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OCPL Central Library
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The Galleries of Syracuse
447 South Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13202-2494
E-mail:
reference@onlib.org
Website: www.onlib.org
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
All numbers are area code (315).
HOURS: 435-1902
LIBRARY CARDS: 435-1904
RENEWALS: 435-1904
TELEPHONE REFERENCE: 435-1900
ADMINISTRATION: 435-1800
PERSONNEL: 435-1800
ADULT LITERACY: 435-1835
ESL INFORMATION: 435-1835
SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: 435-1876
TDD (Communication for the Deaf): 435-1872
HOURS
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | closed |
PLEASE NOTE:
Administration Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM –
5:00 PM
Public service on all levels ceases 10 minutes before closing
Checkout on the Lobby Level ceases 5 minutes
before closing
SUMMER HOURS
Same as above
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
See About the Libraries
for holiday closings at the Central Library and city
libraries.
GRACE DAYS: 1
EVENTS
See the Events Calendar or Central's monthly Calendar and Newsletter for upcoming events.
FRIENDS GROUP
Friends of the Central Library
PLAN OF SERVICE
2007-2011 Central Library Plan of Service [pdf format]
WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS AT CENTRAL LIBRARY
FAQs and Wireless Internet Access Policy
FAQs and Wireless Internet Access Policy [pdf format]
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND SERVICES
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| Carnegie Building, 1905 |
HISTORY
In 1852 the Syracuse Board of Education established a library in the old city hall, marking the beginning of the Syracuse Public Library.
In 1975 the city and county libraries merged to become the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL). Robert P. Kinchen joined the new system as its director in January of the following year. During his 14 years at OCPL Kinchen helped launch new services including automated circulation, books by mail, and talking book programs.
Robert Kinchen was also instrumental in moving the Central Library from its 1905 Carnegie building to the Galleries of Syracuse in 1988. He was responsible for creating community support and enthusiasm for the move, and as a result, attendance nearly doubled in the first three years following the move.
The Central Library is now named the Robert P. Kinchen Central Library, to honor its first director who passed away in early 1991.
ABOUT THE LIBRARY
GROUND LEVEL: From the Salina Street
entrance, enter the Curtin Auditorium for special
events. Community groups are welcome to use this facility,
and library-sponsored programs such as lectures, receptions
and performances are scheduled here. You may also
take the elevator in the library down to "A."
LOBBY LEVEL: The main entrance to
the library is located on the second level of The
Galleries. This level features the Browse-About area specializing
in new popular books, feature film
videos and DVDs, abridged audiobooks, CDs, and magazines.
Express Internet access is available as well as checkout
and library card registration.
LEVEL THREE: Information Services
features both reference and circulating nonfiction
books, periodicals, newspapers, government documents
and maps. Special resources include Internet access;
online periodical databases and reference services;
the Grants Center; the choral music collection; and
education, career, health and business collections.
LEVEL FOUR: Fiction, biography,
young adult, foreign language and large print books,
classical music recordings, foreign films, documentary and instructional
videos and DVDs, and unabridged audiobooks are located
on this floor. The STAR (Special Technologies and
Adaptive Resources) program provides materials and
services for disabled individuals. The Literacy Resource
Center provides information, learning materials and
computer programs for adult tutors and students engaged
in English As a Second Language and reading instruction.
The Pass Computer Lab is used for group Internet and
computer training classes. Individual personal computers
with word processing applications are also available
for public use.
Children’s World offers a full range of print
and nonprint resources for children, preschool to
grade six. Public access computers and software as
well as Internet access are available for children
in this department. A special feature is the Kids’
Answer Place, an information service including books
and videos to help families cope with everyday problems.
A teen area is also on level four.
LEVEL FIVE: Local History/Genealogy is a respected research center with extensive collections
on genealogy and local and state history.
Offices for Onondaga County Public Library
personnel and administration are housed here.
Last updated: July 15, 2008