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SYRACUSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
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SPL News

Syracuse Public Library Celebrates Summer Reading And Community Roots

5/23/2023

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Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library will pull out all the stops to celebrate the launch of summer reading and the official opening of its new Community Roots outdoor space. The library invites the entire community to attend the special kickoff party on Friday, June 2.
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].

Schedule At A Glance

(All activities will occur in Community Roots and the staff parking lot, weather permitting.)
10-4 p.m.: Sign up for Summer Reading, play games, earn the chance to win prizes! (Come and go as you please!)
11 a.m.: Attend the Community Roots ribbon-cutting ceremony! The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will be there.
1-2 p.m.: Come to the Foamzilla Foam Party! Be sure to wear shoes for safety reasons.

Community Roots Gallery

Community Roots' structures: a pavilion, picnic tables and a storage barn.
Community Roots with straw down for grass seeding.
Contractors add dirt to level out the property.
The pavilion is added to the property by trailer.
Pavilion slides off trailer into its spot in Community Roots.
Pedestrians watch as contractors level concrete.
Contractors pour concrete for Community Roots' pavilion's foundation and walkway.
Dirt is excavated and leveled at the initial construction phase of Community Roots.
Dirt is excavated and leveled at the initial construction phase of Community Roots.
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House Demolition Completed As SPL Looks To Future

12/14/2021

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The scenery outside of the library looks different to the south! Don & Sons Excavating demolished 701 N. Harrison St. for the Syracuse Public Library Monday, Dec. 13.

Originally purchased by the library in January 2021, the property presented exciting opportunities for the library and its offerings, which are now being explored through a feasibility study by Arkos Design.

The feasibility study will examine potential improvements to library's building and grounds. By its conclusion, architects with Arkos Design will present the most viable options that will benefit library operations and the local community.

In particular, the Syracuse Public Library wants to provide greater accessibility for patrons and offer needed meeting spaces, including small study rooms.

The process kicked off in November with a design charrette (read more here). This meeting brought Arkos Design architects together with library staff members, board of trustees members, and Friends of the Syracuse Public Library to brainstorm.

Since then, architects have continued to refine potential options.

While the feasibility study process continues, the demolition will save library money on utilities. Stayed tuned for more details about the Syracuse Public Library's future plans.


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Feasibility Design Charrette Sparks Creative Possibilities

11/17/2021

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Kim Blaha and Robert Rensberger vision board
Syracuse Public Library Director Kim Blaha and Robert Rensberger explore a vision board of other libraries' design brought by Arkos Design.
On Thursday, Nov. 11, Syracuse Public Library staff, board members and Friends of the Library members dreamed big during a design charrette with architects from Arkos Design of Mishawaka.

A design charrette – a type of participatory planning process – assembles a team consisting of citizens, architects and designers to create a design and implementation plan for a specific project. Participants and designers hit on several design elements that would enable the Syracuse Public Library to best service the community today and in the future.

As part of the charrette, participants shared their library dreams. These ranged from more private meeting spaces and quiet study spaces to greater accessibility, outdoor programming spaces, better parking, room to grow specific book collections like mystery and a more designated teen space. After this brainstorming session, everyone reviewed a vision board featuring pictures of other libraries’ spaces, leaving notes on elements they loved or disliked.
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Arkos architects then pooled these dream items together to craft potential preliminary designs for future library expansion. While not concrete, these designs opened exciting opportunities for the library.
This meeting marked the beginning of the Syracuse Public Library’s feasibility study, which will guide it toward viable improvements in the building and its grounds.
Library employees and Arkos Design architects sit and talk.
Arkos Design Architect Phillip works on his design idea.
Rebekah and Katie speak with Arkos Design architect Tyler
People discuss another potential design.
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Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library
115 East Main Street
Syracuse, IN

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  • Home
  • Library Info
    • About >
      • Our Mission
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      • Meet Our Staff
      • The Friends
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