Summer Reading 2023

Join the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library from June 1 until  July 21 for a summer of reading, fun activities, and exciting programs!

Sign-ups for children and teens begin Tuesday, May 30, during library hours, or you can sign up at our Summer Reading Kickoff Party from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, June 2.

Library card or no library card, children and teens can participate in the Syracuse Public Library's Summer Reading activities. This program is tailored to stop the summer slide by keeping children engaged in learning and reading.

Fairfield Students

Fairfield students (or children living in its district of Benton, Clinton and Jackson townships) are invited to make the Syracuse Public Library their home during summer. Thanks to the Fairfield Schools Family Literacy Foundation and a generous donor, children and teens can receive an Evergreen Indiana library card for the summer until August 31.

Sign up for your Fairfield card from May 1 until Aug. 1.

• Children's Summer Reading
• Teen's Summer Reading

Children's Summer Reading

Join the Syracuse Public Library for the “Camp Kindness: All Together Now” Summer Reading Program. Complete activities and reading for a chance to win cool prizes!

​Prereaders: Pick up a reading sheet and cross off a bubble each time you share a book.

• Share 50 books and receive a free book!
• Share 50 more books and receive 6 raffle tickets for a chance at an awesome prize!

Independent Readers: Pick up a Summer Reading Game Card.

• Complete 12 squares on Level One and receive a free book! Complete all 15 and get 3 raffle tickets.
• Once finished, pick up a Level Two gamecard and complete 6 squares to receive 6 raffle cards. Finish all 8 and receive 2 more raffle tickets.

Scratchers: Get a scratcher at sign-up and then collect more at each program or by being caught doing something nice! Win prizes or more raffle tickets.
Raffle: There will be one raffle, and we will draw winners on Wednesday, July 26.

Make-It Mondays

Tweens (7-12) -- other ages welcome, too -- will make several projects at 2 p.m. on Mondays.

• Donuts & Art: June 5
• Archery: June 12
• Glow in the Dark Bowling: June 26​
• Relax by the Campfire: July 10
• Solar Oven Cooking: July 17

Fantastic Fridays

Flex your creative muscles during Fabulous Fridays at 10:30 a.m. each Friday, except where otherwise noted.

• Kickoff Party: From 10-4 p.m. sign-up for​ summer reading then attend the Foamzilla Foam Party from 1-2 p.m., all on June 2!
• DIY Bird Feeder:  June 9 (NOTE: This program heavily uses peanut butter)
• Outdoor Survivalist: 2-4 p.m. June 16
• Music Makers DIY: June 23
• Garden Stepping Stones: June 30
• Silly Safaris' Animal Show: July 7
• Let's Learn About Cryptids: July 14

Storytime

Children (Birth through Age 5) are invited to the library at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday for fantastic stories, play, crafts!

• Handprint Campfire: June 7
• Bug Catchers: June 14
• Watermelon Paper Craft: June 21
• Popsicle Tent: June 28
• Cheerio Bird Feeder: July 5
• Leaf Transfers: July 12
• Firefly Craft: July 19

Family Fun Nights

All ages are invited to Family Night out at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 13 and July 11!

• Family Scavenger Hunt: June 13 (Grab your family and try to find everything!)
• Rip & Stick Lantern: July 11 (Make your own lantern. NOTE: Container used for this craft, while cleaned, once housed tree nuts.)

End of Summer Party

Celebrate a summer spent reading having fun by coming to the End of Summer Reading Party from 12-2 p.m. Friday, July 21! There will be outdoor games and craft stations. From 12-1 p.m., come for balloon animals. Sno Cones will be served while supplies last!

Teen's Summer Reading

Explore the world during Syracuse Public Library's All Together Now Teen Summer Reading Program!

Use your passport to report your reading at the upstairs circulation desk or with the young adult librarian in the Rosalyn Jones Room/YA space.

• Participants may log pages OR minutes from books, graphic novels, mangas, and audiobooks.
• Get one scratch off per 300 pages/minutes read. You must choose either pages or minutes at the beginning and stick with that format.
  • ​Refer to the print copy of an e-book or audiobook for a page count. Also, only log the pages you've read. If 41 pages of a 247-page book are read, then 41 pages should be logged.
• Participants don't need a Syracuse Public Library card to participate.
• Participants may win only one of the grand prizes.
• Bonus scratch offs are available for "extra" activities:
  • ​Attending library programs.
  • Bringing a friend to a program.
  • Completing challenges.
  • Completing the in-person escape room.
  • Completing a digital escape room.

Scratch-off Incentive Prizes
Earn with every 300 pages/minutes read and by completing extra activities. Scratchers include the chance to win:

• Raffle ticket for grand prize
• $5 Brew City gift card
• Pick a prize, including candy, earbuds, books, notebooks, and more!

Grand Prizes
​At the end of summer reading, we'll draw grand prize winners for:

• Gift cards
• Bugha video gaming extras (mouse pad, mouse, keyboard, speaker/subwoofer, microphone, headset stand, and headset.
• Art kits (tie-dye kit, oven bake clay, and acrylic paint set)
• Signed copy of "Caraval" by Stephanie Garber
• Signed copy of "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard
• LED string lights

Digitally Sign Up For Summer Reading

Digitally Sign Up For Programs

Special Programs

Throughout summer, teens and young adults can visit SPL for crafts, games, and fun times.

• Team Scavenger Hunt: ​2-4 p.m. Monday, June 5
• Watercolor Bookmarks: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 6
• Movie: 3-5 p.m. Friday, June 9
• Art Trade: 3-4 p.m. Monday, June 12
• Roblox: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 13
• Outdoor Survivalist: ​2-4 p.m. Friday, June 16
• Learn About Martial Arts: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 20
• Taste of the World: 2-4 p.m. Thursday, June 22
• Yard Games: 3-5 p.m. Friday, June 23
• Noteworthy: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 27
• World String Art: 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, July 11
• Improv: 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, July 14
• Jackbox/Among Us Party: 2-4 p.m. Monday, July 17

End of Summer Pizza Party

Celebrate the end of summer with a pizza party from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20!

While enjoying pizza, teens will play "Minute to Win It."

​Be sure to sign up for the party! There will be a program sign-up binder.

Escape Rooms

Grab your bags and travel the world to solve SPL's latest escape room this June and July in the Rosalyn Jones Room.

Register for sessions using our digital calendar or by contacting Michelle at mparker@syracuse.lib.in.us or by calling (574) 457-3022, ext. 2008.

Available Sessions

• Mon, June 5: 11 a.m.
• Wed, June 7: 2 p.m.
• Thurs, June 15: 3 p.m.
• Friday, June 23: 11 a.m.
• Mon, June 26: 11 a.m.
• Wed, June 28: 3 p.m.

• Wed, July 5: 10 a.m.
• Thurs, July 6: 3 p.m.
• Mon, July 10: 11 a.m.
• Wed, July 12: 2 p.m.
• Tues, July 18: 3 p.m.
• Wed, July 19: 11 a.m.

Register Using Our Digital Calendar

Digital Escape Rooms

Teens can also solve two digital escape rooms to earn bonus scratchers. Pick the Miss Peregrine's digital escape room, The Marvel digital escape room, or the Holes' digital escape room -- or try to solve them both!

Monthly Clubs

YA Video Gaming

YA Video Gaming meets from 4-7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. Play on our Nintendo Switch or use one of our public computers.

RPG Dice & Drama Night

Explore varied roleplaying games each month from 4-7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month! Each session features a self-contained story.

Color & Chill

Pull up a seat and color while listening to relaxing beats from 4-5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.

YA Book Club

Join the YA Book Club this summer! Discussions occur from 4-5 p.m. every fourth Wednesday. June's pick is "Burn Our Bodies Down" by Rory Power.

YA Game Night

Play various board and card games from 6-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday.

Note: There won't be a board game night in July; instead, there will be a pizza party from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20!

Anime Club

SPL's Anime Club meets from 6-7:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month. Watch anime and learn about Japan!

YA Writing Club

Teen writers now have their very own club at Syracuse Public Library from 2-3 p.m. on the last Friday of each month! Learn about the craft, find inspiration, and most importantly, receive the push to start writing.

Thank You, Summer Reading Sponsors!

​Click to visit them!

And Dr. Richard Brungardt