyes. The bathrooms have old blow dryers that don't work very well and all of them are placed at a height that seems to be convenient only for children and the handicapped. Most adults have to bend over uncomfortably to be able to use them. Also I love the views outside from the upper levels but the chairs are always turned with their backs to the outside. I guess this might be to keep homeless people from hiding the fact that they are sleeping by the security guards? The temperature is often not really comfortable. I'm sure that's to keep the energy costs down. I also wish the hours were later. Other than those annoying things, I do love the library!

Jared Campbell

i could spend all day looking for a book

Karen OBrien

A spectacular space and helpful staff.

Enrique Martinez Sanchez

There´s a lot of gang homeless people. Looks like a shelter instead of a library. Besides that, the facilities are beautiful!

Sara Swinehart

This library has a great view of downtown and the staff here are friendly

Quentin Smith

Wonderful place for everybody, adults, kids, families. Promise you that at the Library there is something for everyone. Check out the Library today nearest you!

Kem Solomon

Amazing library!

Trenton Snyder

Fantastic, all around

Michael Redd

(2011) Equestria we Building Core of Light is Air, Earth, Fire, Life, Magic, Tech, Undead, and Water. Changelings attack Ponyville and the Skylanders we help them Ponies. they're the LOST the Luna and Celestia you we fine the Princess Cadence.

Jennifer Moore

Family favorite, kids love the green room, computers, robots, and all of the books. I enjoy the books, events, computers, and family game night.

Lisa Graham

Staff was nice and courteous.

Austin Graff

Indy's central library is AMAZING! Here's why: 1) Space: It's MASSIVE with floor after floor of literally every type of book you can imagine. It's historic so it transports you into a different world when you first enter. As you go deeper into the library, you'll see how they merge the old with the new with the beautiful new architecture they added. 2) Programs: Out of every library I've been to in the world, this one has the best programming. For example, the first floor is mainly for kids of all ages and on a Saturday morning, they literally had 6-10 different events and story times within a 45-minute period of time. My toddler LOVED it. Like all public libraries, it's free. If you are visiting Indy with kids, it's perfect for them and for you too. With thousands of books, you are bound to find something to keep you entertained. It's also central to downtown and offers great views of the city.

Mary Lester

Its a great place. The staff is ever so helpful. Really nice and peaceful atmosphere very conducive to learning and reading. Very safe for children. Very good atmosphere, very interesting books to read, comfortable chairs, friendly staff. Great variety of books. Love to visit here.

R. B.

HUGE library. It's beautiful.

Matt Jewell

This library is beautiful! There are quiet rooms to meet with a study group or just get some work done by yourself. Its a great place to bring kids of any age to check out some books or just spend a fun afternoon checking out all the fun stuff to do within in library. The staff is warm and helpful, I was able to get a library card within 10 minutes and was even shown all the cool features that were included with my new card.

Laurie Budlong-Morse, MAMFT

This is one of our favorite places in the city, love it for my young kids. Beautiful building, helpful staff, tons of amazing books, great toys to play with, even an interactive "movie screen". I feel like it is one of the city's best kept secrets as it is rarely very busy. I know this library is helping me give my kids a foundation in a love for reading that will last a lifetime.

Cherise Davis

Great place for kids to visit

Sanjay Majumder

Nice place. Has bike parking area.

C Clark

Its able to be explored. Has places to sit and quietly read as well

Kyle Arosen

A wonderful place to spend time with the family. Very clean, and many resources.

Christopher Buie

Make time to visit

Jeffery Baise

My grandson and I love to go to Indianapolis Public Library on Sundays lots of things for kids to do they can build robots build things with Legos read books play on the stage in The Green Room and meet lots of friends very nice place

Tom H

Great place to catch up on work or read. Love how the old library is incorporated into the new one!

Henry Bravata

Great place for homework

Kristi Billington

There is a parking garage, but not free.

Laura Fletcher

Guy on computer was too loud and was annoying.

Constantin Michal

This particular library is an awesome resource for doing research on school projects, and very quiet and peaceful to come and read!

Samuel Satterfield

One of the best libraries I've ever been too.

Nathaniel Edmunds Photography

If you can't decide if you're a modern or traditional bride then the Central Library will offer you both. And...both are unbelievably beautiful. Inclement weather? No problem. There are plenty of places to take photos indoors and under cover. It is just a beautiful location for a wedding ceremony and reception. We've loved every wedding we've photographed here.

Peter Flockhart

Great library! Beautiful building with a wonderful staff. The host great community events and provide a great service to the city

Nat Wood

Happy you here for me on Sunday

Isaac Whitley

There are a lot of activities for kids and trainings for adults. The staff and security are vigilant so always feel safe.

dummy4app dummy4app

A really excellent facility overall. I enjoy working there and also bringing our toddler to play. No bad experience in the last two years I have been visiting. As with any public place being watchful about your belongings and surroundings would not hurt.

Master Over You

Excellent place for a peace of mind and knowledge!!!

Connie Brinkley

Great place to learn computer skills basics

Lee Russell

Gr8 place to use the computer

Mimi Brown

It was very helpful, but I think they need REAL POLICE in there. I witnessed some disturbing things while I was on the computer. Made me uncomfortable. Maybe I picked the WRONG day.

Shanean Tabor

This location is the best library in Indianapolis. It has an outdoor dining area, cafe, theater and weekly activities the family can enjoy.

Veronica Berry

I love the ambiance

Vincent Morretino

The library is a great resource for anyone who needs it, but just be aware that since it is downtown the restrooms are sometimes used as a bathing station for the less fortunate. I've seen some things that I will never be able to unsee and honestly, it has kept me away for about 4 years now.

Jin xSounds

Does this place allow color printing for school projects? (also ignore the star rating i just have a question

Riz M

Incan stay here all day everyday. Free wifi, lots of books, free dvd rentals and a good place to chill.

cjordan

My wife and I love it here! Honestly, with as nerdy as this will sound, on our days off, if we want to head downtown for a day out in Indy, we visit the CLASSIC WING of this library just for the visual appeal alone. I've even brought my SLR camera in, because the original wing that was built in the 1870's, has a gorgeously artistic architecture and if you skip this portion of the library, I don't really see the point in going. The more modern areas will have kids running around, and sketchy visitors, but the classic wing is where you can sit next to the fireplace with a book and have silence and relaxation. They may even offer tours of the original rooms in the library. You have to check it out, it's an amazing landmark of Indiana history!

Jake Pondet

Great library. I love taking my kids here.

Craig Johnson

Outstanding selections of books for any subject that you can imagine.

Kyle Hurtley

Great place to spend some time. Checkout out the fireplace in the fiction section

Dave Thomas

Always willing to help you with anything. I can't imagine a town without a library. Facility is very nice and clean. Parking can be tricky but not to bad.

Graciela Baeza Martinez

Excellent place, my 5 years old daughter loves this place as well!

BRYAN Williams 22

Nice and Peaceful inside but outside is nothing but homeless people and drug dealers all over the place

Charles lamd

Nice place with kid

James Alexander-Whaley

A great library. the only problem being user error. I don't have a flash drive, thanks to nintendo all i had micro sd cards and on me. but not being able to play puzzle quest aside it's a great place.

rachael app

Great public library with plenty of activities and other opportunities. It's clean, easy to navigate and has convenient parking garage.

Bonnie Costello

This library discriminates against the homeless in order to put people who are fortunate enough to have clean clothes and a place to rest their head at ease. Anyone who is complaining about another human beings presence in a PUBLIC library simply because they LOOK POOR needs to gain perspective. There should be an outreach center because the area is heavily populated by people without shelter and it’s ridiculous that the public central library are treating human beings who need HELP like vermin. Shame on anyone bothered by poor people! And PS:: libraries are the SLEEPIEST place on earth

Louise Achin-Smith

The staff are wonderful in all the libraries. The main library has by far the best selection but the branches have a reasonable selection for the size of the facilities.

Big red Big red

I love the Indianapolis

Damien Hayes

One of the greatest libraries in the country. From architecture to reading selection this library has it all.

Katherine Zahid

I love this library! There are so many things to see and do inside the central library that it seems like it might be confusing but I have never had an issue finding a movie or book. The online system is extremely user friendly and allows me to put in requests to hold items, renew items, and reminds me when a hold item is now available. The elegance of the central library is so inspiring and I always find something interesting to take home with me.

pamela morphew

The main branch is one of my comfort zones. I could spend an entire day there.

crystal caston

every time i go i feel bad because of the people there that are homeless . I wish they had a out reach service at the library for them. why do the people in Indianapolis act like the homeless people are not hanging outside of the library and in the library!! well i like the library but some of the people int he library are so noisy. O mg i try to do home work and they have their head phone blasting next to me. .

ALL PRAISES TO THE MOST HIGH

Main library is a great place, very nice but the hours of operation are HORRIBLE! Most days the library closes at 5pm. Great place to study and bring kids.

Gene Verbeke

Wonderful place to go and try out new authors

Mariana Smith

Excellent!!! You must visit this library if you find yourself in Indy! It's amazing.. Quiet, Clean, Beautiful, Outstanding !!!

Samantha H

We love this library! The kids love the play area and the books. I love the movie selection and that there's a parking garage, so if its cold and rainy, we can park inside. Staff are super helpful amd theres a small outside park area. We visit here about every week.

Kyle Kent

I attended a wedding here about a year ago. Super cool venue; would love to go back during normal hours to see what it's like.

Deon McKinney

They are nice people you'll really feel welcome

Tab Bockelman

Your platform will not renew books. Why!?

Latia Pearson

I was racial profiled.

Kimberly Watts

Love taking the children here always something to keep them entertained

Robin Glover

I love this library.

Joey Ngai

Absolutely stunning library, the best one I've been to. Not only it's beautiful, open, bright, it's also very roomy. The whole first floor was dedicated to kids, which is amazing, with lots of books and activities for the kids to do. I'm glad I walked 25 min from my hotel to visit the library, I wished I had more time to spend at this library!

son moore

This place used to be really nice. Now its full of homeless people everywhere and no one does or says anything about it. The computers are disgusting from people eating and drinking. Everywhere you turn there is someone sleeping. I would rather pay FedEx to use there computers than ever go to this library again.

Lindsay Buck

This library is amazing from top to bottom. The atrium is breathtaking. It's a great place to take children. They have some great programs in place. Plus, you're surrounded by books and the opportunity for infinite knowledge...all for free (besides parking)!

muckermaffick.dm .gmail.com

Great space to congregate

Zackary Prince

I just discovered this library thanks to a great event. The architecture is amazing and everything is bright and open. The staff is friendly and there are plenty of computers.

Laura Logue Bayird

The layout of the building was not only beautiful but easy to figure out. The staff were very helpful and knowledgeable.

Hagen Royer

It's ok if you 10-17 looking for a book for a class.

Ross Johnson

Coolest library I've ever been to!

Emma Y

(Translated by Google) The very beautiful museum is also very large, and the entrance is solemn. When you go in, you change the style, the combination of modern and classical. Worth a visit, parking at the door is very convenient (Original) 非常漂亮的博物馆，也很大，门口庄严肃穆，进去便换了一个风格，现代与古典的结合。值得一游，门口停车很方便

Pat Simmons

Great place. It's huge and has everything laid out well. I enjoy spending hours here. The coffee shop is very nice too.

Kate Neff

Please do not go here alone, especially if you are a woman. IT IS NOT SAFE. I was paying the parking meter on the street across the main entrance of the library at noon on a Sunday in broad daylight and a man rushed up to me grabbed me around the waist and pushed himself against me, and tried to rob me. When a cop drove by he yelled at the man to back off. Another man was standing behind the first assailant and yelled to the cop "Nah, man we're with her." As a young, female student coming to the library I was extremely upset at the possibility of this assault furthering. The cop told me I should know better than to be out here and didn't even get out of the front seat. I ran inside the building to get away from this men before the cop drove off. Two hours later, a man tried to talk to me in the special collections area. I dismissed him, then he started masturbating behind me. Another women called him out on it, and we walked to the help desk. The security team said they think they know who it is. Clearly, this physical assault and public masturbation were not irregular. TODAY SOMEONE WAS STABBED IN THE CHEST AT THE LIBRARY AND FOUND ON THE STREET. What is Indy Library and IMPD going to do to protect citizens who want to study and learn from what could be a wonderful public resource? It is a beautiful building with a variety of media and book resources and a great view of Indianapolis, but it is too dangerous to risk going there again.

Brishen V

This amazing building housed some even more amazing materials.

Mike Ryker

Excellent place to do some focused work. Great wifi and nice views.

Keith Smith

Nice clean has everything you need and want out of a library although there are a few bums hanging around its a great place for learning

Moses Wolfe

Gigantic imposing structure here on a slight upgrade, the covered driveway entrance shields us from storms. Their huge parking lot is across from a military memorial park that should also be paid a visit to honor the fallen patriots. The plastic multi-colored horse in the lobby is a unique item, great idea. On the bus line. Pleasant helpful attendant in computer room asks me if I needed any help, she gets a medal for that. She also enforces a strict quiet policy that's really appreciated. Money well-spent here.

Cherie Darkblue

I met a dear friend here and will never forget our day we shared.

Mariana Morales

I love it