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!​

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.
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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.

Unfortunately, the new company was unable to keep up with the volume and complexity of Indiana’s public library routes. While their administration was capable and communicative and some promising progress was made during the two months, the impact on libraries was felt widely. Many deliveries were made in error or not at all, mostly due to staffing and driver issues. For these combined reasons, the Indiana State Library will be pivoting back to the previous courier service to carry out the current contract. NOW Courier will assume ownership of all library materials currently in transit on Sept. 1. They will utilize the week of Sept. 4 to sort materials received, and then begin delivering to library locations the week of Sept. 11.

In an effort to help the new courier start smoothly, resource sharing in state -– including Evergreen Indiana, SRCS and Indiana Share -- will be paused temporarily. Evergreen patrons may still borrow in person from all member libraries and place holds, but interlibrary holds will not be occurring until Sept. 17. Evergreen users will also have full access to the Indiana Digital Library eBooks and audiobooks through Libby and Hoopla.

While material holds are paused, already-placed holds will be fulfilled once deliveries resume. You do not have to cancel or resubmit your holds. Since the Syracuse Public Library is an Evergreen Indiana library, our patrons can visit and check out needed materials that are not available at SPL from other Evergreen Indiana libraries, such as Milford, North Webster, Cromwell, Ligonier, to name a few. You can find a full list of Evergreen libraries here.

Staff at SPL can help you place holds at other local Evergreen Indiana libraries. You will just need to pick the materials up from that library. As always, our digital resources -- Libby and Hoopla -- are available and offer access to hundreds of digital e-books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and TV shows.

​We appreciate your patience during this transition.

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.