Syracuse Public Library staff members Shelly Krueger, left, and Rebekah Sceniak read “All That She Carried” by Tiya Miles. A discussion will occur at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Photo by Sarah Wright.

News Release

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Public Library is joining the Indiana Humanities’ “One State/One Story: All That She Carried” this fall. From September through November, the library will hold events tied to “All That She Carried” by Tiya Miles and local history.

The first event will be a book discussion of “All That She Carried” at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Historian Tiya Miles carefully traces one family’s faint presence in archival records, and, where archives fall short, she turns to objects, art and the environment to write a singular history of the experience of slavery, and the uncertain freedom afterward, in the United States.

During this discussion, light refreshments will be provided. The library asks that interested parties RSVP at tinyurl.com/SPLOneStateOneStory or email Emilia Layne at [email protected].

In October, the library will partner with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum and hold a traveling community artifact exhibit. Community members can loan local artifacts and heirlooms to this exhibit, including photos, locally found fossils, locally made items, etc. These items will be displayed at the library from Oct. 7-11 before going to the museum from Oct. 11-21. Items must be brought to the library by Friday, Oct. 4, with a brief postcard-size description. After the exhibit wraps up, items can be picked up at the library starting Tuesday, Oct. 22.

In November, there will be a film series in partnership with PBS Michiana and Syracuse Parks and Recreation. More details will be shared in the future.

“One State/One Story: All That She Carried” is presented by Indiana Humanities in partnership with the Indiana Center for the Book and the Indiana State Library as part of Indiana Humanities’ Advancing Racial Equity Project, supported by Lilly Endowment.

Library Closing

Syracuse Public Library will close Tuesday, Sept. 24, for a building project planning meeting. Board members, SPL staff and Friends of the Syracuse Public Library will attend this initial meeting, with future meetings being held to include members of the public.

Young Adult Programming

Teens will create shrinky-dink phone charms during the next Young Adult Creativity Club meeting from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the Rosalyn Jones Room. There will be snacks.

Later in the week, teens can attend the young adult anime club from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the downstairs meeting room. Teens will vote on an anime available on the library’s Crunchyroll account; it is a great way to discover new animes with others. The library will provide instant ramen and snacks.

Children’s Programming

Story time meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the children’s department. There will be new stories to enjoy while preschoolers learn more about the alphabet and pick up some Spanish and American Sign Language. There will also be a craft related to this week’s letter, “G.”

SPL’s homeschool class also meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the downstairs meeting room. Children in first through third grade will learn about leaf identification.