The referendum for libraries is on the WGCSD budget ballot. Voting takes place Tuesday, May 19, 2026 from 6 AM to 9 PM in the West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby.
Please vote!
2026 WGCSD Tax Levy Proposition
Category: Library Administration
Job opening: Part-Time Library Clerk
Maxwell Memorial Library is hiring for a part-time Library Clerk. The description and requirements are in the file below.
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Burke at director@maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Spring & Summer Hours
Beginning April 1, Maxwell will be on extended Spring/Summer Hours!
We’ll be open till 8 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday hours will remain unchanged: Fridays till 5 PM and Saturdays till 3 PM.
Image credits:
Summer Solstice Sunrise over Stonehenge 2005
By Andrew Dunn, 21 June 2005.
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Geranium Sale
This spring, Maxwell Memorial Library is selling geraniums from Bradtke Greenhouses, located in Weedsport. These iconic signs of summer are available in the following colors:
Red
White
White to Rose
Magenta
Salmon Splash
Plants come in 4.5-inch pots, and can be ordered in any quantity, from singles to dozens.
Orders can be placed March 23 through May 9. Pick-up will be on Saturday, May 16, 9 AM to 12 PM at the Camillus Village Hall, 37 Genesee Street.
Complete the order form available at the library, or submit your order online.
We accept cash, checks payable to Maxwell Memorial Library, and orders placed using PayPal.
All orders must be pre-paid, and there won’t be extra geraniums for purchase the day of pick-up. Unfortunately, we are unable to ship or deliver orders.
Thank you for your support of the library and a local small business!
Pricing
$5/single
$25/half-dozen
$40/dozen
You can mix-and-match colors!
Total cost is based on total number of geraniums.
Staff Training
Maxwell will be closed for part of Wednesday, April 22 while the staff get some training.
We’ll close at 1:30 PM & reopen at 4:30 PM.
Image credits:
Richard C. Tolman and Albert Einstein at Caltech, 1932
By Los Angeles Times
License: CC BY 4.0
Job opening: Part-Time Social Media Library Clerk
Maxwell Memorial Library is hiring for a part-time Social Media Library Clerk. The description and requirements are in the file below and here.
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Burke at director@maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Snow
Maxwell Library will be closed Monday, January 26, due to the storm
Library closed Friday
Due to the snow storm, Maxwell is closed on Friday, January 16.
Martin Luther King Day
Maxwell Memorial Library will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19.
Image credit:
Martin Luther King Jr NYWTS 6 by Dick DeMarsico (New York World-Telegram and Sun staff photographer)
License: Donated to the Public Domain
Maxwell is Closed Today (Tue, 12/30)
Due to the weather, Maxwell Memorial Library is closed today.
Stay warm!
Snow
Maxwell Library is closed today, Thursday, December 11, due to the storm
Tree of Gift Cards Drawing
Enter to win one of three trees filled with gift cards, each valued over $500!
Tickets on sale November 17 through December 13
Drawing on December 15
- 1 ticket for $5
- 5 tickets for $20
Thank You to Our Donors:
Adelita’s Mexican Cocina
Aesthetica Salon Spa
Buffalo Wild Wings
Jennifer Burke
Cam’s Pizzeria
Camillus Nails & Spa
Camillus Winter Sports
Charlee’s Ice Cream
Chocolate Pizza Co.
Country Clipper
Crazy Daisies
Finally Ours Diner
Fish Cove
Freedom of Espresso
Limp Lizard
LongHorn Steakhouse
Luminous Nails & Spa
Mitsuba
The Mixing Bowl
Monarch Jewelers
Oh My Darling & The Fitz
Pies Guys Pub & Grub
Plaza Liquors
Red Robin
Sam Rao Florist
Sixty One Main
SYNPLE
That’s What She Read
Toss & Fire Pizza
Twin Trees Camillus
West Hill Golf Course
Wild Birds Unlimited
Witty Wicks
The Wren’s Den
Purchase Tickets at Maxwell Memorial Library
Thanksgiving
Maxwell Library will be closed from 3 PM on Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28 for Thanksgiving.
Veterans Day
Maxwell Memorial Library will close Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
Image credits:
Unified by Service
By Jeremy D. Carpenter
2025 National Veterans Day Poster Contest Winner
Theme: Service to Our Nation
License: Public Domain in the US as a work of the federal government
Winter Hours Are Coming…
Our winter schedule goes into effect on November 1. We’ll be closing 1 hour earlier (at 7 PM) on Mondays through Thursdays until the end of March.
Our Friday and Saturday hours will remain unchanged.
| Monday – Thursday | 10 AM – 7 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Image credits:
The Melting of Memory
A mashup derived from:
A Melting Snowman
By Sertion, modified by RexxS
License: Donated to the Public Domain via CC0 1.0
ClockFace by AlexBG
License: Donated to the Public Domain
[wpcode id=”5028″]
Maxwell’s Annual Appeal
“Libraries always remind me that there are good things in this world.”
Lauren Ward
October 2025
Dear Supporter of Maxwell Memorial Library,
As we close out an exciting, rewarding year at Maxwell Memorial Library, we want to start with a heartfelt thank you to our patrons. Your belief in Maxwell Memorial Library has allowed us to become more than a building with books – we are your community center. Step through our doors and you might find patrons and visitors attending talks, listening to story time, taking a class, enjoying art exhibits, researching online, warming up or cooling down, working remotely, tutoring students, assembling a jigsaw puzzle, learning about nature, making crafts, experiencing cooking demos, playing Cribbage and Mah Jong, and yes – reading. The list goes on!
In a time of constant change, your support ensures that our collections — both traditional and digital — and services will continue to grow to meet the diverse needs of the community. You make it possible for us to offer these enriching opportunities and services to children, students, seniors and everyone in between. Your generous support during the 2025 Annual Appeal ensures that we can continue this long tradition to keep our collections growing, expand our services and adapt to the future needs of our community for years to come.
Will you consider making a donation today? Your gift is tax-deductible and allows us to continue our important mission. You can give securely online here, use the QR code below (requires PayPal app on a mobile device), or download the letter, complete the form at its bottom, and mail the form with your check. We will add all donors’ names to our appreciation wall in recognition of your generosity. Thank you for being a steadfast supporter of the Maxwell Memorial Library.
Sincerely,
The Maxwell Memorial Library Board of Trustees
Salt City Coffee Fundraiser
Maxwell is selling Salt City Coffee again!
Orders can be placed October 1–November 1. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the library.
Place your order on a paper form that you bring in to the library or on our online form.
- Syracuse Blend – available Whole Bean or Ground
Their signature blend of coffees from Costa Rica, Brazil, and Sumatra.
Notes of praline, smoke, and mildly floral. - Sumatra – Harimau Tiger – available Whole Bean or Ground
Ethically sourced from the Aceh region on Sumatra in Indonesia.
Notes of earthy, toffee and lemongrass. - Decaf – available Whole Bean or Ground
Ethically sourced from the Huila region of Columbia.
Notes of mild, cocoa and malt.
All varieties come in 12-ounce bags and are available as whole bean or ground.
We anticipate coffee will be ready for you to pick-up at the library the week of November 10, but we’ll notify you when it’s ready. Unfortunately, we are unable to ship orders.
Thank you for your support of the library and a Syracuse small business!
Maxwell Closed Thursday, September 11
Maxwell will be closed Thursday, September 11 since the building will be getting a new roof that day.
Labor Day
Labor Day
Maxwell Library will be closed Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1 for Labor Day.
Image credits:
Labor Day 3c 1956 issue U.S. stamp
By The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Designed by Victor S. McCloskey, Jr., using as source material a photograph of a portion of the mural by Lumen M. Winter located in the AFL-CIO building in Washington DC.
License: Public Domain
Independence Day
Maxwell will be closed on Friday, July 4 for Independence Day.
Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull
License: Public domain
Juneteenth
Thursday, June 19
Maxwell Library will be closed for Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19th.
Memorial Day
Maxwell Library will be closed Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day.
OCPL Online Catalog Survey
The Onondaga County Public Library System would like to get feedback on the usability of the online catalog.
You can take their survey by going to the Google Form they have set up or by printing a copy, filling it out, and bringing it in to Maxwell.
2025 WGCSD Tax levy proposal facts and figures
The referendum for libraries is on the WGCSD budget ballot.
Voting takes place Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 6 AM to 9 PM in the West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby.
Please vote!
More information is available online at:
www.maxwellmemoriallibrary.org > About Us > Board of Trustees
Spring & Summer Hours
Beginning April 1, Maxwell will be on extended Spring/Summer Hours!
We’ll be open till 8 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday hours will remain unchanged: Fridays till 5 PM and Saturdays till 3 PM.
Image credits:
Summer Solstice Sunrise over Stonehenge 2005
By Andrew Dunn, 21 June 2005.
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Geranium Sale
This spring, Maxwell Memorial Library is selling geraniums from Bradtke Greenhouses, located in Weedsport. These iconic signs of summer are available in the following colors:
- Red
- White
- White to Rose
- Magenta
- Salmon Splash
Plants come in 4.5-inch pots, and can be ordered in any quantity, from singles to dozens.
Orders can be placed March 24 through May 10. Geraniums will be delivered on May 16, and pick-up will be on Saturday, May 17, 9 AM to 12 PM at the Camillus Village Hall, 37 Genesee Street.
Complete the order form available at the library, or submit your order online.
We accept cash, checks payable to Maxwell Memorial Library, and orders placed using PayPal.
All orders must be pre-paid, and there won’t be extra geraniums for purchase the day of pick-up. Unfortunately, we are unable to ship or deliver orders.
Thank you for your support of the library and a local small business!
Pricing
- $5/single
- $25/half-dozen
- $40/dozen
You can mix-and-match colors!
Total cost is based on total number of geraniums.
Job opening: Part-Time Library Clerk
Maxwell has an opening for a Part-Time Library Clerk. Please refer to the attached job description for full details.
Submit cover letter and resume to Jennifer Burke, Director at director@maxwellmemoriallibrary.org.
Position open until filled.
Presidents’ Day
Maxwell will be closed on Monday, February 17 for Presidents’ Day.
Image credits:
- Abraham Lincoln
By Alexander Gardner
License: Public Domain - George Washington (Williamstown Portrait)
By Gilbert Stuart
License: Public Domain
Maxwell is Closed Today (Thursday, 2/6)
Due to the weather, Maxwell Memorial Library is closed today.
Stay warm!
Late opening: Monday, February 10
Maxwell’s staff will be getting trained on our new computer reservation system on the morning of Monday, February 10, so we will be opening at 1:00 PM on that day.
2024 in review
Maxwell Closed Today
Due to the weather, Maxwell Memorial Library is closed on Thursday, January 9.
Martin Luther King Day
Maxwell Memorial Library will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20.
Image credit:
Martin Luther King Jr NYWTS 6 by Dick DeMarsico (New York World-Telegram and Sun staff photographer)
License: Donated to the Public Domain
Maxwell is Closed Today (Saturday, 1/4)
Due to the weather, Maxwell Memorial Library is closed today.
Stay warm!
New Year’s Day
Maxwell Library will be closed Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1 for New Year’s.
Christmas
Maxwell Library will be closed from Tuesday, December 24 through Thursday, December 26 for Christmas.
Maxwell Closing Early Today
Due to the weather, Maxwell Memorial Library will close at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 5.
Tree of Gift Cards Drawing
Enter to win one of three trees filled with gift cards, each valued over $400!
Tickets on sale November 23 through December 20
Drawing on December 20 at 5 PM
- 1 ticket for $5
- 5 tickets for $20
Thank You to Our Donors:
Adelita’s Mexican Cocina
Aesthetica Salon Spa
Buffalo Wild Wings
Cam’s Pizzeria
Camillus Nails & Spa
Camillus Winter Sports
Charlee’s Ice Cream
Chocolate Pizza Co.
Colorful Inspirations
Country Clipper
Crazy Daisies
Delta Sonic
Finally Ours Diner
Fish Cove
Freedom of Espresso
Heart ‘n Hand
The Inn Between
Limp Lizard
LongHorn Steakhouse
Luminous Nails & Spa
Mitsuba
The Mixing Bowl
Monarch Jewelers
Plaza Liquors
Red Robin
Sam Rao Florist
Sixty One Main
SYNPLE
That’s What She Read
Toss & Fire Pizza
Twin Trees Camillus
Wild Birds Unlimited
Witty Wicks
The Wren’s Den
Purchase Tickets at Maxwell Memorial Library
Maxwell’s Annual Appeal
Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library.
Walter Savage Landor
November 2024
Dear Supporter of Maxwell Memorial Library,
Located in the heart of Camillus, Maxwell Memorial Library has a 106-year history of being a true resource and valuable asset to all residents of the community and beyond. Maxwell is much more than a place to borrow books. It is an ever-growing, evolving treasure trove of opportunities to gather, grow and learn. Although Maxwell is located in a beautiful historic building, inside you will find the latest technology, reference materials and online services. Book clubs, storytimes for emerging readers, specially designed teen activities, informative sessions on a variety of topics and fun programming for all ages are offered to ignite your creativity in new ways. There is always something going on at Maxwell. We invite you to come in and see what we have to offer!
Although we have taxpayer support for our basic operations, many of our engaging programs would not be possible without the additional support from our generous community donors. We fundraise so we can offer enhanced programming, a diverse catalog of both print and digital books, reference materials and many more resources to the community. Our primary goal is to meet the community’s changing needs, and for that, we rely on our generous donors.
Please consider a donation to Maxwell Memorial Library during our Annual Appeal. Your gift is tax deductible and greatly appreciated. Visit http://www.maxwellmemoriallibrary.org to give online securely, use the QR code on the right, or return the form below with your check to the address shown. All donors’ names will be added to our appreciation wall. With your help, Maxwell will continue to impact more lives in our community. Thank you!
Sincerely,
The Maxwell Memorial Library Board of Trustees
Thanksgiving
Maxwell Library will be closed from 3 PM on Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving.
Veterans Day
Maxwell Memorial Library will close Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
Image credits:
2024 National Veterans Day Poster Contest Winner
Theme: A Legacy of Loyalty and Service
By Myisha Godette
License: Public Domain in the US as a work of the federal government
Winter Hours
Our winter schedule goes into effect on November 1. We’ll be closing 1 hour earlier (at 7 PM) on Mondays through Thursdays until the end of March.
Our Friday and Saturday hours will remain unchanged.
| Monday–Thursday | 10 AM – 7 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Image credits:
The Melting of Memory
A mashup derived from:
A Melting Snowman
By Sertion, modified by RexxS
License: Donated to the Public Domain via CC0 1.0
ClockFace by AlexBG
License: Donated to the Public Domain
[wpcode id=”5028″]
Phone problems
Maxwell’s phones are having some problems.
Please email us at maxwell@maxwellmemoriallibrary.org
Salt City Coffee Fundraiser
Maxwell is selling Salt City Coffee again!
Place your order on a paper form that you bring in to the library or on our online form. Orders can be placed from October 1 through 31 November 2. Choose from:
- Syracuse Blend (their signature medium roast)
- Dark Arts (their in-house espresso blend)
- Decaf
All varieties come in 12-ounce bags and are available as whole bean or ground (note: grind size for Dark Arts will be medium). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the library. We accept cash, checks payable to: “Maxwell Memorial Library,” or payments via PayPal.
We anticipate coffee will be ready for you to pick-up at the library the week of November 11, but we’ll notify you when it’s ready. Unfortunately, we are unable to ship orders.
Thank you for your support of the library and a Syracuse small business!
Maxwell Is Accepting Book Donations!
Maxwell Library in Camillus is once again accepting book donations!
Bring your new or gently used books to the front desk!
- One box or bag per visit
- We are currently saturated with DVDs, so we are asking patrons to find other places to donate them for now
- No textbooks, reference books, or Reader’s Digest Condensed Books
Please don’t include any mildewy or moldy items. As book lovers, we understand the reluctance to destroy any book, whatever its condition, but mold and mildew spread and can destroy an entire collection. Unfortunately, they also render the paper unacceptable for recycling, so the only option is destruction of the item.
If you have questions, contact us or visit our Materials Donation Policy page.
Labor Day
Labor Day
Maxwell Library will be closed Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2 for Labor Day.
Image credits:
Labor Day 3c 1956 issue U.S. stamp
By The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Designed by Victor S. McCloskey, Jr., using as source material a photograph of a portion of the mural by Lumen M. Winter located in the AFL-CIO building in Washington DC.
License: Public Domain
Maxwell’s New Events Calendar
If you have bookmarked our events calendar, you’ll want to update your bookmark. The new URL is
Jenny and Rena have put many hours into moving events over to the new calendar and into getting its settings such that the transition is as smooth for Maxwell’s patrons as possible.
Pete has made some changes to the Website’s pages for Adult Events and for Kids & Teens Events so that they now draw the information for upcoming events directly from the calendar.
As with any change, there may be bugs that we need to address, so let us know if something doesn’t work for you as it should.
Closing early
Due to the weather, Maxwell will close at 3 PM on Wednesday, July 10.
Bottle and Can Drive
Saturday, July 13
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Today’s the day to get rid of all those empties from your early summer celebrations! Bring your beverage bottles and cans to Maxwell’s parking lot on Saturday, July 13, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The Bottle and Can Retrieval Center will have a big trailer parked at the library, ready to haul them away for recycling. The proceeds will support Maxwell Memorial Library.
Can’t make it today? The Library has an account set up at the Fairmount bottle return center, so you can drop your empties off year-round and have them earmarked for Maxwell.
Thank you for your support!
Independence Day
Maxwell will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day.
Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull
License: Public domain