On Monday, Oct. 28, Arkos Design of Mishawaka returned to the Syracuse Public Library for a follow-up to September’s building project workshop. Arkos representatives shared two potential concepts for staff, board of trustees’ members, and Friends of the Library to view. Both concepts show the possibility of a 14,568-square-foot library structure on the 705 N. Dolan Drive. The concepts feature study spaces, meeting rooms that could be accessed after library hours, a central circulation desk, a quiet reading space, and more.
Attendees were able to provide feedback on the concepts for future refinements. Going forward, there will be additional meetings where the community will be encouraged to attend. Currently, community members can ask to see the concepts at the adult and children desks. The concepts are not final designs.
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This October, the library is partnering with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum and Indiana Humanities to hold a traveling community artifact exhibit. Community members can loan local artifacts and heirlooms to this exhibit, including photos, locally found fossils, locally made items, etc. These items will be displayed at the library from Oct. 7-11 (during library hours) before going to the museum from Oct. 11-21 (Click here for the museum's hours).
Items must be brought to the library by Friday, Oct. 4, with a brief postcard-sized description. We ask that contact information also be included After the exhibit wraps up, items can be picked up at the library starting Tuesday, Oct. 22. This program is made possible through a grant from the Indiana Humanities. One State / One Story: All That She Carried is presented by Indiana Humanities in partnership with the Indiana Center for the Book and the Indiana State Library as part of Indiana Humanities’ Advancing Racial Equity Project, supported by Lilly Endowment. 
Arkos architect Jeff Anglemyer speaks during the workshop to get attendees brainstorming.
On Sept. 24, Syracuse Public Library closed for a library design workshop for board of trustee members, Friends of the Syracuse Public Library, and staff. The workshop examined what elements could fit in a new library built on the Dolan Street Property. Attendees were encouraged to dream during the session, and there were some cool features, including a business center with a laminator; a fenced in space for children to enjoy; a meeting space that the public could use (including after library hours); and private study rooms. Becky’s Garden could also be expanded and feature a calming walkway. There would also be outdoor spaces designed for different age groups — adults, too!
There are no finalized designs. The architects at Arkos Design will take information gleaned at the workshop and further refine it. SPL will hold additional meetings that will be open to the public. Watch for news on SPL’s website. As the project develops, follow its progress at https://www.syracuse.lib.in.us/building-project.html.  New changes have arrived on the Libby app! Here's the scoop of what to expect when you open the app.
After reviewing proposals from four architecture firms, the library board of trustees has selected Arkos Design of Mishawaka to design the new library at Dolan Drive and Main Street. The community will participate in the design process through a series of explorative community meetings facilitated by Arkos Design.
SPL is very excited to begin planning this summer, and hope to have an initial design by late fall. Look for updates on the project on our website; a special page for the project will arrive soon. 
Free Fairfield summer library cards are back at the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library from May 1-Aug. 1! These cards are made possible by the Fairfield Schools Literacy Fund, created by an anonymous donor who wanted to stop the summer slide for students living in the Fairfield Schools district. Families and children can sign up for a card any time from May 1-Aug. 1, with cards all expiring on Aug. 31. Who Qualifies?Children, ages birth to entering 12th grade in 2024, who live in either Benton, Clinton, or Jackson townships. The Fund is only available to children. What If We Homeschool?Home-schooled children who live in Benton, Clinton, or Jackson townships also qualify for a free summer library card. What Do We Need To Bring?Families will need to bring proof of their residence in Benton, Clinton, or Jackson townships. This can be an updated driver's license, or a photo ID and utility bill. Children, 13 and older, can sign up upstairs. Younger children should sign up downstairs. To sign up for a library card without an adult, you must be at least 18 years old. If you're younger than 18, you will need an adult with you. What Services Do We Receive With A Fairfield Card?You can check out materials (excluding hotspots) from the Syracuse Public Library and other Evergreen Libraries (like North Webster, Ligonier, Milford, etc.) and access digital apps like Libby and Hoopla!
Becky's Garden will come to life in May! SPL's In the Garden group welcomes the entire community to help it create this memorial garden at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 23, in Community Roots outdoor space. This native plant memorial garden will honor long-time Syracuse Public Library librarian Becky Brower's passion for the natural world, particularly native plants and pollinators. Through its creation, we will continue to spread awareness for the valuable role played by native plants and hopefully encourage a greater appreciation for them within the community. The Becky's Garden web page will chronicle the garden's progress and provide educational resources for those wanting to learn more about its plants and native plants and animals in general, Plant DonationsFor the planting, In the Garden is seeking specific native plant donations. Group members have compiled a list of plants (see the PDF below) that will be accepted. Those interested in donating a plant from the list can email what they have to Sarah Wright at [email protected]. Space is limited, and we want to fit in as many people as possible. We will organize donations and let everyone know which of their plants we will be taking prior to the planting. Plants labeled with Becky's garden will be donated by Becky's husband, Michael, from their personal garden. 
Bringing Plant DonationsPeople can bring the plants In the Garden has confirmed they want to the library either a few days before the planting (May 23) or on the day of the planting. Please be sure to email Sarah so we know what to expect. Rock DonationsIn the Garden is also seeking rock donations to create bee habitats for our native burrowing bees like the bumble bee! Once again, email Sarah and let us know what you have.  
The Friends are partnering with the Knights of Columbus for a Bingo Fundraiser on Saturday, April 20, at Knights of Columbus Hall, 414 Sycamore St., Syracuse. Doors open at 5 p.m. with regular bingo starting at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 for a game packet. Food is available to purchase. Cash only. Must be 18 and older for admittance. Proceeds go to Friends of the Syracuse Library to support the library.
After April 15, users with devices running Android OS 7.1.0 or earlier will be required to update their operating system or switch to another supported device to continue using OverDrive services. Starting the week of March 25, impacted Libby users will see a message to update their OS or switch to another supported device to continue using the app. This message will include steps for how to use a setup code to easily copy their library cards, loans, holds, and tags to another device.
In an email announcing this change, Overdrive stated, "We apologize for the inconvenience this will have on users with impacted devices. This change is necessary to uphold OverDrive’s standards of security and patron privacy and our commitment to delivering a quality experience to all libraries and their users." The same email noted that usage on Android OS 7.1.0 and earlier has been declining and accounts for approximately 1.5% of all OverDrive users, with Libby users being the most impacted. Note that Google has also discontinued support for these earlier versions of the Android OS. 
The seed library has returned to the Syracuse Public Library. Each family can “check out” up to 10 seed packets. While packets are checked out, there’s no need to return them. Those without library cards can also check out packets. This year’s seed library features several packets donated by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds out of Mansfield, Mo. There is a good variety of vegetables, melons, herbs and flowers to enjoy. Those who check out the seeds are encouraged to share photos of their garden with the library. Send them to SPL’s communications specialist, Sarah Wright, at [email protected], and she will share them on the library’s social media pages. |
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