October marks a major transition at the Syracuse Public Library as its executive director of almost 11 years, Kim Blaha, retires and Jon Gaskill steps into the role of helming the library.

Blaha became Syracuse Public Library’s executive director on Jan. 2, 2015. Previously, she had worked at eight different libraries in four different states, including in Illinois, Oregon, Wisconsin and Indiana. Libraries have served as a passion in Blaha’s life, and she received her master’s in library science in 1987.

“I loved most everything about (being a director),” Blaha stated. “The creativity and problem solving the job required were the best. I grew beyond anything I ever did before. The job required my whole self.”

During her tenure at the Syracuse Public Library, Blaha helped conclude its ongoing remodel that had started prior to her arrival. She would also beautify the library’s front landscaping, creating a more inviting entrance. In 2020, Blaha steered the library through the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 shutdowns, during which the library pivoted to curbside pickups, ensuring patrons could still access materials while following social distancing mandates. Among her many accomplishments were the creation of the Community Roots outdoor space, for which Blaha had secured a grant; the addition of the Indiana Legal Kiosk; and helping direct feasibility studies for a new library building.

However, Blaha noted, “The most important thing to me was helping staff grow as people and become confident in themselves and in their work. Physical things like remodels and building projects are great and look good but helping the library serve the community and seeing people belong to something larger than themselves, learn and discover new things is the greatest thing I could have facilitated.”

Gaskill began his role as executive director on Oct. 13, bringing years of library experience. He noted, “I have been working in libraries for over 15 years and have been an administrator for about 10 of those years. I have done adult programming, taught computer classes, worked a reference desk, ordered materials, handled genealogy research and requests, worked the desk, messed around in makerspaces enough to be dangerous — I have been a director, assistant director.”

Gaskill participated in the Indiana Librarian Leadership Academy 2013 cohort and the ALA Leadership Institute. He has also successfully written many grants. Most recently, he served as the executive director of the Wabash Carnegie Public Library.

“I was drawn to be the director at Syracuse as I heard through the grapevine that Kim was retiring, and I was looking for an opportunity closer to home, so I took a leap of faith to apply and interview,” Gaskill said. “I was happy to work in Wabash, and they were happy with me, but this position just makes sense and allows me to make a difference in my community. I consider myself lucky to be able to work in my hometown.”

In his new position, Gaskill hopes to bring in more people to the library and expand access to library cards, focusing on children. His third goal is to increase circulation and participation in library programs.

“A reading community makes a huge difference in so many things, especially economically,” he said. “(It gives) people the opportunity to stick and stay, not just move away for big towns. I love Syracuse — it has heart, and people are so welcoming and kind. I want to foster that feeling.”

Gaskill resides near Lake Wawasee and Papakeechie Lake with his wife, Ali, two sons and a stepdaughter.

As for Blaha, she shared, “I look forward to being with my grandson and seeing him grow. Babies make you live in the moment. That’s refreshing!”

There’s nothing like a Halloween spent visiting the Syracuse Public Library.

We’re bringing back the Halloween Party from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in our outdoor parking lot. Come for candy and delicious monster munch (trail mix) and stay for the dance party and games! Or come and go as you trick-or-treat through the neighborhood. (We understand! You need all the sweets!)

​This year, we’ll have a duck decorating contest, where children will decorate rubber duckies. Pick up ducks on or after Monday, Sept. 29, and return the finished ducks to the library by Oct. 24. The ducks will be judged in two separate age brackets — bigs (ages 7-12) and littles (0-6) — with prize baskets!

​Censorship Is So 1984 -- Read for Your Rights! With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984 serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship. This year’s Banned Books Week theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights. Banned Books Week will take place October 5 – 11, 2025.

“The 2025 theme of Banned Books Week serves as a reminder that censorship efforts persist to this day,” ALA President Cindy Hohl said. “We must always come together to stand up for the right to read.”
During National Library Week, ALA released the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 list and the State of America’s Libraries report. The majority of book censorship attempts now originate from organized movements. Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members, and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites, which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books. 
Banned Books Week launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores. 

Gaskill has worked in libraries for over 15 years, serving as an administrator for about 10 of those years.

“I have done adult programming, taught computer classes, worked a reference desk, ordered materials, genealogy research and requests, worked the desk, messed around in makerspaces, enough to be dangerous,” Gaskill shared.
Gaskill’s experience includes small, medium, and large libraries.
Gaskill said, “I became a library director by  accident — I was working as a reference librarian and the board president and interim director invited me to come to board meetings. They kept asking me if I was ‘getting this’ as in, are you ready to take over as director — they finally made it official, and I took over as director of the Fulton County Public Library in  Rochester in January 2013. There are so many things they ‘do not teach you in library school,’ and I love a challenge, and have loved each opportunity to learn and grow professionally.”  
Gaskill most recently served as the executive director of the Wabash Carnegie Public Library before applying for the Syracuse position.
He noted, “I was drawn to be the director at Syracuse as I heard through the grapevine that Kim was retiring, and I was looking for an opportunity closer to home, so I took a leap of faith to apply and interview. I was happy to work in Wabash, and they were happy with me, but this position just makes sense and allows me to make a difference in my community. I consider myself lucky to be able to work in my hometown.“
Gaskill continued, “My goals in every public library for which I have worked are three, primarily: 1.) I hope to draw more people to the library space; 2.) To help more people access library cards — put more cards into more hands,  especially kids’ hands; and 3.) To increase circulation and participation in library programs and checking out materials. A reading community makes a huge difference in so many things, especially economically and giving people opportunities to stick and stay, not just move away for the big towns, or move back because there are things they want or need here. I love Syracuse — it has heart, and people are so welcoming and kind; I want to foster that feeling. “
Gaskill has a wife of almost 18 years, Ali, and two boys — 12 and 16 — and a 21-year-old stepdaughter. The family also has two big lab nutty mutts and two cats.

Clinton Township (Elkhart County) and the Syracuse Public Library have entered a partnership as of July 2025 to cover part of the nonresident card fee and student nonresident cards during select time periods.

Nonresident Cards
Clinton Township will now pay 50% of a Clinton Township resident’s 12-month nonresident library card. This is limited to one card per household.
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Student Nonresident Cards
Clinton Township will cover 100% of a student nonresident card for four months, from May 1 to Aug. 31.

How Do I Know If I Live In Clinton Township
If you are unsure what township you reside in, visit Censusreporter.org and enter your address. When you search, a Census Reporter box will appear (see circled below), with a whole lot of helpful information. You will look for the township. In the example below, the library's township (Turkey Creek Township) is highlighted in yellow.

With the designation, the library has received picture books showcasing notable women athletes for its collection, along with some nice swag items. SPL will also hold a field day at the library’s new lot, located at 705 N. Dolan Drive.
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From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, families can come and go as needed and play various yard games. Children and teens can win prizes from the WNBA’s All-Star Reads Program.

​Patrons who visit the Syracuse Public Library can now monitor their blood pressure at home as part of the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart initiative.

The library has three validated monitor-and-cuff kits — one for in-library use and two that can be checked out for two weeks for use at home. Each kit includes American Heart Association-guided materials on how to take your blood pressure at home, what the numbers mean, a log for recording numbers and a list of local health care providers ready to answer questions.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of American adults — about 120 million people — have high blood pressure, or hypertension, which can lead to deadly health consequences such as stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss and sexual dysfunction if left untreated. The best way to determine if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked and discuss the results with your health care provider.
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For more information on blood pressure, visit www.heart.org.

​The executive director is responsible for steering the course of the library. Necessary skills include intentional communication, thoughtful planning, collaborative action, and constructive problem-solving. Kindness, wisdom, empathy, patience, forbearance, and a sense of humor are essential personal attributes for this position.

​Key priorities include maintaining the library’s rich history while advancing modern library services, cultivating a positive workplace culture, maintaining financial solvency and growth, and increasing the educational, cultural, and recreational benefits library services bring to the community. As the leader of our library team, this position requires full-time, in-person work to support staff, engage with the community, and oversee daily operations.

Get started by downloading the Beanstack app, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Syracuse Public Library. Participants will then create an account, following the app’s directions, before searching for “Syracuse Public Library (IN)” to join their age groups’ reading challenge. Library staff are also available to help participants sign up, including with paper registration sheets. A library card is not required to participate in SPL’s summer reading challenge or its programs.

This year, all ages will track their reading by the minute to earn fun prizes, including the chance to win the grand prizes. Incentive and pick-a-prize pickups begin the week of June 9. Syracuse Public Library hopes to reach a community goal of 450,000 minutes read during the 2025 summer reading program.

For more information and programming details, visit the library’s summer reading webpage at https://www.syracuse.lib.in.us/summer-reading.html.

The Syracuse Public Library will host  the documentary “Free for All: The Public Library” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, in the downstairs meeting room.

Filmmakers Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor turn the cameras on America’s beloved public institution — the library — and the dramatic human stories unfolding within it.

After the film, we’ll hold a Q&A session with SPL Executive Director Kim Blaha and SPL Assistant Director Megan Daumen. Blaha will also share updates on the library's building project.

Brew City Roasting Company will provide lemonade and pastries during this special event.