The Friends of the Syracuse Public Library will partner with the Knights of Columbus to hold a Bingo Fundraiser on Saturday, May 3. Click the image to learn more.

Seeking a gift for someone dear? Or looking for a little excitement for yourself reading-wise? Swipe right to a good book sight unseen with the Friends of the Syracuse Public Library's Blind Date with a book. Each gently used book is wrapped with all sorts of goodies. There are also hints on the tag about what kind of book it is. There are even options for children! These books are available upstairs and are $5 or $10. All the proceeds support Syracuse Public Library and its mission of lifelong learning.

Note: The Friends will meet at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, to avoid Fourth of July festivities.

Our FOL group meets at 11 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month (excluding January and February). This is before the library officially opens, so knock on the southernmost Harrison Street door (nearest the staff parking lot) to be let in.

Become a Friend of the Library by dropping off this form at the library.

Friends pose together during the puzzle sale and ice cream social.

Friends of the Syracuse Public Library enjoyed a delightful luncheon at Kimmel Inn Thursday, Dec. 2. This was an end of year meeting. The Friends will be taking January and February off.

How Do The Friends Support SPL?

The Friends of the Syracuse Public Library support the library and its mission of lifelong learning in five key ways.

Sponsorships

The FOL routinely sponsors SPL's Summer Reading program and its Teen Art Contest, done in partnership with the North Webster Community Public Library. In 2024, the group also sponsored the Beanstack app for Summer Reading.

Fundraisers

The Friends hold various fundraisers for the library, including:

• Knights of Columbus Bingo Nights
• Book Sales

• Author Luncheons
• Local Art Silent Auctions (Paddles, Chairs and Charcuterie Boards)

Donations

The Friends have used their fundraising efforts to purchase the following for the library:

• Drinking Fountain
• Mitten & Hat Tree
• Changing Table
• Ozone Machine To Deodorize Books

• Anytime Pickup Lockers
• Cupboards In The Downstairs Meeting Room
• YA Christmas Tree
• Snacks

Volunteering

The Friends are always willing to help library staff with programming. The friends have helped with SPL's Halloween program, different Summer Reading events and at the Teen Art Contest Open House.

Programs

The FOL hold different programs, including coffee socials, author visits and their monthly meetings.

Ongoing Book Sale

One ongoing volunteer opportunity the Friends help with is sorting books for our book sale every Monday morning at the library.

We have an ongoing book sale in the adult & children's departments of the library. Generally $1 for hardback and .50 cents for paperback.

Book Donations

Accepting gently used donations, including gently used/clean paperbacks and hardbacks, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, and antique books. A full listing of what the library will and won't accept can be found at this link.

Click Here For The Donation List

Friends Gallery