I’ve made it my mission to visit a different library once a month, and post about it on Friday; hence, the birth of ‘Library Friday.’ Come along with me on this journey!


If you work or study at SU, chances are you’ve probably grabbed a burrito from Alto Cinco, sipped a cup of joe at Recess, or bought a secondhand accessory from Boom Babies. Has anyone done all three in one day!?

Westcott Street has a lot to offer as a neighborhood. The people who frequent the area include artists, activists, fashionistas, and academics, as well as singles, couples, young families, and their dogs.

Last weekend I volunteered at the Petit Branch Library, located on picturesque Victoria Lane, a quaint street off of Westcott. You can’t miss the library – there’s an ocean blue bike rack right out front that spells ‘BOOKS.’ Myself and many locals helped set up a book sale that Petit Branch coordinated for Westcott Community Day.

From the moment I entered the library, I felt a sense of warmth. The adult services librarian, Lisa, immediately greeted me. The friendly children’s librarian, Quinn, gave me directions and guided the folks setting up the book sale.

The library was fairly small, but set up in a way that made it feel super spacious. I saw computers and the bulk of the adult collection on my right, and the colorful children’s collection was straight ahead.

The volunteers I worked with were of all ages, and all were book lovers. One cool thing about being a volunteer that night was getting first dibs on the books for sale!

As I begin my studies in Library and Information Science at SU’s iSchool, I can’t help but wonder what libraries look for when hiring a new librarian. I interviewed Quinn and found out the following fast facts about Petit Branch.

Number of Employees at Petit Branch

There are 8 employees, which includes:

  • 3 full time librarians (the standard for most branches in the city of Syracuse)
  • 2 full time clerks
  • 1 part time clerk
  • 4 part time pages
  • 1 maintenance person

Overall vibe and distinguishing features

The Petit Branch Library is a warm and welcoming public library located on a quiet street. Walk or bike there if you can! In particular, the children’s section really reeled me in. Oh, and they serve coffee to patrons for under a buck!

What Petit Branch looks for when they are hiring

Petit is a part of the Onondaga County Public Library system. They hire librarians who have earned their Master’s of Library Science (MLS degree), have taken the appropriate civil service exam, and possess a New York State Public Librarian Certificate.

Petit appreciates when a potential staffer exhibits good customer service skills, knows how to use computers and social media, enjoys reading, and has a friendly and reliable work ethic.

What you can expect to be asked by patrons

Community members who visit Petit tend to ask questions about how to use the computer, as well as Reader’s Advisory questions.

“The community really likes us. It’s a great feeling to come to work every day and know that we are appreciated.” – Quinn, Children’s Librarian at Petit Branch Library

Do you have a favorite local library in your hometown or city? Have a library in the Syracuse area that we should feature? Let us know in the comments below!