Play & Learn with Gymboree, Fiber Maxxing, Career Center at East 38th Street, Self-Publishing Workshop, Get Started- Writing Wor

Play & Learn with Gymboree 10:30am - 11:00am Glendale Branch Participating in a diverse class of physical, social, and cognitive developmental skills creates a dynamic class where younger children benefit from watching older children and older children benefit from being leaders. This program is a great opportunity for siblings to experience class together, or for children and adults can grow together! This program is made possible by Everwise Foundation through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Fiber Maxxing 10:30am - 11:30am Spades Park Branch The Marion County Public Health Nutrition Services is bringing 2 topics to the library this fall. This one (Fiber Maxxing), and Meal Planning Made Simple. Check out both at a branch near you! Barbara shared a list with science-based resources for your healthy eating (including fiber) here. This program is made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Career Center at East 38th Street 11:00am - 2:00pm East 38th Street Branch Made possible by Office of Lawrence Township Trustee Steve Talley through a grant to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Self-Publishing Workshop 11:00am - 3:00pm Beech Grove Branch Attendees will learn how to refine their book idea, identify their target audience, develop a realistic writing plan, understand professional publishing standards, and navigate key publishing decisions such as ISBNs, copyright, formatting, and distribution. The workshop also includes hands-on exercises and practical tools to help participants leave with actionable next steps and greater confidence in their journey from manuscript to published book. Instructor Denola M. Burton is the Founder and CEO of Enhanced DNA: Develop Nurture Achieve, LLC. Denola is an author and publisher and is a member of the Independent Book Publishing Association (IBPA). In 2019, Denola created the Enhanced DNA Publishing Division of her company and now assists new and newer authors in publishing their books to meet the IBPA standards. To get ready, here are some book lists about writing! Get Started- Writing Workshop 12:30pm - 2:00pm Nora Branch This workshop is presented in partnership with the Indiana Writers Center. Check out other writing workshops at library branches this season! Instructor Barbara Shoup is the author of nine novels for adults and young adults, most recently An American Tune, and About Grace, and a memoir, A Commotion in Your Heart. She is the the co-author of Novel Ideas: Contemporary Authors Share the Creative Process and Story Matters. Her short fiction, poetry, essays and interviews have appeared in numerous small magazines, as well as in The Writer and The New York Times travel section. Shoup is the recipient of numerous grants from the Indiana Art Commission, two creative renewal grants from the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the 2006 PEN Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Working Writer Fellowship and the 2012 Eugene and Marilyn Glick Regional Indiana Author Award. Her young adult novels, Wish You Were Here and Stranded in Harmony were selected as American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults. Vermeer’s Daughter was a School Library Journal Best Adult Book for Young Adults. Currently, she is the Writer-in-Residence at the Indiana Writers Center. and a creative writing faculty member of Art Workshop International in Assisi. She hosts the Substack newsletter Book Pilgrim. Get ready for this writing workshop with some book lists about writing: Adult Book Club at West Perry 2:00pm - 3:00pm West Perry Branch Join us for West Perry's new book club! Whether you're a cozy mystery fan or love reading about fantastical worlds, all are welcome. Crafternoon at West Indianapolis 2:30pm - 4:00pm West Indianapolis Branch Crafternoon at West Indianapolis is an arts and crafts club. You can bring your current creative project to work on or use our supplies to start something new! Everyone is welcome. Join us every Monday at 2:30 p.m. for an afternoon of crafting, conversation, and being creative. Waterway Exploration 2:30pm - 3:30pm Eagle Branch Explore the world of waterways by tackling hands-on challenges that uncover the power and complexity of rivers. Build bridges and dams, design a boat, and test your creativity and problem-solving skills. This program is designed for kids ages 6-12. Lineage Research Workshop 3:00pm - 7:45pm Beech Grove Branch Representatives from the Samuel Bryan Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will assist individuals in searching for information about their ancestors. They can help you get started doing your genealogy if you are a beginner or help you if you already searching and have hit a roadblock. You will use a computer to access Ancestry.com and other online sources. Space is limited to 10 attendees. Register for this program by stopping by the checkout desk at the Beech Grove Branch or call 317-275-4560. Tai Chi 5:00pm - 6:00pm Online Tai Chi Flow is a workout appropriate for any age or fitness level and will have you experiencing the FLOW of Tai Chi whether it’s your first class or 100th. There are no routines to learn or forms to remember and this class may be done standing or seated in a chair. Participants follow Christine’s guided movement and sensory cueing to bring muscular, cardiovascular, and nervous systems into perfect synergy along with mind and spirit. Enjoy this energizing low-impact workout with a smile while improving your balance, coordination, and overall health and well-being. Those who register will be emailed login instructions approximately the day of the event. If Tai Chi interests you, you may also enjoy this book list Tai Chi Sounds Interesting. 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. Teen Anime/Fandom Club at East 38th Street 5:30pm - 6:30pm East 38th Street Branch Teens are invited to watch, read, and discuss various fandoms and subjects with their peers..This program is for teens ages 13-18 years of age. Books & Rooks Chess Club 5:30pm - 8:00pm Central Library Would you like to gain experience playing chess? Are you already experienced but looking for another outlet for over-the-board chess? Books & Rooks Chess Club is here for you! With casual play and an unrated tournament (free and open to everyone, no USCF membership required), Monday night is chess night at Central Library! Create with Canva 5:30pm - 7:30pm Glendale 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. Family Game Night at Haughville 5:30pm - 7:00pm Haughville Branch Families and children of all ages are invited to drop in any time to make new friends while playing board games or solving puzzles. Games and puzzles will be provided. Career Charting 5:30pm - 8:00pm East Washington Branch Sometimes the hardest question isn't "What job should I take?" It's "What kind of work do I really want?" In this engaging and interactive workshop, you'll take time to reflect, refocus, and intentionally design a career path that fits your life, not that old version of you. Through guided activities and meaningful conversation, you'll gain clarity, identify opportunities, and leave with practical next steps you can begin immediately. You'll leave with: • A clearer picture of what matters most to you • A renewed sense of direction • Practical exercises for making career decisions • An action plan for your next move Imagine waking up excited about the work you do. Every meaningful career begins with one intentional decision. This workshop can help you make that possible. Facilitated by Beverly Barr, Founder of Raise the BARR, Coaching & Consulting, LLC Space is limited to ensure personalized attention for all participants. This program is made possible by the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Soulful Pages Book Club 6:00pm - 7:30pm Central Library The Soulful Pages Book Club invites readers to gather at the Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) at Central Library for an exciting lineup of books that explore history, identity, culture, mythology, family, and self-discovery. Whether you're a lifelong reader or just looking to connect with a community of book lovers, Soulful Pages offers thoughtful discussions and welcoming conversations centered around impactful stories. October 19 – Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson A richly woven family saga that begins with a mother's final wish and unfolds through generations of secrets, migration, love, and loss. This bestselling novel explores identity, heritage, and the bonds that connect families across time and distance. Room to Bloom 6:00pm - 7:30pm Wayne Branch Join JayAmi Sellers for lightly-guided opportunities to explore and process. These are not traditional workshops or skill-based classes. Instead, we’ve created an open space for emotional processing, communal care, and creative exploration. Come play with paint, collage, drawing, and mixed media. Most of the time will be for creating, with an optional group conversation at the end. Further your creative self-support with these book lists: This program is made possible with support from Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Lego Block Party at Nora 6:00pm - 7:00pm Nora Branch Children under 12 need to bring an adult. Due to safety concerns we respectfully ask that all attendees are at least 5 years of age. No registration is required. Space is limited to first 20 individuals. Writing for Wellness 6:00pm - 7:30pm Southport Branch Our lives are constantly bombarded with stressors that physically and mentally drain us, and this is especially true in recent times. Thankfully, there are several means that can help us cope with these stressors and even traumas, and writing is one of those means. Both experienced and inexperienced writers use writing as a tool to achieve healing, wellness, and examine traumas. Writing for Wellness, or Expressive Writing, is not about writing to impress others or even being grammatically correct. Writing for Wellness means writing about whatever is weighing on your heart and mind. This workshop is presented in partnership with the Indiana Writers Center. Check out other writing workshops at library branches this season! Instructor Dominique Weldon is a Black biracial writer who grew up in Iowa. She is a first-generation college graduate of the University of Iowa and received her MFA in Fiction from Butler University, where she served as the nonfiction editor of Booth. Her work appears or is forthcoming in Lover’s Eye Press, DarkWinter Literary Magazine, and Erato Magazine. She lives in Indiana, where she teaches at the Indiana Writers Center and reads fiction for Split Lip Magazine. She is currently working on her first novel as well as a graphic novel. Get ready for this writing workshop with some book lists about writing: Microsoft PowerPoint Essentials 6:00pm - 7:30pm College Avenue Branch This program is made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. English Conversation Circle 6:00pm - 7:00pm Southport Branch This class focuses on casual conversation. We discuss topics on American culture, idioms, phrasal verbs, some grammar, and much much more! Facilitators are TESOL trained. Introduction to Debate - Part 2! 6:00pm - 7:15pm College Avenue Branch Building on the fundamentals covered in the first series (Spring 2026), students will sharpen their skills in argumentation, rebuttal, and public speaking through engaging activities and lively practice debates. New students are welcome — no prior experience or attendance at the first series is required, just curiosity and a willingness to participate! NOTE: this is a six-week series, and will run from September 21th to November 9th (the Library will be closed on October 12th and November 2nd). Qi Gong & Meditation for Everyday People 6:30pm - 7:30pm Pike Branch No special knowledge or experience needed. Please bring your mat if you have one. A few mats are available to borrow. Indy Community Yoga is a local nonprofit that works to support our collective well-being by offering daily meditation and yoga practices, seasonal silent retreats, and community care projects that are always 100% free to participants. Learn more at Indy Community Yoga. Movement: We’ll find ease and strength in the body through a series of gentle movements at a relaxed pace. This practice is suitable for a broad range of abilities and body types. Meditation: Sitting in the quiet, returning to ease in the body and ease in the breathing. You are welcome to sit on the floor, in a chair, or lay down. There’s nothing to achieve or attain. Sharing: At the end of practice, there is time to share reflections, feelings, and questions and hear what others have to share. It's ok to just listen, too. 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. MNO (Monday Night Occasion) 6:30pm - 7:30pm Martindale-Brightwood Branch School-aged children will have a fun evening with their families and other children their age to help jumpstart the school week while building social skills like confidence and empathy in a safe environment. As school aged children are growing beyond family centered interactions, Meet and Play for this age group helps build on their skills interacting with their peer group. Monday nights will alternate between family game nights, art, sensory play, and small world building. Adult Book Discussion at Irvington 6:30pm - 7:45pm Irvington Branch No registration is required. Strange Houses by Uketsu