By Michelle Waltos

Librarian

On April 21, USA Today published an article that listed some things you may not know about libraries in general. This inspired us to come up with our own list of some things you may not know about the Northern Onondaga Public Libraries (NOPL):

1.  No power? No problem. A generator is in the final phases of installation at the Cicero branch. Should there ever be a power outage due to a natural disaster or other cause, the building can remain open to provide the public with access to computers, the Internet and charging stations for personal devices.

2.  Preservation tools. Forget about spending hundreds of dollars to have someone convert you family movies, photos, negatives and slides to digital versions. The Preservation Studio at the Brewerton branch has all the technology you need to complete this DIY project — all you need is a valid library card.

3.  Check out more than just books. Borrow an OCRRA compost pass, a portable scanner, horseshoe or bocce ball game sets, a kilowatt meter or thermal leak detector and more.  See nopl.org/unusual for a full list of all the unique things you can borrow from the library.

4.  Resources for teens. Whether it’s for fun or for schoolwork, the library has teens covered, with databases that include primary resources and help with citation for reports, driving manuals and practice tests, online access to ACT and SAT help and practice exams and activities like the stop motion animator inside the Discovery Den at the North Syracuse branch, the Creative Play Area at the Brewerton branch and the Teen Advisory Board.

5.  Digital goodies. People have come to expect that libraries have e-books — and we have lots of them. But there are also online classes available for music and art instruction, language learning, computer software training and more, as well as digital magazines, downloadable music and streaming content. By the way, did you know that you can view yearbooks from the North Syracuse school district dating back to the 1950s via NOPL’s website? Visit nopl.org/yearbooks to get started.

6.  Streaming devices. Borrow a Roku kit from the library and you are simultaneously borrowing thousands of movies and television shows because each device is equipped with both Netflix and VuDu apps. Google Chromecasts — which are compatible with Hoopla (a free streaming service available through the library) — are also available to be checked out.

7.  Services, support and aid. Whether you need help preparing or filing your taxes, applying for programs such as HEAP, are in need of assistance with a legal problem or are looking for career guidance, NOPL partners with lots of organizations to provide a variety of useful services to the community.

8.  Fun for kids. This one isn’t a secret: with a puppet theater and unique instruments of play at the Brewerton branch, Cicero’s Maker Club, North Syracuse’s Discovery Den, the numerous story times across our branches and lots of other family-friendly programs, NOPL is a great place for fun and hands-on learning.