By Michelle Metcalf

Community Information Librarian

Library cards offer patrons the ability to access a wide variety of resources online, anytime day or night. Services providing e-books, downloadable music, and streaming movies are some of the most popular — but there’s so much more, and it can be accessed on the Northern Onondaga Public Library’s (NOPL) website via the Online Research page, at nopl.org/databases.

Learn a language. Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, Portuguese, American Sign and more — choose from one of more than a dozen different languages through Rocket Languages with audio lessons, activities, cultural lessons, voice recognition practice, progress tracking and more. Download their free app and learn on the go.

Research your project. Whether you have a school assignment or a project from work, the library has databases with thousands upon thousands of articles from academic journals and other reputable sources, covering just about any subject area you could think of: pop culture, gender studies, gardening and horticulture, fine arts, world history, technical education and more. There are databases appropriate for kids, teens and adults.

Grow your business. Find templates for developing a business plan, view consumer and demographic data, monitor trends and stay up-to-date with the latest information for your industry with several databases full of information for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes.

Prepare for an exam. Study and prepare for college entrance exams and placement tests, occupation exams, vocational certifications, civil service exams, and even military and officer exams with the database Learning Express Library. There are prep materials and practice exams for dozens of careers: air traffic controller, commercial driver, EMT, postal worker, nursing, real estate, teaching and more.

Get information about a vehicle. Are you in the market for a used car? Or maybe you’re having a problem with your car. Use the VIN Decoder tool to learn the “story” of a vehicle: its manufacturer, brand, make and model, body style, engine size, assembly plant and model year, as well as recent complaints and recalls.

These online offerings are an extension of the library, and showcase just some of the amazing things you can learn, access, and do with the most powerful card in your wallet: your library card.

Coming up at NOPL

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Organizing

5:30 to 7 p.m. NOPL at Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. 

Hosted by the Onondaga County Office for Aging. Register by contacting Cynthia at (315) 435-2362 ext. 4993 or emailing [email protected].

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Teen Anime Night

6 to 8 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Activities will include drawing contests, trivia and games. Must be between 13 to 18 to attend.

Thursday, Nov. 1

Stamping Crafts

1 to 3 p.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton.

Supply fee of $5.

Movie Screening

5:30 to 8 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

“Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom.”

Young Writers

6 to 7:30 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Join this group to talk about and share writing, work with concepts, support each other and generate ideas. Grades six to 12 welcome.

Friday, Nov. 2

Friday Films: “Jaws”

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Join us for a screening of the 1975 classic. Rated PG.

Teen Crafts: Decorative Mason Jars

4 to 5 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Design and decorate a mason jar that you can use to decorate a room, or use as a container for anything you like.

ESL: Let’s Talk

4 to 5 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Doug Carney leads and facilitates this English conversation group each week.

Saturday, Nov. 3

Saturday STEAM: Observing Colors

10 a.m. to Noon NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

For preschool and up. Registration required; visit nopl.org or call (315) 699-2032.

Pups ‘n Pages

11 a.m. to noon. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

The Canine Caring Angels will be here.

Monday, Nov. 5

Zumba Gold Seated

10 to 11 a.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Registration required; visit nopl.org or call (315) 699-2032.

Chair Yoga

1 to 2 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Class size is limited; registration is required. Visit nopl.org or call (315) 458-6184.

Teen K-Pop Party

4 to 5 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Stop in at the library for an afternoon of listening to some of your favorite K-Pop songs, look up videos of your favorite groups, show off any dances you’ve learned, and meet with other K-Pop fans.

NYS Disaster Preparedness Program

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Be prepared for the unexpected. Learn about tools and resources to prepare, respond, and recover from disaster situations as quickly as possible.

North Syracuse Book Discussion Group

6:30 to 8 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

“Brain on Fire,” by Susannah Cahalan.

Tuesday, Nov. 6

Card Making Workshop

5 to 8 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Supply fee is $15.

ESL: Let’s Talk

5 to 6 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Doug Carney leads and facilitates this English conversation group each week.

Card Making with Lucy’s Creative Makers

6 to 8 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Cost is $10 and covers all supplies and materials.

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Medicare 101

3 to 4 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Educational workshop to provide informatoin about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D, Medicare Advantage and drug plans, enrollment plans and Medicare Supplement Plans.

NYS Disaster Preparedness Program

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Learn about tools and resources to prepare, respond, and recover from disaster situations as quickly as possible.

Ongoing events

Mondays

NOPL Knitters at North Syracuse

10 a.m. to noon Mondays. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Meet with other knitters (and crocheters) and learn or improve your technique.

Story Time and Play Time

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton.

Story time for ages 2 and older. No meetings Dec. 17 to Jan. 7.

Special Needs Gaming

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, North Syracuse.

Increase communication, social skills, cognition and more through gaming.

Inspired Reads Book Group

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

A weekly meeting to read and discuss various writings.

Meditation

7 to 7:45 p.m. Mondays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

We will have a 30-minute meditation with a brief reading before and after by spiritual authors.

Tuesdays

Toddler Story Time

10 to 11 a.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Geared for ages 2 to 3 but younger and older children are welcome. No meetings Dec. 11 to Jan. 15.

Watercolor and Acrylic Painting Group

10 a.m. to noon. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton.

No instructor. Bring your own supplies.

NOPL Knitters

10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Meet with other knitters (and crocheters) and learn or improve your technique.

Preschool Story Time

11 a.m. to noon. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Geared for ages 3 to 5 but younger siblings and guests are welcome. No meetings Dec. 11 to Jan. 15.

Tech Help

12:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Make an appointment with one of our staff to help you use your device efficiently — call (315) 699-2032.

Spark!

3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Science, math, engineering, art and technology activities for kids and teens.

Lego Club

4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton.

For ages 7 to 14.

Wednesdays

Toddler Story Time

10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Geared for ages 2 to 3 but younger and older children are welcome. No meetings Dec. 12 to Jan. 16.

Adult Coloring

10 a.m. to noon. Wednesdays. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton.

Get in on the latest adult craze: adult coloring books and coloring.

Storytime with Miss Sarah

10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

For newborns to age 3. Each week will be centered on a different theme. No meeting Dec. 26.

Preschool Story Time

11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Geared for ages 3 to 5 but younger siblings and guests are welcome. No meetings Dec. 12 to Jan. 16.

Thursdays

Legacy Writers

11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

A writer support group designed for writers over 50 years.

Storytime with Miss Sarah

11 a.m. to noon Thursdays. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

For ages 3 to 5. No meeting Dec. 27.

Tech help

1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Make an appointment with one of our staff to help you use your device efficiently — call (315) 699-2032.

Quilters

1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero.

Independent sewers come together to share tips, ideas, work on individual projects.

Spark!

3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse.

Science, math, engineering, art and technology activities for kids and teens.

NOPL Knitters at Night

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, North Syracuse.

Meet with other knitters (and crocheters) and learn or improve your technique.