Onondaga Free Library: Summer Reading, Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary, Book Clubs, Teen Escape Room and Volunteers, Dinosaur Archery Painting, Storytimes, Drop-In Fun for All Ages and more!

July 2026

Registration is open for all July programs!

Program Guide

Pick up a copy at the library or view it online!

Online Calendar
Learn about and register for any of our programs.

Summer Reading:

Adult Program

(ages 18 & up):

Sign up and log books to earn chances to win $20 gift cards to Boom Boom Mex Mex, The Clerk's House, Crazy Daisies, E.A.T., and Green Hills– All located right here in the Town of Onondaga! The more you read, the more chances you have to win!

Teen Program

(entering grades 7-12):

Set your own reading goal! Earn a Gannon’s Ice Cream token when you reach 50% and a free book when you complete your goal.
Reach your goal early?
Keep logging to be entered into our monthly raffle drawings for Target gift cards!

Kids Program

(entering grades K-6):

Get started online at

www.oflibrary.org/summer-reading

OR download the READsquared app so you can log your reading while on the go!

Summer is sponsored by
the Friends of OFL & Gannon's Ice Cream

Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary:

The Declaration of Independence
Tuesday, 7/7, 6:00-7:30pm
Presented by a Local Retired History Professor
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Independence day 4th of july fourth patriotic holidays american flag

History Roundtable: Fourth of July Party
Tuesday, 7/14, 6:00-7:30pm
Presented by a Local Retired History Professor
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Refreshments provided by
the Friends of OFL

The Disillusionment of America's Founders with Professor Dennis C. Rasmussen
Tuesday, 7/28, 6:00-7:30pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Sponsored by the Friends of OFL

Lafayette Trail Marker Dedication Ceremony & Celebration
Date/Time: Monday, 7/13 at 2pm
Presenter: The Lafayette Trail, Inc.
Location: Outdoors & Cafe Area
This new marker commemorates Revolutionary War hero General Lafayette's contributions to American Freedom and him being welcomed to the Onondaga Court House on June 9, 1825.

This marker was donated to OFL by The Lafayette Trail, Inc., with funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

To learn more, visit lafayette250.org/events or email inquiries@thelafayettetrail.org.

For Adults:

Dancercise
Dates/Time: Thursdays, 7/9 & 7/23, 11am-12pm
Presenter: Certified Zumba instructor Sue Mirra
Location: Community Room

Geared for the active older adult, this 50 minute class combines rhythmic muscle toning, dance moves, and stretching. It’s designed to improve your core, your balance, and your cardiovascular endurance.

For seniors | REGISTRATION REQUIRED for each session.

Sponsored by the Friends of OFL

Book Clubs:

Meet Cute

Monday, 7/6 at 7pm

Fireplace Seating

Registration Requested

The Last Widow: A Will Trent Thriller by Karin Slaughter

Thrilling Reads

Monday, 7/13 at 7pm

Fireplace Seating

Registration Requested

Recurring Programs:

Crafts with Friends

Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am

Fireplace Seating
Led by the Friends of OFL

Needlework Crafts
Thursdays, 2:00-3:30pm

Fireplace Seating

Led by Community Volunteer

Mah Jongg Meet-Up
Friday, 7/17,
1:30pm-3:30pm

Community Room

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

For Tweens & Teens:

STEM Friday
Friday, 7/10, 3-4pm

For ages 9-13

RE GISTRATION REQUIRED

DIY Dino Nuggets

Monday, 7/13, 6-7pm
For ages 12-18

Registration Requested

Build a Dino Video Game
3-day series: 7/21 - 7/23, 2:00-3:30pm

For ages 11-18

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Escape Room
Date/Time: Monday, 7/27, 5-6pm
Presenter: OFL's Teen Librarian
Location: Community Room - 1st Floor

Think you’re a master puzzle-solver? Put your skills to the test! Dive into an immersive escape room experience where you’ll hunt for hidden clues, unravel mysterious riddles and piece together the ultimate puzzle. Build your dream team, channel your inner detective, and see if you can escape before time runs out.

For ages 12-18 | REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Library Volunteers: For teens in grades 7-12

Teen Volunteer Meet-Ups
Date: Mondays, 7/6 & 7/20, 6-7pm
Presenter: OFL's Teen Librarian
Location: Community Room - 1st Floor

Want to volunteer at the library this summer? Join other teens in your community to make a positive impact at OFL. Volunteers help set up displays in the Teen Space, plan and host events, and help care for our Teen collection

For teens ages 12-18 | No registration necessary

Learn about OFL's teen volunteer program

and fill out the volunteer form at www.oflibrary.org/volunteer

For Kids & Families: Per OFL Policy, children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Pokémon Trading Card Game
Date/Time: Wednesday, 7/15 at 6pm
Presenter: OFL Staff
Location: Community Room

Enjoy a fun game of strategy and partnership while battling new friends with Pokémon cards. All skill levels are welcome!

For ages 7-12 | REGISTRATION REQUIRED

The M.O.S.T.: Rock & Fossil Lab

Date: Tuesday, 7/28 at 11am

Presenter: The M.O.S.T.
Location: Community Room - 1st Floor

Dig down with a MOST science educator as we explore the history of our planet! Get hands-on with rocks and fossils from the M.O.S.T. collection, explore our geologic past, and complete the session with a special fossil-themed craft.

For kids & tweens/teens ages 5-14 | Registration requested

Dinosaur Archery Painting
Date: Wednesday, 7/29
Times: 2 sessions to choose from: 1:00-2:30pm OR 3:00-4:30pm
Presenter: OFL's Children's Librarian
Location: Library Garden
Join us in the garden for a prehistoric painting experience! We'll use toy bows and suction cup arrows to shoot paint-dipped arrows at dinosaur-themed targets. Help us say fairwell to summer with some outdoor fun!
For kids ages 4-10 | REGISTRATION REQUIRED

For the Littles:

Family Storytime
Wednesdays,

7/8 & 7/22 at 10am

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Family Play & Caregiver Meetups
Fridays, 10:00-11:30am
No registration necessary

Music with Donna B
Date/Time: Wednesday, 7/15, 11:00-11:30am
Presenter: Donna Butterfield
Location: Community Room

Get ready to move, shake, and play! Join us for an special interactive musical storytime with Donna B. that will be filled with bubbles, stickers, and lots of fun.

For babies through Pre-K | REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Sponsored by the Friends of OFL

DROP-IN Fun for All Ages:

Dinosaur Egg
Mystery Scavenger Hunt
Monday, 7/6 - Monday, 8/31, All Day
For all ages! | DROP-IN

Rock Painting with
Rosco the Rock Snake

Fridays, 7/10-8/21, All Day

For all ages! | DROP-IN

Need reading recommendations?

Visit the Reading Recommendations page on our website to see what our book clubs are currently reading, for monthly new releases for all ages and award winners. The library also subscribes to the following premium resources to help you find your next great read.

NextReads
e-Newsletters

Get reading recommendations sent directly to your inbox!

Pick from a variety of customized reading lists focused on different genres and topics for all ages!

NoveList Plus

Find reviews, hundreds of theme-oriented book lists for readers at all grade levels, award-winning and recommended titles, read-alikes, book reviews and much more.

BookBrowse

An online magazine for book lovers - including reviews, "behind the book" backstories, author interviews, reading guides and much more.

Library Closing & Summer Hours:

Independence Day

Saturday, 7/4 - CLOSED

Summer Weekend Hours
3rd Saturday in June through Labor Day

Saturday: 10am-2pm

Sunday: Closed

Onondaga Free Library
4840 West Seneca Tpk
Syracuse, NY 13215
315-492-1727info@oflibrary.org
www.oflibrary.org

Hours:
Monday 9:00am-8:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am-8:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am-8:30pm
Thursday 9:00am-8:30pm
Friday 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm*
Sunday CLOSED*Summer Saturday Hours:
3rd Saturday in June through Labor Day
Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm