My Account

East 38th Street


5420 East 38th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46218

Get Directions

Phone Number

East 38th Street Hours

Mon - Tue 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wed - Fri 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun Closed
East 38th Street

The first library to serve the neighborhood opened in 1957 as the Emerson Branch. This frame house near East 38th Street and North Emerson Avenue soon became too small to meet the neighborhood's needs, leading to construction of a 7,500-square-foot branch at the same location in 1962. The Emerson Branch closed its doors in 2003 when the current 16,000-square-foot library opened as the East 38th Street Branch.

Amenities & Services

Internet Access

  • Public computers with Microsoft Office
  • Early learning computer stations
  • Free Wi-Fi

Meeting Space

Study Pods

Accessible Workstation

Digital Creativity Workstation

Zine Collection

Exam Proctoring

Self-Services

  • Checkout
  • Color printer
  • Color copy machine

  • PLEASE NOTE: Personal paper cannot be used in Library printers/copiers.

  • Document scanner
  • Mobile printing services
  • ScanEZ Kiosk

Bike Rack

Outgoing Fax

Exam Proctoring

Walk-Up Book Return

  • Walk-up book return available 24/7

Seed Library (March-October)

Upcoming Events at East 38th Street
Seed Library Support - East 38th Street

Seed Library Support - East 38th Street

East 38th Street Branch

Work with fellow volunteers to pack seeds for our 2025 Seed Library! Join in on some literal bean counting, use your finger to measure out teensy oregano bits, and use scoops of different sizes to measure out flower seeds.  

Career Center at East 38th Street

Career Center at East 38th Street

East 38th Street Branch

Adults needing help with creating a resume, searching for a job or career online, or filling out an online job application are invited to receive free one-on-one assistance.

Zine Salon

Zine Salon

East 38th Street Branch

Spend some time reading, talking about, and making zines. We'll pass around and read five selected titles.  If you need to wait while others read, use one of our kits to draw, write, and make a zine of your own.

Branch Manager
Bambi Pea

Bambi Pea

Hi, I'm Bambi Pea, Branch Manager for East 38th Street. My all-time favorite author is Tiffany D. Jackson. I also enjoy other books and movies in the horror or romance genres. I hope you’ll visit our location soon. For questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. We are always happy to help!

Contact Bambi