 The 10,000-square-foot Carnegie library is in the historic part of town, just a few blocks away from the lake, community center, and local historical museum. Since the library opened in 1921, it has grown into a vital resource for the community, offering diverse physical and digital collections, and providing opportunities for education and community engagement through effective programs and services. A supportive Board of Trustees and an energetic, enthusiastic, and innovative staff help to create a welcoming environment that fosters community engagement and belonging. The library is well-supported by a generous property tax base. The next director will have the opportunity to build on this foundation, ensuring the library remains an essential asset for future generations. The Board of Trustees have embarked on a building project to construct a new library near its current location, on land donated by the Town of Syracuse. The initial work — architectural design, ecological studies, surveys, and land assessments — are complete and construction is estimated to begin in the Spring of 2026. Desired Skills and AttributesThe 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. PrioritiesKey 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. Essential Job FunctionsBoard of Trustees
Personnel/Professional
Financial
Facility and Operations
Community
Qualifications and Requirements
Benefits and CompensationThis is a salary position commensurate with qualifications and experience, with a starting range of $65,000 to $75,000, based upon a 40-hour work week. Benefits include health insurance, life insurance, PTO, and employer retirement contributions. ContactInterested applicants should send a resume, letter of interest, and three references to [email protected] by July 18, 2025. Snapshots of SPL & Syracuse
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Adults, teens and children can sign up now for Syracuse Public Library’s summer reading program, which officially starts June 2 and wraps up July 18. This year’s theme is “Color Our World.” All ages will embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating the myriad ways in which art enriches our lives. 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. 
Special Collections at the Boston Public Library (Photo Credit Lucie Faulknor)
INDEPENDENT LENS announced the launch of the new season of Indie Lens Pop-Up, the long-running screening series that brings people together for community-driven conversations around its thought-provoking documentaries. 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. 
Starting May 1, Fairfield Community Schools children and home-schooled children in Benton, Clinton and Jackson townships, will be able to come to the Syracuse Public Library and register for a free summer library card, thanks to an anonymous donor who created the Fairfield Literacy Fund. In 2025, families will share one card. Teens can have their own card if they are the only child in the family. This change is to allow us to stretch the Fairfield Literacy Fund further. This program is for children, preschool through 12th grade for the 2025-2026 school year.
To register, parents should bring proof of residency in one of the three townships. All summer library cards expire on Aug. 31. The last day to register for a card is Aug. 1. 
The Friends of the Syracuse Public Library will partner with the Knights of Columbus once again to hold a Bingo Fundraiser! Doors will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Knights of Columbus building, 414 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse, IN. Bingo will start at 6:30 p.m. Players must be 18 years or older and are encouraged to arrive early to grab a seat. Additionally, three bonanza games will be played before 6:30 p.m. The session costs $22. A full kitchen will also be available all night, serving hamburgers or brats with chips and desserts for only $3. Attendees are also encouraged to bring children's glue sticks or acrylic craft paint to receive chances to win door prizes! 
To our patrons, neighbors, and friends throughout Turkey Creek Township, On behalf of the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library, its staff, and Board of Trustees, I want to share a significant development affecting both your hometown library and libraries nationwide.
On Friday, March 14, the White House issued Executive Order #14238, calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the nation’s only federal agency for America’s libraries. This executive order defunds an independent federal agency charged with providing financial support for books, databases, digitization programs, resource sharing, and training for library workers everywhere. IMLS funding is not merely a line item in a budget; it is a lifeline that supports critical library infrastructure and programs that benefit every resident. Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library receives support from IMLS through the Indiana State Library. The services directly impacted by the elimination of IMLS include:
Community members have asked what they can do or to learn more about these actions. Current information can be obtained at the Indiana Library Federation website: https://www.ilfonline.org/advocacy. As a rule, the Library does not involve itself in politics. A staunch commitment to neutrality informs our mission to strengthen our community and enrich lives by providing equitable and impartial access to information and opportunities to learn, explore, inspire, and connect. However, this recent executive order calling for the elimination of the IMLS represents a significant financial threat to library services nationwide. Sincerely, Kim Blaha Executive Director Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library 
Syracuse Public Library's seed library is now available upstairs! Each family can “check out” 10 seed packets — only 1 packet per seed variety (ex. one type of carrot). These are checkouts that you don't have to worry about returning.
Don’t have a library card? You can still “check out” seeds; we have a special library card for the seed library. 
SPL’s adult book club will read “The Woman They Could Not Silence” by Kate Moore. Braving the confines of an oppressive mental asylum, Elizabeth Packard defied all odds as she fought for her freedom and the rights of countless other women confined against their will. With relentless determination, she became a voice that resonated across the nation, igniting a movement for change.
The discussion occurs at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in the downstairs meeting room. Copies of the novel are available at the Syracuse Public Library. A digital e-book and audiobook may be available on the Libby app. The e-book is also on Hoopla. For information or to recommend a future book club pick, email Hanna at [email protected]. 
SPL’s adult book club will read “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” by Tia Williams in February. Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York, and whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked.
The discussion occurs at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the downstairs meeting room. Copies of the novel are available at the Syracuse Public Library. A digital e-book and audiobook may be available on the Libby app. For information or to recommend a future book club pick, email Emilia at [email protected].  The Friends of the Syracuse Public Library are holding a special fundraiser in February: A Blind Date With a Book. Embark on a romantic rendezvous with a gently used book — title unknown — from Feb. 1-28, or while supplies last. Each uniquely wrapped book is $10 and comes with hidden surprises inside. These books could also make a fabulous gift for fellow book lovers. All proceeds go to support the library.
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