We appreciate your interest in volunteering or interning with The Indianapolis Public Library!
How to use this website to find volunteer or intern opportunities:
1. Current volunteer and intern opportunities are listed below. We have in-person roles available throughout the library system. If you do not see an opportunity listed for the library branch, event, or department you are interested in, it is because it is not currently available.
2. If you see a volunteer or intern opportunity that interests you please complete an application. When filling out the application, check which role(s) you'd like most. We'll connect you with the lead staff member(s).
Want a quick one-time activity? Scroll to the bottom of the page for special projects and events!
If you don't see something that interests you, check back frequently. We post opportunities as they become available.
Questions? Contact Volunteer Resources by email at volunteer@indypl.org or by phone at 317-275-4046.
Location: Fort Ben Branch, 9330 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46216
Time Commitment: Summer Reading Program 2026! Saturday, May 30 through August 1. Volunteers typically serve 4+ hours a week on a regular schedule during library open hours. The schedule is established by the volunteer and the branch volunteer coordinator.
Summary: The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is one of the largest programs conducted throughout the library, encouraging reading for fun and entertainment among youth and adults. SRP Support is needed to aid staff with the influx of patrons, the increased number of programs, and the volume of books moving through the system.
Position Description: For more details about this opportunity, please see the SRP Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Franklin Road Branch, 5550 South Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN 46239
Time Commitment: Summer Reading Program 2026! Saturday, May 30 through August 1. Volunteers typically serve 4+ hours a week on a regular schedule during library open hours. The schedule is established by the volunteer and the branch volunteer coordinator.
Summary: The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is one of the largest programs conducted throughout the library, encouraging reading for fun and entertainment among youth and adults. SRP Support is needed to aid staff with the influx of patrons, the increased number of programs, and the volume of books moving through the system.
Position Description: For more details about this opportunity, please see the SRP Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Eagle Branch, 3902 Moller Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254
Time Commitment: Summer Reading Program 2026! Saturday, May 30 through August 1. Volunteers typically serve 4+ hours a week on a regular schedule during library open hours. The schedule is established by the volunteer and the branch volunteer coordinator.
Summary: The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is one of the largest programs conducted throughout the library, encouraging reading for fun and entertainment among youth and adults. SRP Support is needed to aid staff with the influx of patrons, the increased number of programs, and the volume of books moving through the system.
Position Description: For more details about this opportunity, please see the SRP Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Lawrence Branch, 7898 Hague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Time Commitment: Summer Reading Program 2026! Saturday, May 30 through August 1. Volunteers typically serve 4+ hours a week on a regular schedule during library open hours. The schedule is established by the volunteer and the branch volunteer coordinator.
Summary: The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is one of the largest programs conducted throughout the library, encouraging reading for fun and entertainment among youth and adults. SRP Support is needed to aid staff with the influx of patrons, the increased number of programs, and the volume of books moving through the system.
Position Description: For more details about this opportunity, please see the SRP Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Pike Branch, 6525 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Time Commitment: Summer Reading Program 2026! Saturday, May 30 through August 1. Volunteers typically serve 4+ hours a week on a regular schedule during library open hours. The schedule is established by the volunteer and the branch volunteer coordinator.
Summary: The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is one of the largest programs conducted throughout the library, encouraging reading for fun and entertainment among youth and adults. SRP Support is needed to aid staff with the influx of patrons, the increased number of programs, and the volume of books moving through the system.
Position Description: For more details about this opportunity, please see the SRP Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Wayne Branch, 198 South Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46231
Time Commitment: Summer Reading Program 2026! Saturday, May 30 through August 1. Volunteers typically serve 4+ hours a week on a regular schedule during library open hours. The schedule is established by the volunteer and the branch volunteer coordinator.
Summary: The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is one of the largest programs conducted throughout the library, encouraging reading for fun and entertainment among youth and adults. SRP Support is needed to aid staff with the influx of patrons, the increased number of programs, and the volume of books moving through the system.
Position Description: For more details about this opportunity, please see the SRP Support Volunteer Position Description.
Spread the word about library programs, services, and news!
You'll work with staff by performing clerical and supportive tasks to provide consistent and current communication with community members. Tasks may include:
Who: Detail-oriented, comfortable with email and phone conversations, data entry, experience with MS Office/365, and interested in making a difference for our community. Age 18+. Lifting of up to 25 lbs. may be required.
Location: Library Services Center, 2450 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Time Commitment: 4+ hours once a week, Tuesday and/or Thursday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. The volunteer and the project leader will establish the schedule.
Location: Lawrence Branch, 7898 Hague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Time Commitment: Monday mornings, a few hours between 9:00 and Noon in the Juvenile section.
Age: Adult.
Summary: Are you interested in supporting library staff with all those wonderful books? Then, collection support might be for you! The purpose of the collection support role is to provide valuable support to library staff to maintain the orderliness of the branch’s collection so guests and patrons can readily access desired material. NOTE: This role is physical - pushing or pulling a cart weighing up to 20 lbs., and lifting multiple books.
Position Description: For more details about this role, please view the Collection Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Pike Branch, 6525 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Pike Branch reopened after an extensive renovation on March 29, 2025!
Time Commitment: Monday - Saturday, flexible times. Ongoing roles will usually commit to 3-4 hours a week.
Age: Age 14 & 15 with an adult, Age 16+ without an adult.
Summary: Are you interested in helping library staff with all those wonderful books? Then collection support might be for you! The purpose of the collection support role is to provide valuable support to library staff to maintain the orderliness of the branch’s collection so guests and patrons may readily access desired material. NOTE: This role can be physical - pushing or pulling a cart weighing up to 20 lbs and lifting multiple books.
Position Description: For more details about this role please view the Collection Support Volunteer Position Description.doc.
Location: College Avenue Branch, 4180 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Program: Storytime - Babies & Toddlers, Preschoolers
Time Commitment: Friday from 10:15a to 11:45a. Could be a longer shift if desired.
This is an ongoing opportunity with a minimum commitment of 3 months.
Summary: Do you enjoy being with people, especially youngsters, and maybe even teens? Then consider supporting the programs offered in the library. Storytime, game night, D&D, escape rooms, mystery nights, and many others offered for free to our community.
Position Description: For more details about this opportunity, please view the Program Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: East 38th Street Branch, 5420 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218
Program: Storytime and craft preparation & program reminder calls
Time Commitment: Thursday mornings.
This is an ongoing opportunity with the expectation of a minimum of 3 months commitment.
Summary: Do you enjoy being with people, especially youngsters, and maybe even teens? Then consider supporting the programs offered in the library. Storytime, game night, D &D, escape rooms, mystery nights, and so many others are offered for free to our community.
Position Description: For more details about this role please view the Program Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Lawrence Branch, 7898 Hague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Program: Storytime - Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Time Commitment: A few hours a week between 10:00a and 2:00p based on programming.
This is an ongoing opportunity with the expectation of a minimum of 3 months commitment.
Summary: Do you enjoy being with people, especially youngsters, and maybe even teens? Then consider supporting the programs offered in the library. Storytime, game night, D &D, escape rooms, mystery nights, and so many others are free to our community.
Position Description: For more details about this role please view the Program Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Michigan Road Branch, 6201 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Program: Storytime - Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Time Commitment: Tuesdays from 10:15a to 11:45a.
This is an ongoing opportunity with an expectation of a minimum 3-month commitment.
Summary: Do you enjoy being with people, especially youngsters, and maybe even teens? Then consider supporting the programs offered in the library. Storytime, game night, D&D, escape rooms, mystery nights, and many others are offered free to our community.
Position Description: For more details about this role, please view the Program Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Wayne Branch, 198 South Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46231
Program: Storytime - Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Schedule: Second Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings from 10:00 a to noon.
(Tuesday is Spanish/English. Spanish speakers would be a big help!)
Time Commitment: Pick a day (or two), Tuesdays from 1:45 - 2:45 for Preschoolers or Thursdays from 10:45 - 11:45 for Babies and Toddlers. Days may vary depending on the time of year. Confirm with the branch volunteer coordinator.
This is an ongoing opportunity with the expectation of a minimum of a 3-month commitment.
Summary: Do you enjoy being with people, especially youngsters, and maybe even teens? Then consider supporting the programs offered in the library. Storytime, game night, D &D, escape rooms, mystery nights, and so many others are offered free to our community.
Position Description: For more details about this role, please view the Program Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Pike Branch, 6525 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Program: Storytimes, Game Nights, LEGO block parties, and more!
Time Commitment: Pick a program (or two) to support regularly.
This is an ongoing opportunity with the expectation of a minimum of a 3-month commitment.
Summary: Do you enjoy being with people, especially youngsters and maybe even teens? Consider supporting the programs offered in the library. Storytime, game night, D & D, escape rooms, mystery nights, and so many others are free to our community.
Position Description: For more details about this role please view the Program Support Volunteer Position Description.
Location: Glendale Branch, 3660 East 62nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Activity: Plant and maintain a raised bed garden during the growing season.
Time Commitment: Spend a few hours a week at the Glendale branch working in a newly created raised bed. (Thank you, Eagle Scout!) Prepare, plant, and maintain the garden for patrons and staff to enjoy.
Summary: This is the perfect activity for a Master Gardener seeking to obtain or maintain their certification, for a garden club, or for a green thumb individual/family. The schedule is flexible.
Position Description: For further details, please view the Gardener Volunteer Position Description.
Location: East 38th Street Branch, 5420 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218
Activity: Branch Beautification
Time Commitment: Pick a day (or two) each week for a few hours to maintain the indoor plants in the branch. There may be some outdoor beautification projects throughout the year as well.
Summary: The branch needs consistent care of the indoor plant life. This is a perfect activity for Master Gardeners seeking to obtain or maintain their certification. The schedule is flexible.
Position Description: For more details about this role, please view the Gardener Volunteer Position Description.
Location: West Perry Branch, 6650 South Harding Street, Indianapolis, IN 46217
Activity: Branch Beautification
Schedule: The Gardening Group usually meets at the branch on the 3rd Friday of the month at 10:15a for a few hours.
Summary: The branch needs a Master Gardener to support the Gardening Group program and to assist with maintaining the landscaping and any indoor plants.
Position Description: For more details about this role please view the Gardener Volunteer Position Description.
Volunteers deliver Library material approximately every 3 weeks to a patron who is homebound resulting in a 6-8 hour/month time commitment. The volunteer will frequently help with the material selection by getting to know their patron’s preferences and by working with Library staff. The volunteer interview, up to 90 minutes, is expanded to include training. Volunteers will need reliable transportation to make deliveries to the patron's home. If they are using their vehicle, proof of driver's license and auto insurance will be required at the time of the interview. We ask that Library Express volunteers commit to a minimum of one year of service.
IndyPL has the ability, given ample time, to organize a variety of group service projects.
These might range from clearing the wetlands park adjacent to the East 38th Street Branch, preparing Bunny Book Bags for the Ready to Read program (canvas bags filled with picture books or board books), running games and activities at a branch Summer Reading Program kickoff party, or processing materials for Indy Library Store.
Interested in arranging a group activity? Great! Please have your group leader complete the application and we'll get with you to discuss details.
Returning for another project? Amazing! Contact volunteer@indypl.org and include your preferred date/time and number of volunteers in your group.
Occasionally The Library Foundation, Programming Department, Indy Library Store, or branch may host or participate in a special event such as a Fairy Tale Party, Safe Night Halloween, or an author lecture. Volunteers support these events in a variety of ways, including:
Check this option if you'd like to be notified when these opportunities arise.
Intern Role: MLS/MLIS interns support branch staff conducting programs, providing patron information, and working directly with the system’s collection.
Tasks: For more details, please review the MLIS Intern Position Description.
Time Frame: One or multiple semesters are available. 15-20 hours per week. Summer Semester placements will also obtain in-depth experience with the Summer Reading Program.
Academic Discipline: Library Science
Age: 18+
Compensation: Library internships are unpaid, but you'll learn a lot and have some fun along the way!
Next Steps: Fill out a volunteer/intern application. The link is found in the upper right column. We'll connect you with the staff lead for this internship.
For more information: email internship@indypl.org
We hope you'll consider an internship with The Indianapolis Public Library!
Intern: Summer Reading Program Support. Be an integral part of the planning and executing the Summer Reading Program. Help with the theme, prize section and distribution, branch decoration packaging, communication to branches, logistics, and much more.
Summer reading for fun! The Summer Reading Program (SRP) runs from June through the start of August. Youth and Adults read for fun, track their minutes in the Beanstack app, and redeem points for prizes. We are fighting the "summer slump" for school-aged youth by encouraging them to pick up a book for entertainment. SRP is the largest program offered by IndyPL with planning occurring all year.
Time Frame: This is a two-semester internship; Spring and Summer. 15-20 hours per week.
Location: Central Library, 40 East Saint Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. (Free Parking.)
Academic Discipline: Early Education undergrad/grad, Library Science with interest in youth programming, and/or public librarianship
Compensation: Library internships are unpaid.
Next Steps: Fill out a volunteer/intern application. The link is found in the upper right column. We'll connect you with the staff lead for this internship.
For more information: email interns@indypl.org
We hope you'll consider an internship with The Indianapolis Public Library!
Solving Food Insecurity in Indy! Did you know IndyPL has Seed Libraries through Marion County where library patrons can "check out" veggie seeds? We combine this with free education on how to grow a garden - big or small, food preservation, and how to prepare food with fresh produce. Do you want to be part of the solution to solving hunger in Indy? Then support the Seed Library from behind-the-scene in the Fall and Spring semesters.
Intern: Seed Library Coordination. Use your project management skills working alongside our Seed Library expert to determine the seed varieties, order seeds, coordinate seed packaging parties at the branches, work with volunteer groups, restock branches' collections, and track & monitor Seed Library participation.
Time Frame: This is a two-semester internship beginning in the Fall and continuing in Spring. 15-20 hours per week.
Location: Central Library, 40 East Saint Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Academic Discipline: Project management, agriculture, social justice, food insecurity studies
Compensation: Library internships are unpaid. You'll learn a lot about launching a multi-site program and have fun!
Next Steps: Fill out a volunteer/intern application. The link is found in the upper right column. We'll connect you with the staff lead for this internship.
For more information: email interns@indypl.org
We hope you'll consider an internship with The Indianapolis Public Library!
The East 38th Street Branch is currently at capacity for volunteers. If you would like to be connected with a volunteer coordinator when they are once again able to take on new volunteers, please check this box. Please know that your account will be archived for the time being but can be reactivated at any time.
If you are eager to get started volunteering as soon as possible, we highly encourage you to seek other volunteer opportunities with other local organizations. A great resource for finding diverse volunteer opportunities all over Marion County and beyond is United Way of Central Indiana.
The Fort Ben Branch is currently at capacity for volunteers. If you would like to be connected with a volunteer coordinator when they are once again able to take on new volunteers, please check this box. Please know that your account will be archived for the time being but can be reactivated at any time. Check back periodically for updates.
If you are eager to get started volunteering as soon as possible, we highly encourage you to seek other volunteer opportunities with other local organizations. A great resource for finding diverse volunteer opportunities all over Marion County and beyond is United Way of Central Indiana.
The Indy Library Store is currently at capacity for volunteers. If you would like to be connected with a volunteer coordinator when they are once again able to take on new volunteers, please check this box. Please know that your account will be archived for the time being but can be reactivated at any time. Check back periodically for updates.
If you are eager to get started volunteering as soon as possible, we highly encourage you to seek other volunteer opportunities with other local organizations. A great resource for finding diverse volunteer opportunities all over Marion County and beyond is United Way of Central Indiana.
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Conversation Circle Support - Online | 1 | |||
| Immigrant Outreach Support | 1 | |||
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed Library Support - Beech Grove | 1 | 2/25/2026 | 2/25/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Central Library | 2 | 2/4/2026 | 2/17/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - College Avenue | 2 | 2/5/2026 | 2/19/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - East 38th Street | 1 | 3/2/2026 | 3/2/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Fort Ben | 0 | 2/28/2026 | 2/28/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Garfield Park | 1 | 2/19/2026 | 2/19/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - InfoZone | 1 | 1/31/2026 | 1/31/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Lawrence | 1 | 1/29/2026 | 1/29/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Martindale-Brightwood | 1 | 2/5/2026 | 2/5/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Pike | 1 | 2/21/2026 | 2/21/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Spades Park | 1 | 2/11/2026 | 2/11/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Warren | 1 | 3/7/2026 | 3/7/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - Wayne | 10 | 1/28/2026 | 2/26/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - West Indianapolis | 1 | 3/13/2026 | 3/13/2026 | |
| Seed Library Support - West Perry | 1 | 1/29/2026 | 1/29/2026 | |
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration | 1 | 3/7/2026 | 3/7/2026 | |
| Circulate: Night at the Library | 2 | 4/17/2026 | 4/17/2026 | |
| Homelessness Point in Time Census | 1 | |||
| Meet the Artist Opening Gala | 1 | 2/14/2026 | 2/14/2026 | |
| Yea! Special Events! I'd love to help. Contact me when they are scheduled. | 1 | |||
Mission: The Indianapolis Public Library enriches everyone and strengthens communities by inspiring lifelong learning.
Vision: To be a center of knowledge, community life, and innovation for Indianapolis
