The Syracuse Library Announces Reading Winners

Adult readers had 5-weeks to show their enthusiasm for reading with Go Green for My Community reading program. Oct. 1 was the last day to enter and three winners were selected to choose a local nonprofit organization to receive $25.

Becky Brower, head of adult programming, is pleased that more than 130 patrons participated.

“The response we heard the most was that this is a contest just for fun.” She added, “The staff did a wonderful job of making bookmarks from old wallpaper samples. The library is a place where many people can have the use of a single book. Environmentally libraries are a great idea.”

The person that won the category for most books read is Bessie Grimes. Bessie has had health issues for several years so she wasn’t surprised that she read more than other people.

“What else am I going to do at my age?” She quipped, “I want to give back to the library.” Her choice was to give to the Friends of the Syracuse Library. Grimes enjoys reading books in a series and often asks for books from other libraries when reading her favorite authors.

The winning ballots, drawn from about 400 entries, belonged to Niki Pawlicki and Stephen Unruh. Pawlicki designated the Friends of the Library as her nonprofit. She said that the first place she went when she moved to Syracuse 40 years ago was the library. She still has her original card. Niki has delivered Meals-on-Wheels for 10 years and has been active in the community. Pawlicki reads new books and watches for more from her favorite authors.

Unruh chose the Wawasee-Syracuse Garden Club to receive a $25 contribution. His wife, Pam, is active in the garden club. Besides maintaining the planters and flower beds in the parks of Syracuse, the garden club raises money to purchase all of the plantings. The hanging baskets the Garden Club maintained in front of the library were beautiful this summer. Steve checks-out audio books to pass the time when he drives to work.

Reading is Fun for Teens

Young adults explore the library with a scavenger hunt during the next YA New-book Club. Teens are encouraged to come at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to enjoy some time at the library.