What Syracuse Public Library does

Syracuse Public Library (legally Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library) is a single-location public library district in Syracuse, Indiana, serving Turkey Creek Township — an area with under 10,000 year-round residents that expands seasonally with summer visitors to Lake Wawasee and Lake Syracuse. The library operates from a 1921 Carnegie building at 115 East Main Street and is constructing a new 14,000+ sq ft facility at 705 N. Dolan Drive with construction planned to begin in 2026. Its core technology is the Evergreen Indiana integrated library system, which connects the library to a consortium of over 125 Indiana libraries providing shared access to nearly 8 million items for over 1 million Indiana residents, supplemented by the Evergreen Indiana mobile app, Libby/OverDrive and Hoopla digital lending, and Beanstack for reading challenges.

The library's service portfolio spans three age-segmented departments (Children, Young Adults, Adults), a Library of Things (tools, instruments, STEM kits, museum passes), a Seed Library, blood pressure monitor kits via the Libraries with Heart initiative, public computing and Wi-Fi hotspot lending, notary services, homebound delivery, Anytime Locker Pickup, and an Indiana Legal Help kiosk. Annual engagement reaches approximately 87,000 visits against a collection of 55,000+ books, with strategic partnerships spanning Wawasee Community Schools (3,000+ students receiving free cards), Clinton and Benton townships (nonresident card subsidies), Evergreen Indiana, the Indiana Bar Foundation, the American Heart Association, the American Conversation Project, and several Kosciusko County family and community foundations.

The library is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees and funded primarily through a Turkey Creek Township property tax levy established under the Carnegie Formula. Secondary revenue streams include nonresident library card fees (one-year card at $86 effective August 2026, with 50% township subsidies), PLAC ($70 statewide access card), Friends of the Library fundraising, printing and faxing fees, replacement card fees ($2), and grants. The library employs approximately 12–15 staff, including Executive Director Jon Gaskill (since October 13, 2025), and follows a fine-free policy for all materials except hotspots.

Name

Syracuse Public Library

Legal name

Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library

Website

https://syracuse.lib.in.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Syracuse Public Library is a Carnegie-era public library district in Syracuse, Indiana, serving Turkey Creek Township residents (under 10,000) and Wawasee Community Schools students via the Evergreen Indiana consortium, offering books, digital lending, Library of Things, programming, and community services funded primarily through a local property tax levy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Educational Services (611)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community lending programs
• Digital library resources
• Historical research services
• Children's library programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Local Property Tax Assessment: Primary funding source. Library is funded through local property tax assessment in Turkey Creek Township. This tax levy supports ongoing operations and was originally established as part of the Carnegie Formula requirements.
2. Nonresident Library Cards: Library cards sold to nonresidents. Current pricing (effective Aug 1, 2026): One-year card $86, 6-month card $43, 4-month card $28.67, 3-month card $21.50. Partnerships with Clinton Township and Benton Township subsidize 50% of nonresident cards for their residents.
3. PLAC (Public Library Access Card): Indiana statewide library access card purchased for $70 at the circulation desk, allowing patrons to use any public library in Indiana.
4. Friends of the Library Fundraising: Friends of the Library group conducts fundraisers including book sales, author luncheons, Knights of Columbus Bingo Nights, and local art silent auctions. Proceeds support Summer Reading, teen programs, and library equipment purchases.
5. Printing, Copying, and Faxing Services: Revenue from printing (black and white $0.10/page, color $0.40/page), faxing ($2 sending flat rate, $0.25/page receiving), and copying services.
6. Replacement Cards and Lost Item Fees: $2 replacement card fee. Replacement costs charged for items not returned within 28 days of due date (waived if returned in good condition). Hotspots incur $2/day late fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Syracuse Public Library operates as a single-location public library providing free library cards to Turkey Creek Township residents and Wawasee Community School students, granting access to physical lending of 55,000+ books and media, digital lending via Libby/OverDrive and Hoopla, the Library of Things specialty lending program, and the Evergreen Indiana consortium's 8 million items across 125+ libraries. The library also delivers free programming for all ages, public computing and Wi-Fi hotspot lending, outreach services (homebound delivery, locker pickup, curbside pickup), historical research resources, and community services including a notary and the Indiana Legal Help kiosk.

Product overview

Syracuse Public Library operates as a single-location public library offering both physical and digital services. The core offering centers on the Evergreen Indiana integrated library system (catalog and circulation), supplemented by digital content platforms including Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, and Beanstack for reading challenges. The Library of Things program extends lending beyond traditional materials to specialty items. Technology access includes public computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, printing/scanning/faxing, and an Indiana Legal Help kiosk. Outreach services encompass homebound delivery, Anytime Locker Pickup, and curbside pickup. Historical research services include rare books, microfilm, and digitization partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Evergreen Indiana Catalog The library's online catalog and circulation system, providing access to Syracuse Public Library's 55,000+ items and interlibrary loan through the Evergreen Indiana consortium of 125+ libraries.
• Evergreen Indiana Mobile App Mobile application allowing patrons to view checked-out items, place holds, build lists, and access a digital library card.
• Libby/OverDrive Digital Lending Digital lending platform providing free e-books, audiobooks, and magazines accessible with a valid library card.
• Hoopla Digital Media Digital media platform offering e-books, audiobooks, TV shows, comics, movies, and music accessible with the SPL library card.
• Beanstack Reading Challenge Tracker Reading challenge tracking platform used for Summer Reading, Winter Reading, and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten programs across all age groups, sponsored by Friends of the Library.
• Library of Things Specialty lending program allowing cardholders to borrow items such as metal detectors, adventure backpacks, museum passes, educational toys, electronics, musical instruments, art supplies, tools, recreation items, and STEM kits. Entry passes loan for 3 days; other items for 1 week.
• Seed Library Community seed library program allowing patrons to check out up to 10 seed packets to plant at home, with no returns required. Seeds supplied by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Merry Lea Environmental Center, and Territorial Seed Company.
• Public Computer and Technology Access Free public computers (8 upstairs including 2 in YA space, 3 laptops in children's department), free high-speed Wi-Fi, printing/copying/scanning services, and faxing services available to all patrons.
• Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending Mobile hotspot devices available for checkout to library card holders in good standing (18+) for two-week periods with no renewals; $2/day late fee applies.
• Indiana Legal Help Kiosk Digital kiosk providing free public access to legal forms, instructional videos, referrals to free and low-cost legal services, and a statewide calendar of free legal advice clinics; managed by the Indiana Bar Foundation.
• Homebound Delivery Staff visits homebound patrons (those with temporary or permanent difficulty coming to the library) and delivers books, movies, magazines, and audiobooks.
• Anytime Locker Pickup After-hours locker system allowing patrons to request materials, which are checked out and placed in designated lockers for pickup using the last four digits of their library card.
• Curbside Pickup Contactless pickup service where patrons call ahead with material requests and library staff bring items to vehicles at the Harrison Street door.
• Genealogy and Historical Research Services Resources including rare books collection, microfilm newspapers (1875-2004), Indiana Collection, Ancestry Library Edition (on-site Wi-Fi access), Syracuse-Wawasee Digital Archives, and Hoosier State Chronicles digitized newspapers.
• Notary Public Service Free notary services available from Executive Director Jon Gaskill and Robert Rensberger when present at the library.
• Libraries with Heart Blood Pressure Monitor Kits Validated blood pressure monitor and cuff kits that patrons can check out for two weeks or use in-library, including AHA-guided materials on taking blood pressure at home, recording logs, and local healthcare provider lists.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87,000 library visits per year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Benton Township (Elkhart County)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership (Feb 1, 2026-Feb 1, 2027 with renewal option) subsidizing 50% of nonresident card fees for Benton Township residents and covering 100% of student nonresident cards May 1-Aug 31 each year.
• Science Central (Fort Wayne)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2025Library of Things partnership allowing patrons to check out passes to Science Central, an all-ages hands-on science center with 200+ permanent exhibits. Pass allows 2 adults and 6 children free entry for 3 days.
• Baker Creek Heirloom SeedsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2025Seed library provider contributing to the library's seed library program, which allows community members to check out up to 10 seed packets to plant at home with no return required.
• Merry Lea Environmental CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2025Seed library provider contributing to the library's seed library program for native plant and pollinator education.
• Territorial Seed CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2025Seed library provider contributing to the library's seed library program for community gardening and education.
• Clinton Township (Elkhart County)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Partnership (July 2025-July 2026 with renewal option) subsidizing 50% of nonresident card fees for Clinton Township residents and covering 100% of student nonresident cards May 1-Aug 31 each year.
• Arkos Design (Mishawaka)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Architecture firm selected from four proposals to design the new library building at 705 N. Dolan Drive. Conducted feasibility study (November 2023) and schematic design (December 2024) approved by board of trustees.
• Syracuse Town CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Donated property at 705 N. Dolan Drive to the library for construction of new library building. Represents key municipal partnership for building project.
• Evergreen IndianacoreTechnology or IntegrationEvergreen Indiana is a consortium of over 125 public, school, and institutional libraries in Indiana using the Evergreen ILS. The consortium provides cost savings and access to nearly 8 million items for over 1 million Indiana residents. Syracuse Public Library participates as a member library, enabling interlibrary loan and shared catalog access.
• Libby/OverDrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital lending platform providing e-books, audiobooks, and magazines accessible through the Libby app or web browser. Patrons access the platform using their Evergreen Indiana library card.
• Hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platform providing free access to e-books, audiobooks, TV shows, comics, movies, and music with Syracuse Public Library card.
• American Conversation ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant-funded community conversation program. Syracuse Public Library received a grant to hold a series of four community conversations about Syracuse's past, present, and future, facilitated by Executive Director Jon Gaskill.
• Syracuse-Wawasee Historical MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for historical preservation and digitization projects. The museum and library have collaborated on digitizing historic local newspapers (available on Hoosier State Chronicles) and other historical materials through Syracuse-Wawasee Digital Archives.
• Indiana Bar FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages the Indiana Legal Help kiosk project in partnership with Coalition for Court Access, funded by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority grant. The kiosk at Syracuse Public Library provides legal forms, instructional videos, referrals to free/low-cost legal services.
• Syracuse-Wawasee Digital Archives (Indiana Memory)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative digitization project providing access to primary sources from local museums, archives, and cultural institutions. SPL has partnered to digitize fragile items from their collections and historic local newspapers.
• Hoosier State ChroniclesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide digitization initiative providing access to historic Hoosier newspapers. SPL partnered to make digitized local newspapers available through this platform, including Kosciusko County-specific newspapers.
• Friends of the Syracuse Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer support organization that fundraises (book sales, author luncheons, bingo nights, silent auctions) to purchase equipment and sponsor programs including Summer Reading, Teen Art Contest, and Beanstack app.
• Knights of ColumbusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization partners with Friends of the Library for Bingo Fundraiser events.
• Wawasee Community SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district with 3,000+ students eligible for free library cards. Library conducts outreach through school programs, summer reading partnerships, and educational programming.
• American Heart AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibraries with Heart initiative providing validated blood pressure monitor kits. Each kit includes AHA-guided materials on taking blood pressure at home, what numbers mean, recording logs, and local healthcare provider lists.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Major Carnegie Foundation-funded public library system with multiple branches in Pittsburgh. Comparable through the Carnegie heritage and small-branch community library model, but operates at far greater urban scale.
• Indianapolis Public Library: Central Indiana's largest public library system. Comparable as an Indiana public library using the Evergreen consortium, but operates at much greater scale across multiple branches and is not a direct competitor to Syracuse's single-location rural service area.
• Allen County Public Library: Fort Wayne-based Indiana public library system and one of the largest U.S. public libraries by collection size. Comparable as an Indiana public library, but operates at urban scale across many branches with significantly larger staff and budget.

Others

• OverDrive (Libby): Digital content platform provider whose Libby app delivers e-books, audiobooks, and magazines to Syracuse Public Library patrons. Comparable as a technology/infrastructure enabler for the library's digital lending program.
• Hoopla Digital: Digital media platform providing e-books, audiobooks, TV shows, comics, movies, and music to SPL cardholders. Comparable as a digital content infrastructure partner enabling the library's streaming and digital lending offerings.

Regional players

• Lake County Public Library: Northwest Indiana public library system. Comparable as an Indiana public library, but serves a different geographic region around Crown Point/Merrillville rather than the Kosciusko County lake region.
• Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library: Indiana public library system serving the Evansville metro area. Comparable as an Indiana public library participating in the Evergreen consortium and offering Library of Things-style services, but serves a different southern Indiana geography.

Direct peers

• Kosciusko County Public Library: If separately operated, this would be the most direct geographic peer; Kosciusko County-area public library serving a similar rural northern Indiana population. Comparable for regional market overlap and Indiana public library funding dynamics.
• Warsaw Community Public Library: Kosciusko County, Indiana public library based in Warsaw, the county seat. Serves an overlapping regional population with similar rural Indiana context, consortium membership, and public library service model.
• Wabash Carnegie Public Library: Another small Indiana Carnegie-era public library in Wabash, IN. Most directly comparable peer; new SPL Executive Director Jon Gaskill previously led this library, and both serve rural Indiana communities with similar Carnegie heritage and consortium membership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/syracusepubliclibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/syracusepubliclibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syracuse-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syracuse Public Library