Betts Branch Library - Onondaga County Public Libraries

10/21/2026

Baskets & Stories with Onondaga Artist Ronni-Leigh Goeman

Join us at Betts Branch Library for a special afternoon with acclaimed Onondaga basket maker Ronni-Leigh Goeman!

Ronni-Leigh's extraordinary basketry has been featured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and exhibited at the New York State Museum. Her work, created in collaboration with Seneca artist Stonehorse Goeman, is also represented in Colgate University's museum collections.

Working with black ash, sweetgrass, and other natural materials, Ronni-Leigh brings together traditional Haudenosaunee basket-making techniques, contemporary artistry, and storytelling.

Come hear the stories behind her remarkable baskets and learn about the materials, creative process, and cultural traditions that inspire her work.

📅 Sunday, November 8
🕑 2–3 PM
📍 Betts Branch Library

Free and open to the public. We hope you'll join us for this special opportunity to meet Ronni-Leigh and experience her artistry firsthand!

10/17/2026

This Wednesday in place of Movers & Groovers, Betts will have a visit from therapy dog Harper :)

10/16/2026

It seems like only yesterday Hinata had reached 100 Books Before Kindergarten, but here she is with another reading milestone! We love families who love books!

10/15/2026

THIS SATURDAY!! October 17, from 2-4 PM. Come find your Halloween Costume at Betts Library! We are hosting our annual Halloween Costume Closet, and kids and teens are encouraged to come pick out a costume! We'll also have a fun photo booth, scavenger hunt, and GLITTER tattoos!!

10/12/2026

So much fun this afternoon with kids mini pumpkin painting! What a joy to see all the creativity on display!

10/08/2026

October Art Exhibit at Betts Branch Library! 🎨

We're pleased to feature the artwork of Ute Oestreicher throughout the month of October.

Working in watercolor and acrylics, Ute captures the beauty of the natural world, from colorful garden flowers to peaceful waterscapes and woodland streams.

Here are just a few examples of the works currently on display.

You're invited to meet the artist!

Please join us for a reception with Ute on Wednesday, October 21, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Betts Branch Library.

Stop by, enjoy the artwork, and meet the artist. We hope to see you there!

10/08/2026

ALERT: Tomorrow (Friday, October 9th) Liverpool Public Library will be closed for a staff development day.

10/08/2026

We have yet another new specialty trading card that has been released to the public. If you are going to catch a show at the Redhouse, stop by our pop-up library and look for a book to check out.

While you are there, feel free to take a Redhouse trading card. We also added a slew of new books for you to borrow that coincide with the performances of Babelfest, going on from October 8th-11th.

10/08/2026

ALERT: The internet and phones are down at Paine Branch Library. We will update you when they are back in operation. You can still visit the library to hang out, say 'hi' to staff, check out books and more 😁 .

The library is open but our Internet and phones are currently down. Because of this outage our patron computers, printing, copying, faxing and WIFI services are also not available at this time. You can check items out if you have your library card. Thank you for your understanding!

10/08/2026

There's no school this Monday. What to do with the kiddos? How about some mini pumpkin painting at Betts? Pre-register your child at this link: https://onlib-central.libcal.com/event/17559740

10/07/2026

Betts children's librarian Ms. Margaret had the honor of attending the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) conference in Buffalo this past weekend and ended her time there on a cheeky note! Seen here getting a book signed by the author of the fantastically fun and informative Butt or Face, Ms Margaret also attended a ton of inspiring and enlightening youth services workshops :)

10/07/2026

In recognition of Banned Books week, check out another inspiring display from Evan Milholland at Soule Branch.

10/07/2026

The penultimate Downtown Farmer's Market yesterday with Desteny and Jessica. We broke out the Banned Books Buttons for the event.

Next Tuesday is the last market day for 2026. We have had a great season at Clinton Square. Hope to see you out there on the 13th, to catch us and "The King", who will be provided that end of the season entertainment.

10/06/2026

🍂🎃 October is packed at Betts Library!

Our October newsletter is here, and there’s plenty happening all month long for kids, adults, families, artists, readers, makers, and more.

🎨 Meet local artist Ute Oestreicher at her October art reception
📚 Join our Community Book Group
🧵 Learn the basics at our Sewing Group
📖 Hear local author Jim Farfaglia share stories of Central New York’s muck farms
🎃 Plus storytimes, Movers & Groovers, knitting, gaming, Halloween activities, a therapy dog visit, and lots more!

Take a look at the October calendar and newsletter below, mark your favorites, and come spend some time with us this fall. 🍁

📍 Betts Library | 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse
☎️ 315-435-1940

We hope to see you at Betts this October!

10/05/2026

If you did not get a chance to see our More Than Just Books segment on CNY Central over the weekend, we have the link right here.

We chatted up about the Costume Closet, going on at three city branches, showed off some pics of the Elbridge Free Library Pumpkin Walk on the 17th of October. OCPL also created a landing page of spooky (and not so spooky) events going on at over 20 different libraries in the county. Everything from a costume dog parade to Halloween parties. There is something for every ghost.

Libraries across Onondaga County are getting ready for Halloween with a lineup of free events aimed at families.One program, called the Costume Closet, gives fa

10/05/2026

OCPL Spotted: Sara Jo & Yona spent the day at the Syracuse Parks & Recreation Mile Marketplace, where we signed up 10 peeps for library cards and had our very own library mascot at the event! Great conversation, fall-themed buttons, and an overall beautiful day. 🦊 If you didn't catch a fox this weekend...come see us at the Tuesday Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market, from 8:30 a.m. until 2-ish.

10/05/2026

Let Central Library staff help you with your job search! Anyone can register or walk in for one-on-one assistance with resumes, filling out job apps, email setup, LinkedIn, using the internet, interview coaching, and more. Every Friday, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

10/03/2026

If you're collecting OCPL Passport cards, a new special collector card is running wild at TWO events this weekend. Will you catch it today? 🦊 If you don't have your Passport yet, stop by any public library to get started.

10/02/2026

Today, Betts Branch Library - Onondaga County Public Libraries had a one-of-a-kind visit from 3-year-old Freya and their Mom. is on a mission to visit 500 libraries, and today we were number 398! Thank you for making Betts a stop on your incredible journey, Freya!

10/02/2026

Good morning, book lovers! ❤ Beauchamp Branch Library is accepting new and gently-used book donations for readers of all ages to support its upcoming October 24th book sale. You can drop off books at Beauchamp during library hours. All proceeds go towards providing programs & activities for patrons. For more info, call Beauchamp at 315-435-3395.