Readers of all ages can explore paleontology-inspired programs and earn prizes as part of Unearth Imagination, The Indianapolis Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program.
The program which runs Saturday, May 31, through Saturday, Aug. 2, also offers a chance for eaders to discover new passions through hands-on workshops, reading lists and bonus activities
The Summer Reading Program is free and open to all. Registration is now open and may be completed at any local library, online at indypl.beanstack.org, or through the Beanstack app available in the app store. Participants may read any book, graphic novel, magazine, e-book, or newspaper, including books from home or books borrowed from the Library and track time spent reading, listening to audiobooks, reading aloud to someone, or listening to someone read.
Prizes are awarded at one hour, five hours, 10 hours, 15 hours and 20 hours of reading. Youth prizes include passes to the Children’s Museum Haunted House, the Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Indians baseball games, IU Indy basketball games, books, dino stuffies, and more. Adult prizes include mugs, Summer Reading Program stickers, stress balls, travel first-aid kits, fidget highlighters, and dino planters. Prizes can be claimed until Aug. 2.
All readers who log their time will be eligible for grand prizes at the end of the summer if the total reading time across all age groups in the Summer Reading Program reaches 20 million minutes.
Grand prizes for adults include a Kan-Kan Membership, a 10-day pass to North Mass Boulder, an annual pass to Eagle Creek Park, gift cards for bowling at Pins Mechanical and Royal Pin, and more. Youth grand prizes will include Amazon gift cards, a Nintendo Switch, play kitchens, and an Indiana529 Direct Savings Plan.
“The Indianapolis Public Library offers opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, including pre-readers and non-English readers, to connect with resources that nurture a love of reading,” said Gregory A. Hill, the Library’s chief executive officer. “Experience the fun, friendly, and welcoming spaces at our branches where we foster learning and belonging. Summer reading is one of the ways that The Indianapolis Public Library supports literacy in all its forms.”
According to the American Library Association, summer reading programs at libraries help reluctant readers by drawing them in with prizes and activities. As a result, readers develop positive reading habits. Throughout the summer, participants may enjoy a variety of programs that provide opportunities to connect with peers and explore new interests.
Programs for Youth:
- Animal Shows and Animal Meet-and-Greets with Silly Safaris
- Build It Woodworking workshop with Deeply Ingrained
- Dino Dash with JumpBunch of Indianapolis
- Junior Paleontologist fossil workshops with the Indiana State Museum
- Storytime with Professor Watermelon
- Clay Creations Clay workshop
- Geology Rocks! Fossil Impressions workshop
- Robo Explorers Robotics workshop
- Teen Art: Papermaking
Programs for Adults:
- Prehistoric Pictures: Library Weekend at the Kan-Kan Cinema. Tickets will be made available soon via our online calendar
- Printmaking Paleoart Experience for Adults
- Guided Painting for Adults
- Art in Stone: Carving for Adults
- Exploring Paleontology for Adults
- Natural History Book Club
- Garden Workshops
This year, the Library is partnering with Project Play, Inc. a nonprofit organization that accepts new and gently used toys and books to bring learning through play into every household. The public may donate new or gently used books to all Indianapolis Public Library branches.
The Summer Reading Program is presented by Friends of the Library through generous gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Major sponsors include Forvis Mazars, The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund, Lilly Endowment Inc., William McNiece, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Dr. Betty Routledge, Mary Frances Rubly & Jerry Hummer, Alice and Robert Schloss, and The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation Board of Directors. Supporting sponsors include Citizens Energy Group, Michaela Graham and Scott Brody, Indiana529, Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., Office of the Lawrence Township Trustee Steve Talley, and OneAmerica® Financial.
For more information on the 2025 Summer Reading Program, visit indypl.org/srp.
