150 Things to do with the Library

In honor of 150 years, take a look at 150 things you can do at or with the Independence Public Library!

  1. Read or relax in a comfy chair
  2. Ask for a pair of headphones to catch the latest news on the TV by the fireplace
  3. Read from our selection of magazines
  4. Check out the latest local news in the Bulletin Journal
  5. Play Roblox
  6. Sign up for the Summer Reading Program
  7. Grow a garden with one of our toy flower building sets
  8. Join the Friends of the Library
  9. Gather a study group
  10. Look up your history on Ancestry.com Library Edition
  11. Enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate
  12. Check out a cake pan for a fun birthday party!
  13. Contemplate the meaning of the "Balancing Act" sculpture outside the library
  14. Spend time among the stained glass butterflies in Flutterby Cove
  15. Watch a movie in the Iowa Room
  16. Find out what's going on for youth and adult programs by signing up for a program enewsletter
  17. Visit the Butterfly Garden outside
  18. Read as a community with One Book Indee
  19. Play with one of our Lego sets
  20. Host a meeting in one of our study rooms
  21. Request a book from another library
  22. Download our mobile app, MyLibro
  23. Relax and enjoy the great outdoors on the patio furniture beside the library
  24. Sign up to volunteer with the library
  25. Use our free wifi
  26. Check out a Staff Pick!
  27. Meet us downtown for Jingle on Main
  28. Learn more about Iowa-native President Hoover with Third Thursdays with Hoover's Library on MS Teams
  29. Put on a puppet show
  30. Find the tax form you need
  31. Get some great deals on books, puzzles, and movies in the Friends store!
  32. Follow @indylibiowa on Instagram
  33. Explore the US and the world with AtoZ Databases
  34. Put a piece in the community puzzle
  35. Join the library's book club
  36. Find out how much electricity your device uses by checking out a "Kill a Watt"
  37. Meet Santa at Ho Ho Holiday
  38. Get some tech help!
  39. Add some fun to your next party by checking out Giant Jenga
  40. Download the Libby app to access e-books and digital audio books with your library card
  41. Come to a weekly story time with Miss Vonnie
  42. Plan your next adventure with one of our travel guides
  43. Check out a Vox book, the books that talk!
  44. Explore fantastical worlds with our Dungeons & Dragons group
  45. Check out a study room and prepare for a test
  46. Get a map of the area Amish stores
  47. Find more veteran benefits with Brainfuse VetNow
  48. Check out a hotspot to stay connected at home
  49. Get a quick read in with an Express Book
  50. Find housing and other community resources
  51. Check out past virtual programs on our website
  52. Create your own work of art with one of our art kits
  53. Check out an eReader loaded with books to take on vacation
  54. Play checkers
  55. Explore books on a specific topic with a book bundle!
  56. Sign your child up to read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
  57. Charge your device at our charging table
  58. Find out about Abraham Lincoln
  59. Take a test proctored by library staff
  60. Get a break from the hot weather outside and enjoy the air conditioning!
  61. Print something off your phone with our wireless printing
  62. Take a trip down memory lane by perusing an Independence Schools yearbook
  63. Hear all about it with a book on CD for adults, teens, and kids
  64. Check the bulletin board or TV to see what local events are going on
  65. Get homework help with Brainfuse HelpNow
  66. Get support caring for your loved one with Alzheimer's or related dementia at a monthly support group
  67. Get a map and information about the library's Little Free Libraries
  68. Send a fax
  69. Have fun after-hours once a month at Minecraft
  70. Ask library staff for a book or movie recommendation
  71. Look for the hidden word in the mural "Open Books, Open Hearts, Open Minds"
  72. Pick up a program calendar to see upcoming events
  73. Find your favorite Eric Carle or Dr. Seuss book
  74. Visit with other patrons
  75. Like a specific author? Take a bookmark highlighting others you might like
  76. Watch the Disney channel on our youth TV
  77. Take a look inside a World Book encyclopedia
  78. Find out to cook while camping
  79. Check your email using one of our computers
  80. Plan a movie night and check out E.T. or another favorite
  81. See our collection of Robert Tabor paintings
  82. Ask to use the cars on our kids activity table
  83. Log into your library account to see how much money you've saved this year by using the library
  84. Find a book by browsing our displays
  85. Learn about Patrick Mahomes
  86. Print off some new recipes on our computers
  87. Look through local history in our Reference section
  88. Check out a STEM backpack to do some fun activities at home
  89. Check out a bird watching kit and explore nature!
  90. Put on your costume and have a fa-BOO-lous time at the Boo Bash!
  91. Make a book suggestion for the library to purchase
  92. Warm yourself by the fireplace
  93. Explore job resources with Brainfuse JobNow
  94. Match wits in a chess game
  95. Browse the new adult books
  96. Find books at the right reading level in the Just Right Books section
  97. Find the name of a friend or neighbor on the library's donor wall
  98. Explore the world of graphic novels
  99. Check out a tai chi video
  100. Put together a floor puzzle
  101. Get some ideas and feedback at our monthly writer's group
  102. See what's going on elsewhere in the country with the Wall Street Journal
  103. Reserve the newest bestseller
  104. See what's on display in the lobby
  105. Donate your old glasses to the Lions Club
  106. Get some great deals at the Friends of the Library semiannual book sale
  107. Find out how to train your puppy
  108. Watch a DVD featuring interviews with local veterans
  109. Play with the sensory activities on the wall of Flutterby Cove
  110. Get some work done at one of our high top counters
  111. Drop off some books to donate to the Friends of the Library
  112. See the latest New York Times bestsellers
  113. Check out a set of pickleball rackets and balls to try out a new sport
  114. Listen to episodes of IPL's podcast called On Reserved
  115. See who has read 1000 books before kindergarten on our wall of fame!
  116. Find a large print book to check out
  117. Attend a virtual meeting using a library laptop and wifi connection
  118. Learn how to draw a panda bear
  119. If you don't have a library card, get a guest pass to use the computer
  120. Play with the activity cube in our children's area
  121. Check out upcoming programs on the screen above the circulation desk
  122. Use our card catalog to check out popular book club picks, like Reese's Book Club or Read with Jenna!
  123. Make a thank you card for a local veteran
  124. Hang out in the Young Adult area, where there are chairs, a couch, and high top tables
  125. Check out a new TV series on DVD
  126. Play fun, interactive games on our early literacy computer stations
  127. Check out our interesting collection of oversized books by the adult nonfiction
  128. Add a kindness rock to our rock garden
  129. Keep track of your reading using the Beanstack app
  130. Request curbside delivery and let us bring your items to you!
  131. Apply for or renew your library at the library or using our online form
  132. Attend a Library Board meeting
  133. Sit on an ottoman in our kids' section and read the newest picture books
  134. See if the library is hosting a fun contest, like our Gingerbread House, Skittle Art, or 6-Word Story contests!
  135. Check out this year's Iowa High School Book Award winners on display in the YA section
  136. Pick up the latest Maker Monday craft kit
  137. Learn more about the library's long-term goals and plan
  138. Grab a map and explore Heritage Trail
  139. Sign into your library account and save or bookmark books you want to read later
  140. Check out our Facebook page for the latest events, information, and photos from recent programs
  141. Introduce your kiddos to magazines by checking out Ranger Rick or Girls' World
  142. Request to use the community room for your non-profit event or meeting
  143. Grab a free bookmark from our ever-changing collection
  144. Donate to the IPL Foundation
  145. Take a free Iowa DOT practice test on one of our computers
  146. Check out the latest stats on our annual report
  147. Pick up the latest issue of BookPage at the circulation desk
  148. Have fun making a craft at one of our programs!
  149. Ring in the new year at our Noon Year's Eve party!
  150. And of course, check out books!