CICERO — The Northern Onondaga Public Libraries (NOPL) are officially open! In the past weeks, NOPL has been operating its facilities via curbside and browsing appointments, but now the doors will be open for walk-ins. While staff will be watching for capacity limits, NOPL invites the public to browse, return items, and use library services without having to make an appointment.
Now that NOPL is open, a lot has changed. While the libraries were closed and functioning at a limited capacity, NOPL made great efforts to research what they could do to improve the space. As NOPL began moving bookshelves at all locations, they discovered a way to help the library feel open, safe, and welcoming; surfaces were cleaned, collections were weeded, and many walls got a fresh coat of paint.
“I love the blue on the walls,” said Jennifer Tolley, community outreach librarian at NOPL Brewerton. “We have heard such a positive response from our patrons, and we’re excited to welcome more of the community in to see the changes.”
“As a surprise to our community, patrons will be welcomed with a new adult fiction area at our North Syracuse branch,” says Amanda Travis, NOPL director. “Funds were set aside in 2020 to make this renovation possible, but we had to push the project off due to the pandemic. The new layout will create a flexible and welcoming space.”
“We changed a lot,” added Bill Hastings, assistant director and North Syracuse branch manager. “North Syracuse Branch is one of the highest circulating libraries in the county, and we have to use every inch of this space for the newest and most popular items.”
“We’re very excited about the changes,” says Cicero Branch Manager Nicole Hershberger, “but we’re most excited about seeing the community back in the library.”
The Brewerton and Cicero branches opened May 3, and the North Syracuse branch opened the following week after finishing off the makeover of its adult fiction area. Many of the services currently provided will continue when the library is fully open; curbside will be available at all locations, and appointments for computer use can still be scheduled ahead by phone or online on their website. Proper wearing of masks and social distancing remain enforced and necessary.
Current hours for all locations vary; please visit nopl.org for the latest schedule and more information.
