Adult Service Library Programs in Hendricks County

by Ashley Dykton (ashley@wyrz.org)

Libraries are a great community resource. For adults in Hendricks County these libraries offer a place where you can socialize in book discussion groups, engage in monthly programming that teaches about genealogy, war/ military history and the history of Hendricks County. One can use the free online sources for tax help, job and educational resources. Libraries also have free apps that can be downloaded for audiobooks, newspapers, and for streaming music, tv shows and movies.  There are several libraries in Hendricks County where you can check out museum passes, the museums and availability vary by location.

Avon – Washington Township Public Library 

498 N Avon Ave

(317) 272- 4818

Hours: Monday- Thursday 9-8, Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-4, Sunday 2-5

Museum pass that is available to be checked out

• Indiana State Museum and Historical Sites Pass – Free admission for 4 guests to the Indiana State Museum and all 12 Historical Sites around the state, discounted $5 parking at the White River State Park garage.

Genealogy Resources

• You can visit the Heron Heritage room inside the library to use the library’s resources.
• Online data base can be accessed by visiting Huron Heritage Room (sirsi.net)

Games

• You can check out a variety of board games.

Downloadable Apps 

• Hoopla-   digital media service offered by the library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, graphic novels, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV!

*This library offers services to homebound residents

Danville Public Library 

101 S Indiana St

(317) 745- 2604

Hours: Monday- Thursday 9-7, Friday -Saturday 9-5, Sunday Closed

Museum passes that are available to be checked out 

• Indiana State Museum and Historical Sites Pass – Free admission for 4 guests to the Indiana State Museum and all 12 Historical Sites around the state, discounted $5 parking at the White River State Park garage.
• Eiteljorg Museum – Free admission for 2 adults and all children ages 17 and younger. They also provide 15% discount at the museum store, and a 10% discount at the café and free parking at the White River State Park Garage
• Indiana State Historical Society – Free admission for two adults and four children. Free parking at the lot off New York Street and a 10% discount at the market and café

Danville Public Library is the only library in Hendricks County where you can check out an Indiana State Parks carload pass. The pass can be checked out for 1 week and can only be renewed for an additional week. There can be no holds and the pass must be dropped off back to adult services. This pass cannot be used for camping costs or for admission into the Falls of Ohio Interpretive Center.

Genealogy Resources

• You can visit the Indiana room inside the library to use their resources
• Virtually you can use the online resources at Indiana Room – Danville-Center Township Public Library (dplindiana.org)
• Genealogy Nuts – History at your Fingertips: Using Hoosier State Chronicles and Indiana Memories with Justin Clark – a library program that teaches about genealogy

Free Puzzle Exchange

• Take a puzzle, leave a puzzle. This is a free program where you can bring your old puzzles to exchange for a used puzzle and once you’re done bring that one to exchange for another.

Adult Programs

• Author Talk and book signing.
• The Evening Book Club- a book club that meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6 to 8pm
• Educational Database that included: Career preparation, College Administration Testing, High School Equivalency center, adult core skills, and computer skill

Downloadable Apps

• Hoopla-   digital media service offered by the library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, graphic novels, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV!

Brownsburg Public Library

450 South Jefferson Street

(317) 852-3167

Hours: Monday- Thursday 9-8, Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5

Museum passes that are available to be checked out

• Currently the Brownsburg Library does not have museum passes to be checked out at this time but are hoping to participate in the future.

Free Puzzle Exchange

• Take a puzzle, leave a puzzle. This is a free program where you can bring your old puzzles to exchange for a used puzzle and once you’re done bring that one to exchange for another.

Adult Programs

• The Thursday Book Club meets monthly on the first Thursday of each month from 1pm-2pm.  They read a wide variety of bestselling books, alternating fiction and non-fiction titles month to month.  
• The Tuesday Afternoon Book Group is open to adults who are interested in reading and discussing a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles. This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 1pm-2pm
• Round Table Readers (aka Wednesday Night Book Club) is a book discussion group open to adults who are interested in reading and discussing a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles.  This book club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm.  
• Movie Matinee is every 4th Wednesday of the month for a movie in the afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30pm.

Downloadable Apps

• Hoopla-   digital media service offered by the library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, graphic novels, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV!
• Kanopy- offers thousands of streaming classic and indie films, award-winning documentaries, world cinema, and every subject imaginable from The Great Courses and PBS are all available through Kanopy’s streaming service

Clayton- Liberty Township Public Library

5199 Iowa St

(317) 539-2991

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 10-7, Friday 10-5, Saturday 9=1, Wednesday and Sunday Closed

Museum passes that are available to be checked out.

• Indiana State Historical Society – Free admission for two adults and four children. Free parking at the lot off New York Street and a 10% discount at the market and café

Genealogy Resources

• You can visit the Archives room that’s specific to Liberty Township.

Games

• You can check out a variety of board games and puzzles.

Downloadable Apps

• Hoopla-   digital media service offered by the library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, graphic novels, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV!
• Libby – ebooks and audiobooks

Adults Programs

• Adult Programs are focused on the theme for that specific month.
• Online research resources can be found by visiting For Adults – Clayton Liberty Township Public Library

Coatesville- Clay Township Public Library

4928 Milton Street 

(765)386- 2355

Hours: Monday and Tuesday 10-7, Wednesday – Friday 1-7, Saturday 10=5, Sunday Closed

Museum passes that are available to be checked out.

• Currently the library does not have museum passes to be checked out at this time but are hoping to participate in the future.

Adult Programs

• Mystery Book Club meets monthly on the last Thursday of each month.

Downloadable Apps

• Libby – ebooks and audiobooks

Plainfield- Guilford Township Public Library 

1120 Stafford Road

(317) 839-6602

Hours: Monday – Thursday 9-8, Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5 

Museum passes that are available to be checked out.

• Indiana State Museum and Historical Sites Pass – Free admission for 4 guests to the Indiana State Museum and all 12 Historical Sites around the state, discounted $5 parking at the White River State Park garage.
• Eiteljorg Museum – Free admission for 2 adults and all children ages 17 and younger. They also provide 15% discount at the museum store, and a 10% discount at the café and free parking at the White River State Park Garage
• Indiana State Historical Society – Free admission for two adults and four children. Free parking at the lot off New York Street and a 10% discount at the market and cafe.

Genealogy Resources 

• You can visit the Indiana room inside the library to use their resources
• Virtually you can use the online resources at https://www.plainfieldlibrary.net/services/genealogy/
• Family History Hounds: Homestead Records – This is a library program where expert Amber Oldenburg will teach you how to use 19th Century Homestead Records in your genealogy research.
• Genealogy 101: Getting Started – This library program features Sarah Wright, the Indiana Room attendant, who will discuss tips, tricks, and proper methods for digging through online records.

Games

• You can check out a variety of board games.

Downloadable Apps 

• Hoopla-   digital media service offered by the library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, graphic novels, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV!
• Libby – ebooks and audiobooks 
• Mango Languages- Language-learning software that teaches practical conversation in over 70 languages
• Freegal Music – an ad-free streaming and downloadable music service with over 16 million songs.  On the app you can create your own playlists, stream curated playlists, stream whole albums, or download music from legendary artists and today’s top artists. 200+ genres offered
• Kanopy- offers thousands of streaming classic and indie films, award-winning documentaries, world cinema, and every subject imaginable from The Great Courses and PBS are all available through Kanopy’s streaming service

Adult Programs

• Military Monday – an U.S. and global military history roundtable discussion group
• Clue: A Mystery Book Club – A book discussion group that focuses on mystery and crime novels, both classic and contemporary.
• Virtual Author Talk- an online 1 hour event with an author while they discuss their book
• Learn at the Library: Gale Courses Drop-In – Gale Courses are online, interactive, instructor led courses that run for 6 weeks with new sessions beginning every month. As a library card holder in good standing, you are entitled to these courses at no cost.
• Human Library Event – “Everyone has a story to tell. Learn more about the people in your community through candid, one-on-one conversations with local volunteers. Drop in for a twenty-minute conversation with one of our human “books” where they will share their life experience as a person with a disability, or as a minority, or other unique circumstance. Ask questions, unpack biases, and learn how to “unjudge” someone in this safe space.”

​2023 Adult Reading Challenge

• Finish reading 18 different books on the different prompts for a swag bag and a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card

Download the reading log here: 2023 Adult Reading Challenge Form (plainfieldlibrary.net)

*This library offers services to homebound residents

*Please note that the Plainfield Guilford Township Public Library does not participate in the Reciprocal Borrowing Program