Your Imagination is the Limit at the Greenwood Library | Makerspace, Play Area, and More

Written by Jessica Deubner

Libraries are magical places. They provide fantastic resources that are vital to the growth of their communities. The Greenwood Library is absolutely excelling at anticipating the needs of their patrons and creating spaces and programming to help with those needs. This beautiful facility is open not just to Greenwood residents but to anyone who would like to find a peaceful place to read, create, or work.

Spend the Day Exploring the Greenwood Library Kids’ Department

My kids adore the Children’s Area at the Greenwood Public Library and we could spend all day in just this space. This large space is filled with a variety of interactive activities. Upon entering, you will find a light-up board with twistable knobs that change the colors of the board. There is also a large ball run with magnetic pieces to rearrange to create new pathways for the ball to run along. Cross over the bridge into row after row of books suitable for children of all ages.

The librarians are always so wonderful and helpful each time we visit. I highly suggest seeking out their advice on the latest children’s books, finding books to match your child’s interests and just helping out with some of the resources available in this space. Each time you visit, your child can “check out” three toys, games, or activities to use while exploring the library. My kids love looking through the choices and picking things to work on or play with.

Toward the back of the room, you will find a large play area with a mini town. There is a play kitchen, bank, puppet theater space, and a Lego table. A large wooden tree spreads out across the area and has many places to hold books. The walls are lined with benches perfect for sitting and reading a book together. There is even an enclosed crawling space for babies to explore. My kids often take their checked-out toys back to this space to play ice cream shop or build their Lego creations.

Sensory Room

The library is typically a quiet space and my kids love how calm and peaceful it is to play here. If you find that your child needs a break, there is a dedicated sensory room that is filled with different calming activities. There is usually an activity set up at a table and things spread out on the floor. These activities have materials and toys with a variety of textures, there is a chair with a basket of books next to it, a tunnel to climb through, and a tower light that has floating toy fish in it.

Fable’s Den is Just for Preschoolers

The newest feature of the children’s area is the reimagined preschool activity room. This space is now known as Fable’s Den, named for the lovable fox mascot of the library. Fable’s Den will have preschool activities set up which include early literacy activities, basic math concepts and other early childhood focused activities. This space also has a beautiful wooden tree that kids can climb into and sit to read books. One of the most special parts of this room is a dedicated Mother’s Space. Mothers can easily nurse their babies here in an area that is private, has a chair and has space for other children to do quiet activities.

TeenHQ: A Space Just for Teens and Tweens

Teens and older kids will enjoy having their own dedicated space called TeenHQ. A large cabinet filled with board games is available if you’d like to play against a few friends. Plenty of craft and art materials are also available for kids feeling crafty. Age-appropriate books fill the shelves and there are some magnetic activities lining the walls. You can even play a GIANT game of chess or checkers.

The TeenHQ is in its own room giving teens and tweens their own space away from younger children. You will also find programming specific to tweens and teens. This space is open not just in the evening but all throughout the day making it a great place for homeschooling teenagers to come read, meet up with friends, or do some schoolwork.

Tap into Your Creative Side at The Studio MakerSpace

The Studio MakerSpace is absolutely incredible. This is the perfect place to go on a rainy day and get lost in an art project. There are so many fantastic art materials and resources available in this area of the library. This is a self-guided creative space that has 37 different art kits that you can check out.

You can spread out across three rooms which gives everyone the space they need to create their masterpiece. My kids love to come here just to have the chance to try out art materials that we do not have at home. We typically cycle through 3 different activities. We have chosen origami, loom weaving, snap circuits, and bracelet making just to name a few of the activities you can expect to see. The staff are wonderful at teaching and explaining how different things work.

In addition to the art kits, there are three editing computers, a fully stocked recording studio, 3D printer, and a Glowforge. Throughout the year, there are special programs that feature a Maker in Residence to showcase their artistic specialties. You can also attend Studio 101 events that teach how to use the different types of equipment. Greenwood residents can visit The Studio Makerspace for free. Non-residents are able to purchase a day pass punch card.

More Than Just a Library

Yes, of course, you can find all of the books you are searching for but you may be surprised at what else you can check out from the Greenwood Public Library. Experience passes are offered which feature museum and attraction passes that you can check out so that you can experience all of the wonderful offerings in Central Indiana. Some of the experience passes you can expect to see are for the Indiana State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, Freedom Springs, Kid City at the Greenwood Community Center, and the Indiana Historical Society. Discounted Indianapolis Zoo tickets are also available for purchase.

In addition to these experience passes you have the opportunity to check out other items that may just prove useful if you are a homeowner or have a unique experience coming up. You can borrow games for your next game night, walkie-talkies, stud finders, resistance bands and so much more. It is fun to look around the display of passes and see all of the unique items you can take home.

For kids, special science, reading, music, sensory, STEM kits and so much more are available to check out. You can find these located in the kids’ department. You are able to check out two kits at a time.

The Greenwood Public Library offers plenty of work/study spaces and rooms that you can reserve if you have a group that needs a dedicated meeting space. If your group is a 501c3, the room rental fees are waived otherwise it is $50 for the first hour and $25 for each additional hour.

If you are not a Greenwood resident but wish you could take part in all of these amazing community benefits, you have a few options. Cardholders in good standing at the Johnson County Public Library or Edinburgh Public Library can receive a free reciprocal borrower’s card. If you are not a Greenwood Resident, you can purchase a library card giving you access to all of the books and materials that are available. Another option is to purchase a PLAC, a Public Library Access Card which gives the cardholder access to all of the public libraries in the state of Indiana.

Other Great Places to Visit in Greenwood

The Greenwood Public Library is conveniently positioned within a walkable distance to so many of Greenwood’s most popular locations. As you exit the library, you will see Old City Park across the field. You can also walk to the Greenwood Community Center, Greenwood Fieldhouse, Craig Park, the Greenwood Amphitheater, and City Center Park and Splash Pad. Greenwood is also filled with many family-friendly restaurants if you have hungry kids after a day at the library.

If you love a great library, try the Carmel Clay Public Library, Johnson County’s Clark Pleasant Branch, or the Westfield Washington Public Library.

Looking for more family-friendly fun in Greenwood?

Win prizes for reading when you register for a Summer Reading Program.