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SPL News

Local Historic Newspapers Now Available On Hoosier State Chronicles

1/20/2023

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Dive into local history or conduct genealogical research by browsing historic local newspapers on Hoosier State Chronicles.
The Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum came together to successfully apply for the 2021 LSTA Technology Grant after limiting digitization to newspaper microfilms from the late 1800s through 1990 following an unsuccessful grant in 2020. To complete this project, both organizations received approval from Ron Baumgartner, the owner and publisher of The Papers Inc., which owns The Mail-Journal.

The LSTA Technology Grant came from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and is administered by the Indiana State Library. SPL and the museum's microfilm digitalization project became the first of its kind in Kosciusko County.

How The Digitalization Process Worked

In October 2021, the Syracuse Public Library's microfilm was packed and sent to Digital Divide Data in Maryland. The vendor then scanned the microfilm through a high-speed feed scanner to produce the digitized pages into several formats. During the process, newspaper pages were cropped, de-skewed, and organized into folders. Following that, they were sent to another team, where metadata was created for each page, issue, and microfilm reel.

Once that process finished, the team at the Indiana State Library performed quality review on the work to catch minor issues, such as missing pages, duplicate pages, and incorrect labeling. Fixes were sent back to the vendor before final approval and the newspapers' inclusion on Hoosier State Chronicles.

What Was Digitized

Digitalized historic local newspapers include:
  • Syracuse-Wawasee Journal
  • The Indiana Journal
  • The Mail-Journal
  • The Syracuse and Lake Wawasee Journal
  • The Syracuse Enterprise
  • The Syracuse Journal
  • The Syracuse Register

All of these historic newspapers are now available on the Hoosier State Chronicles website. Uncover headlines for national and local events, enjoy old advertisements, or retrace the steps of your ancestors. Users can also use the website's search feature to do targeted searches for family members. You never now what you will uncover!
A screenshot showing the Hoosier State Chronicle's homepage with a map of Indiana counties.
The Hoosier State Chronicles's homepage features a map of Indiana counties. If you are looking for news from a particular county, you can just click it on the map or use the menu to navigate the site.
Example of a search using the name
Hoosier State Chronicles allows targeted searches, which users can use to find ancestors. Here is an example search for "John Smith." Use quotation marks around names to refine your search and to prevent receiving results for simply "John" and "Smith."
A screenshot of the search's side bar, which features several ways to refine search results, such as to specific papers or decades.
On the search result page, you will find a sidebar. This sidebar offers several ways to refine search results to find ancestors. Know where they lived? Click on papers that would have been local to them. Know the periods they were alive? Click those decades. Don't forget to check the tags, which might have clues, such as a person you know is connected to your ancestor.
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OverDrive App To Be Discontinued In April

1/18/2023

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Have you made the switch to Libby yet? If not, you will want to before April 2023 when the OverDrive is being discontinued.
OverDrive Inc. removed the OverDrive app from the Apple App Store, Google Play and the Microsoft Store on Feb 23, 2022, and now it plans to fully discontinue the legacy OverDrive app at the end of April 2023. At that time, users who try to access their library’s collection in the OverDrive app will need to upgrade to Libby.

OverDrive stated in a its FAQs about the switch, "We believe that Libby is the best reading experience for all users. With valuable partner and user feedback, we’re constantly enhancing the app and adding new features to engage your readers. Discontinuing the OverDrive app will allow our development teams to focus their efforts on Libby."

OverDrive app users currently see the following message in the app:
In early 2023, the OverDrive app will be discontinued. Upgrade to Libby today.
In Libby, you’ll find the same great titles from your library, in a beautiful, modern, easy-to-use app.
Your loans, holds, and wish list items will be waiting for you in Libby. Learn more about this change.
This change is only for the app. Patrons will still be able to visit the Indiana Digital Library's OverDrive website at ​https://idl.overdrive.com/.

Kindle Users

Kindle Fire users can download Libby onto their device manually, as Libby is not currently available to download directly from the Amazon Appstore. OverDrive has requested information and a timeline for approval from Amazon but has not yet received an update.

Users can also deliver Kindle Books to a Fire tablet from a device that supports libbyapp.com (US only).

The OverDrive app will also remain available for Kindle Fire users to download and access until further notice.

What About My OverDrive Wish List?

Yes, when a user sets up the app, Libby prompts them to sync their OverDrive wish list using an in-app notification.
​
Learn more about wish list syncing on Libby Help.
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Evergreen Outage Scheduled Nov. 18-20

11/15/2022

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Evergreen is getting a new update that will improve some features for library staffs across the state. To implement these updates, Evergreen will go offline Friday-Sunday, Nov. 18-20.
What does this outage mean for you? Well, there are a few important notes to know before Friday rolls around:
  1. New library cards cannot be set up during the outage. Additionally, library cards cannot be renewed. 
  2. To check out library materials during the outage, you MUST have your library card with you. We will be unable to look up patrons.
  3. No materials will be due during the outage, so hold on to your materials if you can. Staff won't be able to check in any materials during the outage.
  4. Hoopla should remain available for use. Libby/OverDrive are still up in the air; if you have trouble accessing them over the weekend, it is likely because of the outage. (Edit Nov. 18: At this time, it seems that Libby/OverDrive are impacted. While I was able to browse titles, I would get an error when I tried to borrow it.)
  5. Staff cannot place holds or look materials up in the catalog during the outage. However, we will do our best to help you find them on the shelf if they are available.

Everything should be up and running as normal Monday, Nov. 21. Call the library at (574) 457-3022 if you have any questions.
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New Titles Land On Libby App

11/14/2022

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The Syracuse Public Library recently purchased new digital materials for Libby/OverDrive! We know many of our patrons love reading on the go -- whether through e-books or audiobooks -- so we are always adding to the digital collection.
Browse our new Libby materials list below! If there is a specific book or audiobook that you would like us to get that is not currently available on Libby/OverDrive, use our brand-new material request form to recommend it for a future purchase.
  • "The 6:20 Man: A Thriller" By David Baldacci (e-book)
  • "The Accused: Mystere Parish: Family Inheritance Series, Book 1" by Jana DeLeon (e-book)
  • "Act of Treason: Mitch Rapp Series, Book 9" by Vince Flynn (e-book)
  • "All Good People Here: A Novel" by  Ashley Flowers, Brittany Pressley, Karissa Vacker, et. al. (audiobook)
  • "Basketball" by Tony Norman (e-book)
  • "Bear Feels Sick" by Karma Wilson, John McDonough (audiobook)
  • "Beasts of Prey: Beasts of Prey Series, Book 1" by Ayana Gray (e-book)
  • "Big Bear, Small Mouse: With Audio Recording" by Karma Wilson, Jane Chapman (e-book)
  • "Blackout: El amor brilla cuando la luz se apaga" by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nick Stone (e-book)
  • "Book Lovers" by Emily Henry (e-book)
  • "The Cost of Control" by  Sharon Hodde Miller
  • "Curious About Fossils" by Kate Waters (e-book)
  • "Dance! Dance! Underpants!: Ballet Cat Series, Book 2" by Bob Shea, Michele Medlin (audiobook)
  • "Daughter of the Moon Goddess: Celestial Kingdom Series, Book 1" by Sue Lynn Tan (e-book)
  • "Entwined: Sisters and Secrets in the Silent World of Artist Judith Scott" by Joyce Wallace Scott (e-book)
  • "Every Summer After" by Carley Fortune (e-book)
  • "Forever Boy: a Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy" by Kate Swenson, Kate Swenson (audiobook)
  • "Heartstopper, Volume 1" by Alice Oseman (e-book)
  • "Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer" by Scotty Smiley, Dan John Miller (audiobook)
  • "The Hotel Nantucket" by Elin Hilderbrand (e-book)
  • "The House Across the Lake: A Novel" by Riley Sager (e-book)​
  • "It Ends with Us: a Novel" by Colleen Hoover (e-book)
  • "It Starts with Us: a Novel" by Colleen Hoover(e-book)
  • "Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel" by Bonnie Garmus (e-book)
  • "Maybe Someday: Maybe Series, Book 1" by Colleen Hoover, Zachary Webber, Angela Goethals (audiobook)
  • "The Maze Runner: The Maze Runner Series, Book 1" by James Dashner (e-book)
  • ​"The Midnight Rose: A Novel" by Lucinda Riley (e-book)
  • "Morris Island and the Civil War: Strategy and Influence" by C. Russell Horres Jr. (e-book)
  • "The Other Typist" by Suzanne Rindell (audiobook)
  • "Penguin in Love" by Salina Yoon (e-book)
  • "Penguin on Vacation" by Salina Yoon (e-book)
  • "The Roommate" by Kiersten Modglin, Stephen Graybill (Audiobook)
  • "The Scorpio Races" by Maggie Stiefvater (e-book)
  • "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: a Novel" by Taylor Jenkins Reid (e-book)
  • "Sundown: Sky King Ranch Series, Book 3" by Susan May Warren (e-book)
  • "The Super Bowl: Chasing Football Immortality" by Matt Doeden, Book Buddy Digital Media (e-book)
  • "The Maze Cutter: Maze Cutter Series, Book 1" by James Dashner(e-book)
  • "These Deadly Games" by Diana Urban (e-book)
  • "Twilight: The Twilight Saga, Book 1" by Stephenie Meyer (e-book)
  • "Ugly Love: A Novel" by Colleen Hoover (e-book)
  • "The Vanishing: Mystere Parish Series, Book 2" by Jana DeLeon (e-book)
  • "Verity" by Colleen Hoover (e-book)
  • "When You Get the Chance: a Novel" by Emma Lord (e-book)
  • "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens (e-book)
  • "Widow Falls" by Kiersten Modglin, Jess Nahikian (audiobook)
The Libby app and OverDrive (available in web browser) are free to Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library patrons and provide access to a wealth of digital materials, including e-books, audiobooks, and magazines. Just use your library card to get started!
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Hoopla Bonus Borrows Return In November

10/31/2022

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Did you know Bonus Borrows are back on Hoopla? They are!
During the entire month of November, Hoopla users can find Bonus Borrows in the app. These e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and movies/TV shows do not count toward your monthly check out limits!

November Bonus Borrows are available in eight categories: "Characters Kids Love," "The Classics," "Dive into a New Series," "Holiday Entertaining," "Importance of Family," "Killer Drama," "Merry & Bright," and "Sci-Fi & Fantasy."

Check out these collections on your Hoopla app or in your preferred web browser.
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Make The Most Of Your Libby Experience: New Features

10/5/2022

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Text Graphic Featuring Libby app logo and cozy background with hot cocoa
OverDrive has added some new features to your Libby app that are going to enrich users reading experiences! Here are six ways to make the most of your Libby app, according to the OverDrive Blog.

Manage Your To-Be-Read Pile

 Let’s be honest: There are just too many books and not enough time. And while the Deliver Later option is one of my absolute favorite features, I’m a big mood reader and don’t always like putting books on hold unless I know I’m going to want to read it as soon as it comes in. This is why one of the first tags I set up in Libby was a TBR tag to keep track of all those books I know I’ll want to read eventually. Best part is, when the mood strikes me, I can just open Libby and filter my TBR list  to see what’s available. You could even set up separate tags for different moods or genres if you want to be more specific. 

In Libby, you can change a regular tag into a smart tag. A smart tag can automatically keep track of certain titles for you. For example, if you have a tag in Libby for titles you want to read, you can add “OverDrive Wish List” smarts to it. When you do, the smart tag will contain both your OverDrive wish list items plus the titles from your “want to read” or TBR tag. 

Subscribe To Favorite Magazines

Gone are the days of needing to log into Libby every month to see if the latest issues of my favorite magazines are out. Now, users can set up a smart tag in Libby to be notified when new issues of a magazine are available at your library.

Keep Track Of Book Recommendations

Is there a book you think a friend would love? Or have you had a family member recommend a title to you that you want to remember? You can create Libby tags to keep track of book recommendations, both for yourself and other people. Then when your friend comes to you asking if you’ve read anything good recently you can just open Libby, select that tag, and offer them a whole list of titles to choose from. You can even export the tag to easily share the list of titles with your friend.
​
If you’re in a book club or manage one at your library, tags are a great way to keep track of books you think folks in your group might enjoy. 

Remember Did Not Finish (DNF) Books

Not every book is for every reader and that’s okay! Now you can use tags to identify books you didn’t finish. That way you won’t run into that #readerproblem of checking out a book that sounds really good and maybe even vaguely familiar, only to realize about 10 pages in that you absolutely did try reading this before and decided it wasn’t for you.

Organize Audiobooks By Length

While really long audiobooks are perfect for roadtrips, sometimes you want an audiobook you can finish in a few hours while doing chores. Since Libby shows users the duration of audiobooks, you can set up tags based on short or long audiobooks. And because the tags are completely customizable, the definition of short and long audiobook can be whatever you want it to be!  

Use Emojis

Customize your reading by attaching emojis to e-books or audiobooks. From the ghost and jack o’lantern for those books you want to read during spooky season to the crying emoji for tearjerkers and even the rainbow icon for books by queer authors, the possibilities are endless.
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OverDrive To Begin Server Upgrades in May

4/26/2022

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Between May 3 and July 28, 2022, OverDrive will perform server upgrades to enhance the performance and security of the systems used to access available digital collections.
The company will complete these upgrades between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays only during the period noted above. OverDrive service should only be impacted once for approximately 60 minutes or less.

In a press release, OverDrive notes, "We expect the impact to your users to be minimal. They will still be able to sign in to your digital collection and browse or read titles, but may encounter errors when attempting to borrow, place a hold or return titles during your maintenance period."
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Get The Latest Libby And Indiana Digital Library Scoop

3/16/2022

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Indiana Digital Library is up and running on Libby! Materials are likely still being transferred at this time given the large number of e-books, audiobooks, and magazines!
If you haven't added Indiana Digital Library to your Libby app, visit our previous post Libby and Indiana Digital Library Are Now Live! for a step-by-step guide on how to do so. The transition proved to be different from our expectation of patrons being signed out and then having to log in to the new Indiana Digital Library, but we've rolled with the situation as it came at us.

Now a week later, we're sharing answers to common situations.

When I Try To Sign In To Indiana Digital Library My Library Card Can't Be Authenticated. What Do I Do?
If you run into this, call us with your name, library card number, and the error message you are seeing. We will reach out to our contact to get everything sorted out.
​
I Have A Kindle What Do I Do?
The Libby app is currently not available in the Amazon app store. OverDrive Inc. is in the process of adding it and hopes to accomplish this soon. In the meanwhile, you can log into the Indiana Digital Library in the OverDrive app. Or you can access idl.overdrive.com or libbyapp.com using your Kindle's web browser.

Eventually, OverDrive Inc. will discontinue the OverDrive app. The company has already removed it from several app stores, excluding Amazon's app store where it is still available.

How Do I Know My Materials Have Downloaded In Libby?
Everyone loves saving their mobile data, so it's important to know materials are being downloaded to devices. Go to your shelf (the stacked books in the menu) to see the materials you have checked out (view the first imagine in the gallery below). You will see either a cloud or a library card beside each title. The cloud symbolizes materials having been successfully sent to another device, such as a Kindle. A library card with a check mark means the material  has successfully been downloaded to your device.

Don't have a check mark? Or you receive notice that the download failed? First things first, check your internet connection. Then check your Libby settings.
  1. Go to the three horizontal lines at the center of the menu.
  2. Click Settings (located toward the bottom of the page).
  3. In Settings, scroll down to "Change Download Rules."
  4. Pick the settings that work best for you. Whether that is downloading everything, "titles under 20 MB," or nothing at all. You can also select make so downloads only occur when you are on Wi-Fi. 
If you need access to Wi-Fi, the Syracuse Public Library offers it for free, and it is accessible 24/7 for those near the library.

How Do I Remove The Old eIndiana Digital Consortium Card From Libby?
Having numerous cards can get confusing on Libby, and it is easy to accidentally click the old, nonfunctioning eIndiana Digital Consortium card. There is a way to remove this card. Follow these steps (photo guides in the gallery below):
  1. Go to the Middle menu button (three horizontal lines).
  2. Click the "# Card +," which is located next to "Add Library." (See the image below)
  3. You will see digital library cards. Go to the one that has eIndiana Digital Consortium on it, and click "Actions," which will be on the card. (The demonstration photo has Indiana Digital Library on it because I've already deleted eIndiana Digital Consortium.)
  4. A menu will drop down. Click "Remove Card."

Have Additional Libby/OverDrive Questions?

Please leave additional questions in the comments below. We will answer them as best we can!
Here's how to tell Libby has download materials.
Step 1-2 illustration for card removal.
Step 3 for card removal.
Step 4 for card removal.
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Indiana Digital Library Roll Out Underway

3/2/2022

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Libby and Indiana Digital Library Graphic
With the large amount of materials being transferred to the new Indiana Digital Library on Libby, the move is taking a while, and at this time, digital materials will largely be inaccessible for checkouts. If you had holds on Libby/OverDrive, don't fret! They are being transferred, too!

We are asking for patience as it may take a few days before materials can be checked out via Libby and OverDrive. Even as Libby gets back up and running, some materials may be transferred at later dates.  When the transfer is complete, patrons will have access to digital materials (e-books, audiobooks and magazines) from about 200 Hoosier libraries. In the meanwhile, Hoopla (both the app and browser version) remains available to patrons.

Syracuse Public Library will update our social media platforms and our news page as information becomes available to keep everyone in the loop.

If you have any questions about the move, comment on this article. We will answer them or submit them to our contacts with Indiana Digital Library for clarifications.

How To Switch To The Indiana Digital Library

Currently, sign-up for the new Indiana Digital Library via Libby is spotty. When a staff member attempted to switch their app over to Indiana Digital Library, the request could not be completed. However, when things are up and running, you will use the pictured steps below to get setup.

For those who use OverDrive in a web browser, you will want to update the URL you use to https://idl.overdrive.com/. Like with the Libby app, the web browser is currently unable to authenticate accounts for the Indiana Digital Library. 

If you use the OverDrive app, take this opportunity to switch to Libby. OverDrive Inc. will be discontinuing its OverDrive app soon.

Step-By-Step Guide For Signing In To Indiana Digital Library Guide

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What You Need to Know About Indiana Digital Library

2/24/2022

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Indiana Digital Library announcement graphic
The Indiana State Library has announced the formation of a new statewide e-book consortium, the Indiana Digital Library, launching on March 1. Nearly 200 public libraries in the state will all share the OverDrive platform to create a statewide consortium of e-books, e-audiobooks, and magazines. This new consortium -- made up of libraries that serve populations under 150,000 -- will benefit libraries, taxpayers and library users. Patrons of consortium member libraries will have the ability to borrow materials from both their own library's collections and the member library collections. The State Library is paying the platform fees for the consortium, and 100% of the member libraries' fees will be spent on materials.

​A volunteer library team will also assist with collection development for libraries and will help ensure the efficient usage of the consortium’s funds. Libraries may either purchase titles for their collection on their own or may choose to assign their funds to the collection development team. 

“The new Indiana Digital Library consortium will be a great service and benefit to Indiana libraries and the customers of Indiana libraries. This collaboration is a great example of Indiana libraries working together to provide high quality services to library users,” said Jake Speer, State Librarian.

What Patrons Need To Know

When the shift happens March 1, everyone will be logged out of Libby. You will need your library card handy to sign back in. Additionally, some titles may not be readily available as this is a massive transfer. Be patient! The wait will be worth it.

What You Need To Do Before March 1

Data will be lost in the transfer. Prior to March 1, Patrons will need to:
  1. Make a list of any recommended titles that have not already been purchased. You can then recommend the titles again after March 1.
  2. If you track your reading via Libby or OverDrive, you'll want to save your reading history. Each device you use will have maintained its own list, you may need to download your history from more than one device.
    1. ​For instructions to export from Libby, click this link.
    2. For instructions to export from OverDrive, click this link. If you are still using OverDrive, make the swift to Libby now. The OverDrive app will soon be discontinued in favor of Libby.
  3. Do you use OverDrive in a web browser? Update that URL bookmark to Indiana Digital Library - OverDrive, https://idl.overdrive.com.

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Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library
115 East Main Street
Syracuse, IN

Hours

Monday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday: 12-8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday: 12-8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

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Phone: (574) 457-3022
​Fax: (574) 457-8971

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