News Release

SYRACUSE — The following will be taking place at the Syracuse Library:

Creative Minds Write New Stories

There are so many books that it is impossible to read them all. But it is surprising how many books can be read in a year. The Syracuse Library offers two book challenges. A Thousand Books Before Kindergarten is a reward system that encourages early reading habits by giving books and other prizes when every 100 books are read.

‘I’m Breaking Out in 2021 Book Challenge’ is an almost year-long adult challenge where the individual sets a goal from now until Oct. 15, 2021, to read up to or over their projected number of books. The final events will involve prize drawings and a catered movie night. Sign up is in person and on-line. A four-month minimum participation is all that is required. Program is geared for to Syracuse Library users, and participants must have an Evergreen library card.  

Citizen Science in the Coming Year

Citizen Science is a global consortium of organizations and interested people that can contribute to the collection of scientific data through pictures, observations, game playing and surveys. The Citizen Science site is a partial listing of some of the projects that need data collection. Go to SciStarter.org to take a beginning course where it is possible to sign up for newsletters and communications.

The Syracuse Library will be sponsoring a local pollinator survey with a focus on bees. There are hundreds of different kinds of bees and flies that pollinate through the year. We will learn about identification and habitat. A launch of the pollinator survey will officially begin during Citizen Science month in April.

The library would like to know what other topics people have noticed that can be observed locally. Light pollution, satellites flying overhead, questions about animal or plant populations and health issues are part of a long list of suggestions from past projects. 

Watch for Changes

The Syracuse Library remains open for book selecting, printing and faxing services, computer use and quiet spaces. In-person programs are not scheduled at this time, however there are take home activities for children and there are programs and stories offered on the Syracuse Library YouTube channel. Subscribing is free of charge. Group activities will be scheduled when the rate of transmission of Covid-19 goes down.