Homeschooling parents can choose between attending one of two sessions. The first session is from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 23, and will feature speakers Kathy Balke, Indiana Association of Home Educators Region 2 representative; Anita Buck, early learners reading and math; Rebekah Sceniak, SPL’s homeschool class teacher; Ashley Weaver, presenter of the Joyful Noise Learning YouTube channel; and Deb Cotton, owner of Care Books and More in New Paris.

An evening session will follow from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. It will feature the same speakers except for Cotton, who will leave information behind for Thursday’s attendees.
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Both sessions will feature a resource table that homeschoolers can explore. These sessions will occur in the downstairs meeting room.

For decades, Brower had been a major proponent of lifelong learning at the library. She touched the lives of many people who came through the library's doors with creative programs, an infectious sense of humor and acts of kindness.

Everyone is welcome to come and go from the remembrance as they need to. During it, attendees can share their memories of Brower and talk with each other. Library staff have put together a slideshow, which will play throughout the remembrance. The Friends of the Syracuse Public Library will also serve cookies and refreshments.

The library will close early at 4 p.m. on July 24 so staff can attend the remembrance.

The Indiana State Library has changed the transit company that was used by all Indiana libraries to send and receive materials. With any change, there is a transitionary period, which may result in some holds taking longer to be received.

The Syracuse Public Library asks everyone to have patience during this transition. Over time, hold times should be reduced.

Patrons and library staff are encouraged to leave memories of Becky on the bulletin board behind her desk upstairs in the library. We have provided slips of paper. Those wanting to leave digital thoughts are welcome to do so on the library's social media posts about Becky.

Megan has also put together a memorial for Becky in the Main Street entry display case. It features Becky in her element, helming programs, encouraging learning, and interacting with people. Becky had many interests and passions, from the natural world to literature to coffee and tasty food. These are all highlighted there.

The library will also hold a remembrance from 4-6 p.m. Monday, July 24, in Community Roots, as long as the weather cooperates. We will close the library early on that day so staff members can attend. Attendees will be able to share memories or other words about Becky. As planning continues, we will share more details in the future.

SPL's In the Garden group is planning to create a native plants memorial garden in Community Roots for Becky, who was incredibly passionate about native pollinators and plants. We will share more details about this project as it gets underway.

All ages are encouraged to team up to work out the clues and riddles in the Rosalyn Jones Room. Each team will have an hour to do so.

Visit the Syracuse Public Library’s digital calendar — https://shorturl.at/cxJPT — to find available time slots. Once a desirable date and time is found, register for it through the calendar by clicking “register now.” Fill out the form with your contact information and the number of people within your party.

​Contact Parker at (574) 457-3022, ext. 2008, or [email protected] for information or to schedule on the phone or by email.​​​​

Children and teens can sign up for summer reading from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; those without library cards can also sign up. During the party, play outdoor games — including cornhole and the giant “Connect Four” — and decorate the sidewalk with chalk. Scratchers will be given away at sign-up, with children winning either prizes or raffle tickets. Attendees will also enjoy root beer floats while supplies last.

At 11 a.m., the library will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Community Roots (alongside the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce), which the public and project donors can attend. The Community Roots project started after the library purchased a property to its south and demolished the existing house in 2021. With support from the community, local businesses and a grant, the space has come to fruition in time for 2023’s summer reading program.

Community Roots will provide an additional programming site for the Syracuse Public Library with its outdoor seating and 22-by-12-foot wood pavilion. When not in use for library programming, community members can enjoy it during the daytime hours as a peaceful retreat. The space also features a storage barn with a colorful mural honoring project donors. In the future, the library plans to include a community garden and other landscaping additions.

The project’s barn, pavilion and benches were made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, from 1-2 p.m., all ages can attend the Foamzilla foam party in the library’s staff parking lot. Those attending the party must wear shoes for safety reasons.

For information, contact the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library at (574) 457-3022 or email the library’s communications specialist, Sarah Wright, at [email protected].

To qualify, children must be aged birth to those entering grade 12 in the fall. Children need not attend school to be eligible -- preschoolers and homeschoolers within Benton, Clinton, and Jackson townships are encouraged to sign up, too. Families with multiple children aged birth to 12 years old will only receive one card; however, children 13-18 are eligible for their own library cards.