More than 2,780 IPS students join the Indianapolis Public Library’s Shared System, gaining access to physical and digital resources

More than 2,780 Indianapolis Public School (IPS) students will have easier access to physical and digital resources in the classroom as eight new IPS schools join The Indianapolis Public Library’s Shared System in the fall of 2023.

The IPS libraries entering the Shared System are Francis W. Parker Montessori #51, Center for Inquiry #70, Theodore Potter #74, Carl Wilde #79, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy, George Washington Carver Montessori School #87, Harshman Middle School, and Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School. By December 2024, 32 more IPS schools are slated to become members of the Indianapolis Public Library’s Shared System.

The Shared System is an interlibrary collaboration between The Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL), 59 schools, and five special libraries, including three museums. The schools function as a branch of The Library, allowing students to use The Library’s catalog to request books, DVDs, and CDs owned by IndyPL or other Shared System members to be delivered by The Indianapolis Public Library to their school libraries. In addition, students at Shared System member libraries have access to their own library's collection as well as over 2 million additional IndyPL books, resources, and databases.

“The Indianapolis Public Library and Indianapolis Public Schools are linked by our similar missions and by our long history of providing educational resources to the Indianapolis community,” said Gregory Hill, CEO of The Indianapolis Public Library. “We always look forward to inviting additional schools into our Shared System because more students will have access to the city’s public educational resources without having to leave their school or community library.”

“Providing IPS students with easier access to educational materials is a win for our scholars, our district, and our city,” said Dr. Aleesia Johnson, Indianapolis Public Schools superintendent. “The resources made available to our students — through this exciting partnership with The Indianapolis Public Library — will provide countless opportunities for academic success and innovation. I’m excited to continue to provide the same access to additional students as this program grows.”

Learn more about the Shared System and see the complete list of schools.