Donnie Dearinger is a self-proclaimed book nerd.
The fourth grader at William McKinley School 39 loves to read adventure and science fiction books and got hooked on the Japanese manga series, Yotsuba&!, after picking up the first couple titles in the series at his school library.
“The series — it just kind of relates to me,” the 10-year-old said. “Running around, hanging out with animals.”
But, before too long, Dearinger discovered his school didn’t have every book in the series. Lucky for him, William McKinley School 39 just transitioned into The Indianapolis Public Library’s Shared System last school year. The school media specialist requested the missing books be sent to Donnie’s school.
“Now that we have the circulation going, we’re always able to get books,” Donnie said. “It doesn’t matter if we don’t have it.”
Students read their newly checked out books April 9, 2025, in the library at William McKinley School 39. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy 
Books sit on a shelf April 9, 2025, in the library at William McKinley School 39. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy 
Jessica Thomas, a media assistant, helps a child check a book out. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy 
Benjamin Montes (left) and another student read their newly acquired library books. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy 
Jessica Dunn (right), IPS executive director of enrichment programs, looks at a book with student Regina Mora. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy 
Kimberly Andersen, project manager for the shared library system, helps a child check a book out. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy
The Shared System is a longstanding partnership offered by IndyPL, bringing together dozens of school systems and museum collections into one accessible library. All told, more than 2 million books are available through the Shared System.
But, not all IPS schools participated until recently. After years of transitioning schools into the system, IPS officials are now celebrating that all 41 district schools, as well as some charter partners, are now included.
“There are two huge things that we can do as educators to help kids build their literacy: one is good English language arts instruction and the other is for them to read as much as possible,” IPS District Media Coordinator Joe Troyer said. “With the Shared System, they have a wealth of stuff that they’re eager to read that we now are able to put in their hands as often as they want.”
Troyer said IPS is on track to circulate more than 150,000 books to students this school year.
Shared System reaches all IPS students
The partnership allows Indianapolis Public Schools students to borrow books from any city library branch as well as other Shared System partners.
Students are given a free public library card, and their requested materials are delivered directly to their school for easy access. Students also get access to the library’s research materials, e-books and online databases.
“Now that we have the circulation going, we’re always able to get books. It doesn’t matter if we don’t have it.”
— Donnie Dearinger, a fourth-grader at William McKinley School 39
A few IPS schools have long had access to the Shared System, but the district began ramping up school partners in 2022 using federal money awarded to educators during the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials this week celebrated a milestone. With the addition of eight buildings this year, all IPS schools are now part of IndyPL’s Shared System. That includes all 41 schools directly managed by the district as well as four schools in IPS’ Innovation Network.
Participating Innovation Network schools include Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School, Adelante at Emma Donnan School 72, Christel House Academy South and Christel House Academy West.
Lawrence Township schools as well as some charter and private schools also participate in the program.
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With access now available to all students, Troyer said his mission turns to educating students, families and school communities about the resource to increase circulation.
“Let’s get everybody on board so the kids are able to place holds,” Troyer said, “Let’s get everybody using the digital book platform. What can we do to get into buildings and talk to teachers about the resources they can use?”
William McKinley Principal Deana Harger-Perry is a ready partner.
When she first started working at the school, she found many books in the library were outdated. Little by little, she used what was left over in her school’s budget to add new titles — but that was never more than a couple boxes of books.
Now, as a part of the Shared System, students like Dearinger can read complete series of books. If the school library doesn’t have it, staff will help kids find it and bring it to them — eliminating an extra trip to their nearest library branch.
“It’s giving all of our students access to all of the titles and resources throughout the whole city,” Harger-Perry said. “This is a game changer for us.”
The full list of schools and organizations participating in the Shared System can be found on the Indianapolis Public Library website.
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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