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State Library Guide
K12 Academics Resource Library

Indiana Libraries: Free for Students, Parents & Teachers

What your Indiana public and state library gives you free with a card: research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, homework help, early literacy, and accessible reading.

Public Libraries
236
Locations
453
Annual Visits
22,235,717
Items Borrowed / yr
54,571,039
Your State LibraryBy the NumbersResearch DatabasesAccessible ReadingFind a LibraryOfficial Links
Your State Library

Indiana State Library

Every resident of Indiana has free access to a statewide library system run by Indiana State Library. With a local library card, students, parents, and teachers can use research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, and learning programs at no cost. Here is what is available and how to get it.

Worth knowing: Strong digital archives: Indiana Memory, Hoosier State Chronicles historic newspapers.
The state, by the numbers

Indiana public libraries at a glance

Public libraries
236
library systems in the state
Service locations
453
main libraries, branches & bookmobiles
Visits a year
22,235,717
in-person visits statewide
Items borrowed a year
54,571,039
total materials circulated
Program attendance
2,460,711
at library programs
Children's program attendance
1,416,798
at youth programs
Visits per resident
3
per person, per year
Source: U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Public Libraries Survey (FY 2024). View the data →
Free for students

Research databases: INSPIRE

INSPIRE is Indiana's free statewide research service.

Resources students can use inside INSPIRE include:

  • EBSCO Explora, MEDLINE & Academic/Business
  • Rosetta Stone (24 languages)
  • LearningExpress Library + Job & Career Accelerator
  • TeachingBooks (PreK-12)
  • Consumer Reports
  • Hoosier State Chronicles & Indiana Memory
For print-disabled readers

Accessible reading & talking books

Students and family members who cannot read standard print (because of a visual, physical, or reading disability such as dyslexia) can get free audiobooks and braille through Indiana Talking Book & Braille Library, part of the national NLS network and its BARD download service. The Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) at the Indiana State Library provides free audio, braille, and large-print plus BARD downloads; eligible Hoosiers apply.

Get started

Find a library & get a card

Use the official locator to find your nearest Indiana public library, hours, and how to get a card. Find a library →

Verify at the source

Official links

Indiana State Libraryhttps://www.in.gov/library/Find a libraryhttps://www.in.gov/library/