With more children and adults at home while efforts to contain the coronavirus continue, The Indianapolis Public Library is responding by making more eBooks and eAudiobooks available in its collection of free electronic resources found at indypl.org.
The Library is allocating resources to increase access to online materials for children, teens and adults through its various vendors. The new purchases aim to reduce the wait times for individuals who want to acquire more popular items, and to offer more options to those willing to dive deeper into its catalog. For example, digital distributor OverDrive has a “Lucky Day” section of popular titles with no wait list, and is also offering unlimited checkouts of its Duke Classics collection, including titles like Moby Dick and Jane Austen.
In addition to children’s eMaterials on such platforms as Axis 360, TumbleBooks, Kanopy, and OverDrive/Libby, parents and caregivers can visit the Library’s wide-ranging blog for a variety of topics. These include sharing stories and games, book suggestions, book and video read-alongs, and tips for talking to kids about the coronavirus. The blog also has links to help kids with homework and subject-based research topics.
The blog currently features a section on how to use the Library while it is closed, including tips and guides for how to use all these online resources. All of this is free with the use of a Library card, and Marion County residents who do not have a Library card can get one at indypl.org anytime.
During the closure, Library staff will be available daily to offer reading suggestions and reference help at 317-275-4184, via text at 317-333-6877, or through the contact link on the Library’s website. As for the Library’s return policy, any physical items that are or become overdue will have due dates extended until the Library reopens. Items placed on hold will remain for patrons to pick up upon reopening.