Connect with Tech: Northstar, Gardening Group at West Perry, Celebrate America's 250 with Genealogy, Native Garden Vision Boards

Connect with Tech: Northstar 10:00am - 12:00pm Central Library Discover a new way to build your digital skills! Our open-lab sessions let you learn at your own pace with staff available to guide you as needed. Northstar offers a wide range of learning topics such as: Essential Computer Skills: Phone Basics, Computer Basics, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows, and Mac OS Essential Software Skills: Microsoft Office, Google Docs Using Technology in Daily Life: Cybersercurity Basics, Social Media, Information Literacy, Career Search Skills, Your Digital Footprint, and Accessing Telehealth Appointment Whether you’re learning computer and internet basics, building confidence with tools like Microsoft Office or Google, or strengthening everyday skills such as email, job searching, or managing your digital footprint, you can focus on exactly what you need to reach your goals. Throughout each session, you can take assessments anytime and earn certificates that demonstrate your digital skills. **Lecciones de práctica y evaluaciones están disponibles en inglés y español. This program is made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Gardening Group at West Perry 10:15am - 11:15am West Perry Branch Discussion will be lead by a librarian and/or a Master Gardener. Gardeners are encouraged to bring questions, guests, and even plants or seeds to share. Visit our Seed Library (located next to our fireplace) for a selection of vegetable, herbs, and flower seeds. Celebrate America's 250 with Genealogy 10:15am - 5:45pm Beech Grove Branch Celebrate America’s 250 with Genealogy Join us for a day of Genealogy programming watching presentations from the Waco, Texas Annual Genealogy Lock-in program and presentations the Beech Grove Historical Society and Kim Midkiff-Shepherd, co-owner of The Bizy Genies and a representative of the Samual Bryan Chapter of the NSDAR. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026 Beech Grove Branch Library Bring a sack lunch, a drink, and your laptop. 10:15 am Welcome 10:20 am Beech Grove Historical Society President Dick Templin will share information on the Society’s collection in the Local History Room at the library branch. 10:45 am Unlocking Your Roots: Starting Your Genealogy Journey Difficulty: Beginner Barbara Coakley, Genealogy Researcher, Speaker, Author Learn how to start your genealogy journey or update your skills using a repeatable research process. Begin with what you already know, frame your research question, explore essential records, and organize your discoveries. 12:15 pm Lunch Bring your own 12:50pm Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy Difficulty: Beginner Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History Genealogy often begins with documents, but it becomes powerful through storytelling. This presentation explores the fundamentals of oral history and how intentional interviewing can uncover context, culture, and connections that traditional records may miss. Learn how to plan, conduct, and preserve meaningful family interviews. 2:00 pm Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study Difficulty: Intermediate Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc. A Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-by-step methodology in a case study. 3:00 pm Research Help with Kim Midkiff Shepherd Getting other generations (Gen Z, Gen X, Gen Alpha) interested in Genealogy, Ways to get around Road Blocks, and other questions answered. 4:45 pm Building Your Digital Family History Archive Difficulty: Intermediate EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Local History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library While we are researching our family tree, we often collect a lot of digital files - from downloaded records and emailed documents to scanned photographs and mobile screenshots. What should we do with all these digital files, and how can we keep them organized? This presentation will cover the basics of digital preservation and outline practical steps for creating a well-structured Digital Family History Archive to safeguard your genealogy work. 5:45 pm Thank You and Goodbye! The programs are provided by the Genealogy Education Network (GEN), a multi-state initiative to connect libraries/genealogical societies and provide educational and research opportunities that is spearheaded by the Genealogy Center of the Waco-McLennan County Library. Co-sponsors include the Central Texas Genealogical Society and the Texas State Genealogical Society. Native Garden Vision Boards 10:30am - 12:00pm West Perry Branch The IndyPL Seed Library is great, but what is even better is learning what to do with those seeds! Get ready or follow up by learning from one of these lists: Check out some of the other gardening classes at our locations on our online calendar. Made possible with support from The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Low Impact Exercise (Chair Aerobics) 10:30am - 11:15am East 38th Street Branch Learn more about Through the Ages Fitness. *Please note, some TTAF Low Impact sessions advance to standing depending on location and participants. We encourage you to bring a water bottle to class. Meanwhile, enjoy this book list about the RBG Workout! This program is made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation with support from a contribution from Honda. Honda is dedicated to helping people reach their own life's potential. Cardio Drumming 10:30am - 11:15am Warren Branch Join Dakota Nicley of the Guitar Academy of Indiana to explore how exercise can feel like fun! Participants can gain: You may also enjoy this FitLit book list about Feel-Good Fitness. 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. Create with Canva 10:30am - 12:30pm Beech Grove Branch Discover the creative possibilities of Canva in this interactive workshop! Learn how to navigate Canva’s interface and explore templates for social media, business materials, invitations, and personal projects. You’ll practice customizing designs to fit your style and needs. We’ll cover the essentials of effective visual design like arranging elements, choosing colors, pairing fonts, and creating balance in your layouts. We’ll also cover easy ways to share your projects; whether printing at home, sharing online, or using Canva’s optional paid print services. Note: A free Canva account will be required. WitLITS Book Discussion Group 10:30am - 11:30am Spades Park Branch Share a small group experience while listening to a book read out loud in short segments by members of the group while following along in your own copy. With frequent stops to discuss often overlooked meaning in the text. Join Us! Indiana Animals for Toddlers 11:00am - 11:45am Beech Grove Branch Made possible by Everwise Foundation through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Pet $ense 1:00pm - 2:00pm Glendale Branch Official financial education program brought to you by the Indiana Securities Division. Visit Indiana Money Quest for more information. Discover Artificial Intelligence 2:00pm - 4:00pm Nora Branch This class offers a balanced perspective on the use of artificial intelligence and introduces you to the important ethical and practical considerations of this developing technology. We will define key terms, give a brief timeline of the development of the technology, and create an interactive project together using freely available tools. This program is made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Marvelous Magnetic Bookmarks 3:30pm - 4:30pm Michigan Road Branch Explore multiple art techniques while designing and creating custom magnetic bookmarks. Learn how magnets work while creating a one-of-a-kind piece of functional art that kids can use and enjoy every day! this program is designed for kids ages 6-12. Pet $ense 4:30pm - 5:30pm Beech Grove Branch Official financial education program brought to you by the Indiana Securities Division. Visit Indiana Money Quest for more information. Pokemon Trading Card Game Club 4:30pm - 5:30pm Wayne Branch Learn how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Challenge other players. Trade cards. Bring your own cards if you have them, but we will have some that can be borrowed while at the branch if you want to battle. The library is not responsible for trades made during the program.