About the Library

Mission

To enrich lives by empowering people, inspiring ideas, and building community.

Vision

Manlius Library aspires to be a welcoming community center of knowledge, discovery, and opportunity
with free and open access to all.

Beliefs

  1. Manlius Library will be a community center providing free and equal access for all. Our facilities and services will be designed with the diverse needs of our entire community in mind.
  2. We will empower people with the tools, services, and resources they need to create opportunities for themselves. We will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and information, facilitating knowledge-sharing throughout our community.
  3. We recognize that stories have the transformative power to changes lives, and that ideas can change the world.
  4. In this rapidly changing world, we are committed to growing and adapting to change. We will support this evolving environment by offering updated services, modern facilities, current technology, and relevant training opportunities for our staff, volunteers, and patrons.
  5. We believe in the importance of respect for oneself, each other, and our mission.

Policies

Accessibility

Manlius Library is committed to fostering an environment that allows our patrons to succeed. Our staff prioritizes providing reasonable and timely access to the information needs of all. We work to ensure that our collection, technologies, and other resources are accessible to all and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please visit this page for more information about accessibility at Manlius Library.

Circulation Policies

Getting a Card

You will need a valid ID as well as proof of your address to get a library card. Stop by the library to fill out an application and pick up your card.

If you are at least 13 years old, you can begin your library card application online. When you register online, you will receive a temporary barcode number that you can use to request materials and access eContent. To receive your permanent library card, visit any branch member of the Onondaga County Public Library system and verify your current address with a picture ID or two other forms of ID. Once you have your permanent card, you can check out items.

If you are under the age of 13 years old, you will need to fill out your application in person at the front desk. A parent or legal guardian must register for a card with a child under the age of 9, and is responsible for any fines incurred on the child’s card.

To replace a lost or worn out library card, simply come into the library and ask for a replacement at the front desk.

A library card from Manlius Library will work at all other Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) member libraries.

Loan Periods

  • 3 weeks for books (including new books with yellow tape), audiobooks, DVD sets of 3 or more discs, and music CDs.
  • 1 week for Rapid Read books (pink tape), DVDs, periodicals, and bakeware
  • 3 days for Fast Flick DVDs (pink tape)
  • Items may be renewed up to two times unless they are Rapid Reads or Fast Flicks, or someone else has a hold on the item.

Fines & Fees

Manlius Library is no longer assessing fines on most items. However, once an item has been overdue for 30 days, it will be considered lost, and the full replacement cost will be charged to your account.

The following are our fine policies for high-value and/or limited inventory items, as well as our policy on lost items:

  • Specialty items (including bakeware, park passes, e-readers, and Wi-Fi kits) have fines assessed on a per-day basis. Please contact our library for more information.
  • Once an item has been overdue for 30 days, you will be charged a replacement fee for the value of each overdue item.
  • After $50 of fines or replacement charges, your account will be sent to collections, which will add a $10 collection agency fee.
  • Library privileges may be suspended after $50 of fines.

Fine policies follow the item, so if you put a hold on another library’s item but check it out at Manlius Library, that item will accrue fines per the owning library’s policies. 

Our Library Services

  • Circulation of books and other materials, including DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks, large print books, periodicals, and bakeware.
  • Reference and research help in person or by calling (315) 682-6400.
  • Programs and events for people of all ages and interests.
  • We can help you set aside enough books for your next book club meeting and make recommendations for titles available.
  • Materials of all public libraries in Onondaga County are available to Manlius Library patrons through the OCPL catalog, and we offer interlibrary loan for many of those titles not found in OCPL libraries.
  • Free online access to hundreds of databases and online resources.
  • Public access computers, including in-house circulating laptops, and free Wi-Fi are available.  Technology help is always available, including drop-in hours and one-on-one appointments for in-depth questions.
  • Meeting rooms, available for community and group meetings.
  • Fax machines, printing and copying are available for public use. Faxes are $1.75 for the first page ($1 for each after).  Prints and copies are $.10 per page for black & white and $.30 for color.  Scanning to email is free.
  • Notary services.  Please call ahead to ensure availability.
  • Test proctoring.  Please call the library or email programs@manliuslibrary.org to set up an appointment.

History

Manlius Library was started in 1915 when a group of citizens led by Presbyterian minister Kenneth Welles formed the Manlius Reading Room. It was housed in the Presbyterian Church and opened with 700 donated books.

A provisional charter was granted on July 1, 1916. At the urging of the state inspector, who disapproved of housing a library in a church, the library was moved to the Russell house on Seneca Street.

In 1941, the new Manlius Municipal building was built on the original site of the Presbyterian Church where the library started 26 years prior. The Library moved into a single room on the first floor.

Manlius Library received an absolute charter in 1961. In 1962, the library became a member of the Onondaga County Public Library System.

When the Village of Manlius bought an elementary school building from the Fayetteville-Manlius School District in 1980, the library, along with the Village offices and various municipal departments, moved into the renovated school building. This facility became the Village Center with 9,000 square feet of space occupied by the library.

Manlius Library was renovated and expanded in 2005-2006, bringing total square footage to 21,000.  The library held its grand re-opening on May 7, 2006. The Bookmark Café opened in September 2006.

Manlius Library serves the village of Manlius throughout Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District and over has 10,000 registered borrowers with active cards. We have the largest Summer Reading Program in the county, with over 1300 students participating every summer. We offer traditional and innovative programming and services to support literacy and learning at every age.

Privacy & Confidentiality Of Library Records

Manlius Library respects the right of privacy of all its patrons regarding the use of the library and its resources.

Library records that are deemed confidential are covered by New York State Law (I CPLR 4509).

These records are related to the circulation of library materials that contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries, and library systems, of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films or records. These records shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed upon the request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order, or where otherwise required by statute.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/4509