Library Timeline

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1970: Martin Luther King Room dedicated at Central Library
- Post-Standard, April 10, 1970

1971: A preliminary report of the Syracuse Public Library makes a new main library a “priority for the 1970s”
- Post-Standard, Jan. 13, 1971

1971: Mayor Alexander asks for county contribution to library operating expenses, noting that more than a third of registered borrowers are non-city residents  
- Herald-Journal, March 4, 1971
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1971: Onondaga County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee approves $20,000 to  aid Central Library    
- Herald-Journal, August 26, 1971

1973: The Citizens’ Advisory Committee to Study Libraries in Onondaga County proposes the creation of an Onondaga County Library System which would also operate Central Library 
- Post-Standard, June 28, 1973
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1973: County planners study ideas for a new Central Library proposed for land on State St.    
– Herald-Journal, Oct. 12, 1973

1974: County Executive John Mulroy proposes a combined library and parking garage complex to replace Central Library     
- Herald-Journal, March 5, 1974

1974: County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee approves $580,000 to pay the county share of operating Central Library      
- Herald-Journal, April 25, 1974

1974: Public library station for Spanish-speaking patrons established at the Spanish Action League’s Headquarters on Syracuse’s West Side by the Syracuse Public Library          
- Post-Standard, July 4, 1974

1974: About 50 paintings by John D. Barrow “discovered” in storage at the Beauchamp and White branch libraries          
- Herald-Journal, Oct. 10, 1974

1974: Elmwood Branch of the Syracuse Public Library will be closed after January 1 with service to the neighborhood to be provided by the Bookmobile
- Post-Standard, Nov. 20, 1974

1974: Provisional charter granted to the Onondaga County Public Library by the State Board of Regents   
- Post-Standard, Dec. 17, 1974

1975: National Library Week observed with the theme of "Information Power"
- Herald-Journal, April 18, 1975

1975: Robert P. Kinchen named director of the newly formed Onondaga County Public Library
- Post-Standard, August 14, 1975

1975: Proposed library-parking garage complex plan shelved 
- Herald-Journal, Jan. 4, 1975

1975: Agreement between the city and the county gives ownership of Central Library and annex to the county which would be responsible for operating and maintenance costs; the county will operate (but not own) city branches and the city will pay expenses
– Herald-Journal, March 27, 1975
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1975: Southwest Community Center opens on South Ave. and includes a public library station
– Herald-Journal, Aug. 14, 1975

1975: The Board of Regents dissolves the Onondaga Library System and the Syracuse Public Library and permanently charters the Onondaga County Public Library 
- Post-Standard, Oct. 31 1975

1975: City auditor advocates the complete consolidation of branch library services and financing under the county in addition to the Central Library 
- Post-Standard, Dec. 5, 1975

1976: New logo for the Onondaga County Public Library unveiled
- Post-Standard, April 9, 1976

1976: A 140-year-old clock, stolen from the Beauchamp Branch over a year ago, was recovered in New York City and returned to the library             
- Post-Standard, August 13, 1976

1977: County reduced funding of Central Library
- Post-Standard, June 7, 1977
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1978: O.C.P.L patrons received the first plastic library cards with bar codes in anticipation of an automated circulation system    
- 1978 Annual Report

1978: Betts, Paine and Soule became the first Onondaga County Public Library branches to be “automated” with the Gaylord Computerized Circulation System, with bar coded book and patron library cards in July   
-1978 Annual Report

1978: Beauchamp Branch received a new furnace, improved exterior lighting and window bars for added security     
-1978 Annual Report

1979: Employee award established in honor of former librarian Ossie Golden 
- Post-Standard, Feb. 22, 1979

1979: County legislature approves hiring library guard to “combat a growing problem of harassment of patrons and employees by derelicts”             
- Herald-Journal, May 8, 1979

1979: County Legislature’s Committee on Education and Libraries rejects former Post Office building on Clinton Square as possible home of a new central library  
- Post-Standard, July 25, 1979

1979: “Roadrunner”, constructed on a motor home chassis, replaces 1969 Bookmobile       
- Herald-Journal, Sept. 5, 1979

1979: “Roadrunner” bookmobile recalled by Chrysler Corp.  
- Herald-American, Dec. 9, 1979

1979: OCPL organized the Consumer Health Information Consortium (C.H.I.C.) among the regions’ libraries  
- 1979 Annual Report

1979: “The Creative Rag”, a magazine “by and for children,” is created by OCPL in observance of the International Year of the Child            
 - 1979 Annual Report