CICERO — The Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) began operations as an organization in 1996, marking 2022 as the 26th anniversary. The three individual branches — Brewerton, Cicero, and North Syracuse — have been around for much longer.

The Northern Onondaga Public Library’s Cicero Branch is the oldest recorded library in the NOPL district, having been chartered around 1890. The original library did not have its own building but was instead housed in Melville Jackson’s General Store.

After a brief period in the village school on Route 11, The Cicero Free Library finally got its own building in 1939. The Cicero Free Library would go on to join the Onondaga County Public Library System — of which NOPL is a member today — in 1962.

In 1978, a generous donation by Roy Pickard led to an expansion of the library building, and the library renamed itself the Roy Pickard Cicero Free Library until NOPL was formed.

The North Syracuse branch of NOPL is the second oldest of the three, having first received a provisional charter to operate in 1929 — though community members had been borrowing books from a local store years earlier.

The first building to be strictly for the North Syracuse Free Library was donated by Anna Marsh Reed at a generous price. At the time, the library had only 100 books that it borrowed from the Syracuse Public Library.

North Syracuse joined the Onondaga County Public Library the same year Cicero did in 1962. A new building was built for the library in 1976 with help from the community and donors.

Formed in 1937, NOPL at Brewerton is the youngest of the branches. Receiving its provisional charter in 1941, the library started in a former post office room and opened with over a thousand books for the community.

The Brewerton Public Library relocated in 1957 to a former schoolhouse, and shortly after a new building was built specifically for the library. In 1958, the Brewerton Public Library received a considerate grant from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corp. to construct a new library.

The three libraries came together to form a library district in 1995. New York State Assemblyman Michael Bragman proposed legislation in 1995 to create the Northern Onondaga Public Library Special Legislative District. Previously, each of the libraries had its budget that was decided by the school district ballot and approved by the town and village boards.

As a special district, the three libraries would be able to combine their funds and appeal directly to voters for money to buy new books and equipment.

Additionally, NOPL would have one Board of Trustees that would be elected by the community to handle finances, create policies, and hire a qualified library director to manage the day-to-day operations. This gave the community more of a say in how the libraries are managed.

On Jan. 1, 1996, the public libraries of Brewerton, Cicero, and North Syracuse began operations as the Northern Onondaga Public Library.

New buildings were soon under construction for each branch in 1998, giving each library more space for materials and programs. The grand opening of the new buildings was July 10, 1999.

In recent years, all NOPL branches have gone fine-free, meaning there is no fee should someone return a book after its due date. Today, 97% of NOPL’s funding comes from taxpayers in the town of Cicero and part of the town of Clay. Borrowing books, DVDs, and more are free for members of Onondaga County, and the general services of each library are free for everyone.

For more than two decades, the libraries of NOPL have brought the community together with activities, events, and a shared love of reading — and it is just the beginning.

This week

THURSDAY, JULY 28

Outdoor Summer Storytime

10 to 10:30 a.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane. Join Miss Raena for Thursday morning storytime to enjoy stories, songs, and fun! Storytime will be outside on the library’s back lawn but we will move into the community room inside in the event of poor weather. Registration is required; visit nopl.org.

Build the Change: Helping Seahorses

1 p.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Build the Change is a powerful way for children to express their hopes and dreams for the future with LEGO bricks and other creative materials, plus their own imagination. Participants will learn about real-life problems and brainstorm sustainable solutions. Register for one workshop or all three. Topics include creating a sustainable building, a sanctuary for koalas, and a safe haven for seahorses. For ages 8-12. Registration required; visit skanlibrary.org.

Outdoor STEAM Challenges

2 to 2:30 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. Please register at nopl.org.

Ancient Egyptian Magic

6 to 7 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. Welcome Egyptologist Willa Snowbender as she takes us on a journey through ancient Egyptian magic.

FRIDAY, JULY 29

Drop-In Teen Gaming

Noon to 3 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane. Stop in to relax and play video games on the library’s Nintendo Switch. There will be a selection of games that you can choose from including Mario Kart. Bring a friend with you to challenge and play together.

MONDAY, AUG. 1

Teen Drawing and Art Club

4:30 to 7:30 p.m.NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St. Drop in and get creative with a variety of art mediums from drawing and painting, to sculpting, general crafting, and good old-fashioned coloring.

North Syracuse Book Discussion Group

6 to 8 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. The group will be discussing “Wayward” by Dana Spiotta. Pick up a copy of this title at the NOPL North Syracuse service desk. All are welcome. Call 315-458-6184 or visit nopl.org for more information; no registration required.

TUESDAY, AUG. 2

Dog Days of Summer

3 to 7 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. In celebration of the dog days of summer, we will play fun games and make all sorts of cute doggy crafts, including a doorknob hanger, mask, puppet and puppy paper. No registration required.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3

Kids Crafts: Light Up Fireflies

Noon to 1 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane. Create your own fireflies that actually light up! Registration required; call 315-699-2032 or visit nopl.org.

Recurring events

Monday Mile Walking Club

10 to 11 a.m. Mondays
Hosted by NOPL Brewerton

It’s summertime, and time to get moving! The walking club will visit a variety of locations to explore and build more motion into participants’ days. Please call the Brewerton Library for more information at 315-676-7484.

Teen Drawing and Art Club

4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays
NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St.

Drop in and get creative with a variety of art mediums from drawing and painting, to sculpting, general crafting, and good old-fashioned coloring. For more information, call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl.org.

NOPL Knitters

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

The NOPL Knitters are beginner, experienced, and master knitters and crocheters interested in learning new techniques, sharing about their projects, and of course, socializing. For more information, call 315-458-6184 or visit nopl.org.

Morning Storytime

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

Join Ms. Nicole for a themed story time with movement, music, and of course, some good stories. For more information, call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl.org.

Afternoon Storytime

1 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays
NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane

Join Miss Raena for an afternoon of stories, songs, and fun! Storytime will be outside on the library’s back lawn but we will move into the community room inside in the event of poor weather. Please register at nopl.org.

Storytime with Miss Sarah

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

Join Miss Sarah for a free storytime filled with picture books and songs. Designed for young children and their caregivers. After 30 minutes of stories and songs there will be 30 minutes of playtime. For more information, call 315-458-6184 or visit nopl.org.

NOPL English Language Conversation Group

4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. Zoom

New English learners seeking practice in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary are welcome to join in a virtual meeting. Topics will focus on shopping, talking to a healthcare provider, ordering food and more. Please register by calling 315-699-2032 or visiting nopl.org. An email with a link to the Zoom meeting will be sent out to registrants.