INDEPENDENT LENS announced the launch of the new season of Indie Lens Pop-Up, the long-running screening series that brings people together for community-driven conversations around its thought-provoking documentaries. The Syracuse Public Library will host the documentary “Free for All: The Public Library” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, in the downstairs meeting room.
Filmmakers Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor turn the cameras on America’s beloved public institution — the library — and the dramatic human stories unfolding within it. After the film, we’ll hold a Q&A session with SPL Executive Director Kim Blaha and SPL Assistant Director Megan Daumen. Blaha will also share updates on the library's building project. Brew City Roasting Company will provide lemonade and pastries during this special event.
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Starting May 1, Fairfield Community Schools children and home-schooled children in Benton, Clinton and Jackson townships, will be able to come to the Syracuse Public Library and register for a free summer library card, thanks to an anonymous donor who created the Fairfield Literacy Fund. In 2025, families will share one card. Teens can have their own card if they are the only child in the family. This change is to allow us to stretch the Fairfield Literacy Fund further. This program is for children, preschool through 12th grade for the 2025-2026 school year.
To register, parents should bring proof of residency in one of the three townships. All summer library cards expire on Aug. 31. The last day to register for a card is Aug. 1. To our patrons, neighbors, and friends throughout Turkey Creek Township, On behalf of the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library, its staff, and Board of Trustees, I want to share a significant development affecting both your hometown library and libraries nationwide.
On Friday, March 14, the White House issued Executive Order #14238, calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the nation’s only federal agency for America’s libraries. This executive order defunds an independent federal agency charged with providing financial support for books, databases, digitization programs, resource sharing, and training for library workers everywhere. IMLS funding is not merely a line item in a budget; it is a lifeline that supports critical library infrastructure and programs that benefit every resident. Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library receives support from IMLS through the Indiana State Library. The services directly impacted by the elimination of IMLS include:
Community members have asked what they can do or to learn more about these actions. Current information can be obtained at the Indiana Library Federation website: https://www.ilfonline.org/advocacy. As a rule, the Library does not involve itself in politics. A staunch commitment to neutrality informs our mission to strengthen our community and enrich lives by providing equitable and impartial access to information and opportunities to learn, explore, inspire, and connect. However, this recent executive order calling for the elimination of the IMLS represents a significant financial threat to library services nationwide. Sincerely, Kim Blaha Executive Director Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library Syracuse Public Library's seed library is now available upstairs! Each family can “check out” 10 seed packets — only 1 packet per seed variety (ex. one type of carrot). These are checkouts that you don't have to worry about returning.
Don’t have a library card? You can still “check out” seeds; we have a special library card for the seed library. Like other Hoosier libraries in the Evergreen consortium, Syracuse Public Library has quietly been working on its new ASPEN library catalog for its patrons to use. Patrons can sign in to it with their Evergreen account at syracuse.evergreenindiana.org. ASPEN allows for better filtering of search results and will even show you what is available on the Libby and Hoopla apps. Watch for Sarah’s videos introducing ASPEN and its features on the library’s social media accounts! (The first one is below!) February is National Library Lovers Month, a celebration of book lovers and frequent library dwellers. In this digital age, one might question the importance of libraries; after all, through online retailers, you can have a book shipped to you in two days or appear on your digital device instantly — of course, at a price. Libraries remain gateways to knowledge that are not barred by a price tag. In fact, libraries are one of the few places people can enter without the expectation of having to buy something. Even Starbucks recently rolled back the use of its space or restrooms without making a purchase.
Libraries are much more than books. They offer community through free programming, early education opportunities, quiet meeting areas, helpful librarians and outreach. Libraries also connect people of all economic backgrounds to technology and so many other resources. In 2024, 5,245 people attended the Syracuse library’s programs. The library made 160 deliveries to homebound patrons who cannot visit. Its public computers were used 3,058 times, allowing people to apply for jobs, file taxes, fill out important documents, conduct business or simply stay in touch with friends and family. Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library has seen a 24.25% increase in checkouts from 2022 to 2024. In 2024, its patrons checked out a total of 89,810 materials — that figure is greater than the entire population of Bloomington, Ind., which was 78,840 people in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Children alone checked out 33,297 books! Of that total, digital material checkouts through the Libby and Hoopla apps made up only 26.71% — or 23,810 — of SPL’s total borrows. Our hotspots also remain popular with 246 borrows. During its first full year, our new board game collections saw 128 borrows. Syracuse Public Library continues to seek new ways to engage and support the community in its endeavors of lifelong learning. In celebration of National Library Lovers Month, library staff have created “little staff libraries” filled with books they love and recommend. Patrons are encouraged to browse their little libraries and check out their contents with their library cards. Also, watch the library’s social media pages for an upcoming Library Lovers giveaway. We'll also have special bookmarks with librarian recommendations and to-be-reads. For those who live in Syracuse or Turkey Creek Township, there has never been a better month to sign up for a library card and find your community. 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. 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. 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.
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