For information, contact YA services library Michelle Parker at mparker@syracuse.lib.in.us or call (574) 457-3022, ext. 2008. If you need assistance with registration, staff at the SPL can help you. Programs also have paper sign-up sheets at the upstairs circulation desk.
The library’s Board of Trustees welcomed Jeff Anglemyer, senior principal architect at Arkos Design of Mishawaka, to its Nov. 20 meeting. He shared a feasibility study for the Dolan Drive/Main Street property, which focused on how the lot might be used rather than presenting any official designs.
One of the library’s prime goals is to build a single-floor structure to capture both construction and long-term HVAC savings; improve accessibility; and lessen staffing challenges. The study presented by Anglemyer largely showed how that might be accomplished on the site. For right now, the library is waiting for the removal of a buried tank on the Dolan Drive property, which is expected to occur on Jan. 18 and 19 with the assistance of a grant from Michiana Area Council of Governments. Ownership of the property will not pass to the library until after the tank’s removal because of the grant. If all goes well, further design work will occur after the transfer of property ownership. We will keep everyone informed throughout this process.
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By Sarah Wright"There was a time, not very long ago, when we lived in an enchanted world of elegant palaces and grand parties. The year was 1916 and my son Nicholas, was the Czar of Imperial Russia." *Que the waltz and CLAP-CLAP!** Cut the waltz! Cut the waltz! This isn't the animated "Anastasia" film. But "The Last Tiara" by M. J. Rose does capture the glittery grandeur of Imperial Russia and its stunning collapse. It, too, centers around a plot MacGuffin, only this one was previously owned by another grand duchess, Olga Nikolaevna Romanova -- the eldest sister. The connection to the Olga is actually how I landed on "The Last Tiara." I completed a random search on Hoopla hoping to find Olga's diary; instead, I found a novel. I harbor a fondness for OTMA (Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia) as the collective Romanov daughter were referred to, so I decided to give the audiobook a try, particularly since Olga is not the sister to get a lot of attention in fictional retellings. While the Romanov daughters make appearances, they never take center stage. Instead, readers follow dual timelines, split between a mother and her daughter. In the story's present of 1949 New York City, a daughter seeks to uncover her mother's past in Russia after uncovering a stripped tiara during her apartment renovations. The reader then gets to follow her mother as she navigates newly renamed Petrograd, Russia, in 1915. "The Last Tiara" offers fascinating historical details combined with romance and mystery. In particular, I enjoyed the jaunt into the House of Faberge and the jewelry market that sprouted as wealthy Russian emigres fled abroad -- often only with the gems they could conceal. M.J. Rose definitely did her research into both time periods. In some cases, she was all too eager to share her efforts by providing a few information dumps. These didn't upset my reading experience, but I'm also interest in this type of historic detail ... so your mileage may vary! Verdict"The Last Tiara" gets four out of five stars from me. I enjoyed the audiobook version of the novel. The narrator, Tavia Gilbert, hit it out of the park, particularly with all her Russian pronunciations and accents. This novel should be an enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction, particularly those who enjoy a dash of romance and a sprinkling of mystery.
The Libby App has a digital copy of the audiobook and e-book available, while Hoopla has the digital audiobook. 
Syracuse Public Library is constantly adding new stories to the shelves! Here are just a few new ones that will spot now through December. Be sure to check some of them out!
To wrap up the year, Syracuse Public Library has done a combined order of DVDs for November and December. Titles in red are brand-new to the library! Please remember that some titles will not become available until December.
By Kim Blaha | SPL Executive Director The Board of Trustees and I have been planning for our new library building. It has been a long, slow process so far, but we are making progress. The shortest amount of time after we acquire the property and approve architectural drawings to moving into the new building is 3 years if everything goes smoothly. Here are some things that have been or need to be done before we can start building. Obtain a building site: Almost completed
The Town of Syracuse has offered us the property at 705 N. Dolan Drive as the site for our new library building. A deed has been drawn up by the Town Attorney, Jay Rigdon, and is in the process of revision, according to the recommendation of the Library’s Attorney, Steve Snyder. Environmental Site Assessment Studies, Phase I & II: Done Possible site clean-up: In process Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) has provided us a grant to have two Environmental Site Assessment studies completed. Phase I, completed in February, involved research into the history of the property to determine the likelihood of soil and water contamination at the site. According to the report, “Past property uses included the Syracuse Fire Department, municipal water pump house, and the municipal wastewater treatment plant and lagoons. Operational equipment associated with these uses could indicate the ‘likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products’ as noted in the standard.” Phase II was completed in July. This study included soil boring and groundwater sampling. The report noted that some elevated levels of arsenic and lead in the groundwater were found, but nothing so drastic as to require action. There is a suspected underground storage tank on the property that will have to be removed if it is determined to be present. We are working with MACOG to see if there is any more funding for that process. The next steps will be choosing an architect and finding the funding for construction. We have been working with Arkos Design, who did our feasibility study, and they have provided some rudimentary drawings of possible building design and placements on the property. We will be working with Baker Tilly for building project funding advice and searching for grants and donations. After we move to the new building, we will sell the old library building, and use the funds to pay down the debt. 
Teens get ready for special October programs as part of TeenTober! These programs are in addition to monthly clubs. Also, don't forget to pick up a punch card to log your library/program visits for a chance to win an enormous bag of candy! Book TastingEnjoy a full course of great books during this special tasting from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Rosalyn Jones Room. ImprovDust off your acting skills for improv from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the downstairs meeting room. Bring some props for added fun! Scary StoriesBring a scary story to tell to the group or listen to a librarian share theirs from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in the Rosalyn Jones Room. Sphero RoboticsPurdue Extension Office 4-H is coming from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Rosalyn Jones Room to the library with Sphero robots. Teens will practice coding to direct them through a maze. Registration required. The program will not happen unless 5 or more teens sign up. DIY PinsCreate your own themed pins from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the Rosalyn Jones Room. Registration required! Five Nights at Freddy's Escape RoomAll ages can sign up to solve SPL's "Five Nights at Freddy's" themed escape room. More information about the escape room can be found here. 
Do you have what it takes to solve SPL’s new “Five Nights at Freddy’s” themed escape room? Register to find out! Attendees will need to solve a series of puzzles in the Rosalyn Jones Room to unlock the master box to escape. T he library has four slots available for registration at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2; 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11; 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19; and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 (This last slot has been booked). Click the date you are interested in on the library’s online calendar, http://rb.gy/6udmk, and register digitally. If none of the time slots work, reach out to Michelle Parker to set up an alternative time for the escape room. Call her at (574) 457-3022, ext. 2008, or by email at mparker@syracuse.lib.in.us.
Each month is filled with excitement as Syracuse Public Library welcomes new DVDs to its collection. Titles in red with an asterisk beside them are brand-new to the library; please note some titles may arrive later in the month. If you see a DVD that interests you, ask us to add you to the holds list.
There's always something new at the Syracuse Public Library as we constantly receive shipments of new books. Fans of young adult books have several new titles to look forward to this September and October. Browse the list below for just some of the offerings. As always, be sure to visit our new YA book display in the Rosalyn Jones Room each time you visit.
Does a friend or family member live in the town of Syracuse or Turkey Creek Township and doesn’t have a library card? If yes, encourage them to sign up for a card at the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library this September during National Library Card Sign-up Month. Resident library cards have no added cost since they are paid for by residents’ tax dollars. Beyond gaining access to a wealth of reading materials and DVDs, SPL library card holders can visit and check materials out from any Evergreen Indiana library, including Milford, North Webster or Ligonier, to name a few. SPL patrons can also use digital resources like Libby or Hoopla to read e-books; listen to audiobooks and music albums; or watch television shows, movies and documentaries. Hotspots are another popular item at the Syracuse Public Library and help connect patrons with the internet in their homes or wherever they may roam. As a bonus, everyone who signs up for a new library card in September will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. All ages are included in the drawing. Syracuse Public Library also offers non-resident library cards, available at a rate set by the state of Indiana. Those who sign up for a non-resident library card will also be eligible to take part in the drawing. For details about our card policies, visit www.syracuse.lib.in.us/policies-and-procedures.html.  Michelle and Katie are ready to get you set up with Evergreen Indiana library cards -- as are other SPL staff members! |
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