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SYRACUSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
  • Home
  • Library Info
    • About >
      • Our Mission
      • Our History
      • Board of Trustees
      • Meet Our Staff
      • The Friends
      • Becky's Garden
    • Building Project
    • Policies and Procedures
    • Services >
      • General
      • Technology
      • Historical Research
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    • Calendar
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Building Our
​Next Chapter

To further our mission of lifelong learning ...

The Syracuse Turkey-Creek Township Public Library has not expanded its physical space in over 30 years and identified a need to expand and renovate the library to maintain or enhance its ability to retain staff and serve the surrounding community.

The initial 2022 feasibility study explored options to remodel and expand the existing structure while identifying key goals to enable the library to better serve the community. These included larger group meeting spaces; individual study spaces/rooms; improved accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance; improved public bathrooms; more storage and workspaces for staff; improved parking; electrical infrastructure; a business center; and more.

​At that time, the board determined it would be more cost-effective to build a new building because of the limitations of space presented by the small amount of land available at the present site and the necessity of vacating an alley, which served local businesses, located between the existing library building and the available property.

In 2024, the town of Syracuse presented the Syracuse Public Library with the deed for a property located at 705 N. Dolan Dr. to pursue a new library building. Since then, the library has contracted Arkos Design of Mishawaka to begin the planning process for a new library. As part of the process, the library and Arkos Design will host meetings to gather community feedback to guide the design process.
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Challenges of the Current Library Site
  • The existing lift is very slow and does not always work, making it difficult for patrons to access either floor.
  • There is a desire for additional meeting and study space for the public that would be offered free of charge.
  • The new outdoor patio area does not provide much shade so it can get hot during the summer.
  • There is not enough parking in close proximity to the building.
  • The existing adult area could use a slight increase in size to accommodate the current needs.
  • The existing young adult area could double to triple in size to accommodate the current needs.
  • The existing meeting room partition is rarely used because it does not provided a sufficient sound barrier.
  • The existing meeting room is not accessible for use after hours.
  • The existing upper level restrooms are extremely small and not ADA accessible.
  • The existing lower level restrooms are oversized for single-users.
  • The staff does not feel they have sufficient space to work on projects in either the lower or upper level.
  • The adjacent property is not contiguous t the existing library and require the vacation of an alley and relocation of overhead power lines to accommodate an addition to the existing building.

Tentative Project Timeline

Project details are still coming together. Check back for project information and public events.
Blank Temporary Timeline

FAQs

This FAQ is still being developed as more project details are finalized.
WHy REnovate The existing Library building?
​Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library initially explored renovating and expanding the existing library structure. Due to its age and operational challenges, it would cost more to add on to and rehabilitate the current building. To be able to stay in operation, the collection would need moved during the rehabilitation process, costing taxpayers more. Additionally, the alley behind the library is used by local businesses and could not be vacated.

The planned library structure for the Dolan Street property will be one story and much more efficient to heat and cool, offering greater energy savings for the library. Other benefits include improved security and accessibility. SPL serves a variety of patrons, including those with mobility issues. The stairs are challenging for these patrons. Our current lift is difficult to operate for those with mobility issues, and if it stops working, the entire library becomes inaccessible. An updated lift/elevator would be expensive purchase and maintain.

See "Challenges of the Current Library Site" in this page's introduction for more reasons for the move.
Will the library leave uptown/downtown?
​Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library will remain centrally located in the downtown/uptown area at its new location of 705 N. Dolan Drive. The library has spent two years investigating potential properties. Most of the available properties would have moved the library outside of Syracuse or were not available for sale.

The 705 N. Dolan Drive allowed SPL to maintain its downtown Syracuse presence and was given to the library by the town of Syracuse with the stipulation that if a library could not be built on the land, ownership would revert back to the town.
Isn't the 705 N. Dolan Drive Property in a floodPlaIn?
Extensive studies have been completed on the 705 N. Dolan Drive property. The western edge of the property is within the floodplain and will go unused. With variances, Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library hopes to build a 14,000-sqaure-foot-plus structure. Current concepts show this as possible, though the proposed new library structure is in the design phase.

​Soil borings will occur on the site to ensure the proper foundation is selected for the land.
What will happen to the old building?
​Syracuse Public Library will sell its current library structure located at 115. E. Main St. The sale would not occur until after the library can move into its new structure.

Just A Minute Away

From Main Street to Dolan Drive

The new proposed library site (705 N. Dolan Drive) is located just .2 miles from the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township's current location of 115 E. Main St.

As the library embarks on the next chapter of its lifelong learning mission, it is pleased to remain within downtown/uptown Syracuse.

Latest Project News

In Progress

Check back later for photos related to the building project.

Building Project Documents

On November 15, 2023, Arkos Design submitted a feasibility study for the 705 N. Dolan Dr. property, showing potential library structure possibilities. No designs have been finalized for the potential new library building.
View November 2023 Feasibility Study
Arkos Design presented a schematic design to the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Board of Trustees during its December meeting. The board approved this design. A schematic design is the first phase of the architectural process and details are likely to change while other details like coloration have not been finalized.
Schematic Design December 2024

Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library
115 East Main Street
Syracuse, IN

HOURS

Monday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday: 12-8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday: 12-8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

CONTACT US

Phone: (574) 457-3022
​Fax: (574) 457-8971

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  • Home
  • Library Info
    • About >
      • Our Mission
      • Our History
      • Board of Trustees
      • Meet Our Staff
      • The Friends
      • Becky's Garden
    • Building Project
    • Policies and Procedures
    • Services >
      • General
      • Technology
      • Historical Research
      • Requests and Recs
    • Calendar
    • FAQ
  • Departments
    • Children
    • Young Adults
    • Adults
  • Catalog/My Account
  • News
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