OCPL 'Value of Public Libraries' Survey

Help the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) understand how libraries play a transformative role in people’s lives. With help from MBA students from the Whitman School at Syracuse University, we have launched a short survey designed to collect powerful data on how library users individually benefit from library services.

Click here to take the survey.

As a “thank you,” two lucky people will each win a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble!

System Down Today

The library system, including the catalog and account access, is down today due to an upgrading of our system. Thank you for your patience during this down time.

Library Puzzler: Solution & Winners

For those who are curious as to the solution to the 2011 Library Puzzler, the wait is over...

• CHARACTER SOLUTION: Phileas Fogg
• BOOK SOLUTION: Around the World in 80 Days
• LIBRARY SOLUTION: Onondaga Free Library

And congratulations to this year's winners!
1st Winner: Kathy Vogel (Marcellus)
2nd Winner: Ross Gelmen (Betts, Lafayette, Onondaga Free, Dewitt, Manlius)
3rd Winner: Michele Stephenson (Betts)
4th Winner: Beth Vinette (Cicero)
5th Winner: Greg Potter (Central)
Staff Winner: Stephanie Moncavage (Marcellus)

OCPL Library Puzzler: Week 4 Clues

Here are the fourth (and FINAL) week's clues...

CHARACTER CLUES:

• A weather condition
• Has appeared in more than one book
• An Englishman

BOOK CLUES:

• It's a matter of time
• Takes place in America
• Rail and steamer

LIBRARY CLUES:

• A Freegal library
• Has a fireplace
• Near a Dunkin' Donuts

WILDCARD CLUES:

• ATWIED
• PF by JV
• Can't spell without an F

OCPL Library Puzzler: Week 3 Clues

Here are the third week's clues...

CHARACTER CLUES:

• Fastidious
• Imprisoned
• Voyager
  

BOOK CLUES:

• French
• Takes Place in India
  
• No. 7 Savillle Row
  

LIBRARY CLUES:

• Has a self-checkout
• The four elements
  
• Multiple meeting rooms
  

OCPL Library Puzzler: Week 2 Clues

Here are the second week's clues...

CHARACTER CLUES:

• Mistaken identity
• L not N

BOOK CLUES:

• Victorian
• Chapters "In Which"

LIBRARY CLUES:

• Woods inside and out
• Can't call it LEGOs

OCPL Library Puzzler: Week 1 Clues

Here are the first week's clues...

• CHARACTER CLUE: Double G
  
• BOOK CLUE: Numerical; Nellie Bly takes the challenge
  
• LIBRARY CLUES: Has a community room
  

OCPL Library Puzzler

Join us in celebrating National Library Week this year with OCPL's 2011 Library Puzzler!

With the clues that the OCPL libraries are providing, you just have to answer three questions:

1. Who?... What literary character has disappeared?
2. What?... From which well-known book?
3. Where?... Which Onondaga County Public Library was the scene of the disappearance?

Find the clues, solve the mystery, and you'll be entered in a drawing to win fabulous prizes!

The contest runs from March 14th to April 11th. That is 4 weeks of clues! Check every week for clues at the OCPL libraries, on your due date receipts, on our website, Facebook page, and right here!

Have fun and good luck with this Puzzler!

OCPL's Community Quest!

To celebrate National Library Week (April 11-17), all the Onondaga County Public Libraries have developed a community scavenger hunt. All you have to do is find the clues and solve the mystery! If you do that, you could win great prizes!

What is the mystery?... A literary character has disappeared from a well-known book located at one of our Onondaga County Public Libraries. So, in order to solve the mystery, you have to find out the following three things:

1. WHO?... Which literary character has disappeared?
2. WHAT?... From which well-known book did this character escape?
3. WHERE?... Which Onondaga County Public Library was the scene of the disappearance?

The Community Quest will run from Monday, March 15th to Saturday, April 17th. During this time, participants should look for clues at library service points, such as the Circulation Desk and Reference Desk at any of the Onondaga County Public Libraries. Clues may also be found in library publications, such as newsletters, or on the libraries' websites.

Only one entry form per person and all entry forms must be submitted online or to one of the Onondaga County Public Libraries by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 17th. Submissions with all three correct answers will be included in the prize drawing, which will take place on Wednesday, April 21st. Winners will be drawn at random and will be notified no later than Friday, April 23rd. Prizes include gifts and gift cards donated by Friends groups, Barnes & Noble, Wegmans, Regal Cinemas and more!

So, don't forget... Start looking for clues on Monday!