Tompkins County Public Library

Monday, June 28, 2010

LIBRARY TO OFFER PRIZES FOR SUMMER READING

Students in kindergarten through grade five who participate in the Tompkins County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program 2010 will be eligible to win gift certificates from several local retailers.

The Library’s Summer Reading Program, Make A Splash, Read!, kicked-off Saturday, June 26. To participate, students should register by visiting the Library’s Youth Services Department or online at tcpl.org/kids/programs-summer-register.php.

Children who read six books throughout the summer will receive a certificate and book prize and be entered to win gift certificates from Alphabet Soup, Cat’s Pajamas, Purity Ice Cream, Target and more.

For more information, or for a list of programs being held in celebration of Summer Reading 2010, visit tcpl.org/kids/programs-summer.php.

The 2010 Summer Reading Program has been made possible by the Helen Thomas Howland Foundation as administered by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County and M&T Bank.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

LIBRARY TO HOST PUPPET COMPANY

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to kick-off the Tompkins County Public Library’s 2010 Summer Reading Program with a performance by the Robert Rogers Puppet Company, Saturday, June 26 at 2:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Children will be wowed by this fun-filled presentation of “Rainbow Fish in the Deep Blue Sea,” created specifically for this year’s summer reading theme, Make a Splash, Read!

The 2010 Summer Reading Program is made possible by the Howland Foundation and M&T Bank.

For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275 or 276.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

LIBRARY TO HOST PROGRAM ON CROWS

The Tompkins County Public Library will host Kevin J. McGowan for ”That’s Crow Biz,” a fascinating discussion about crows, Thursday, June 24 at 6:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

McGowan, instructor and coordinator for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s home study course in bird biology and new online short-course, “Courtship and Rivalry in Birds,” will discuss a side of crows that few people are aware of---their social lives.

“Frequently admired or hated, the American Crow is one bird everyone knows. But few people are aware of the soap-opera complexity of their social behavior,” McGowan, who has spent more than 25 years studying these birds, said.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

LIBRARY ANNOUNCES NEW FORMAT

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the addition of audiobooks on MP3 CDs to its collection.

This new format will allow patrons to enjoy entire books by their favorite authors on one CD, replacing the traditional audiobook, which on average required eight CDs. This will save Librarians processing time and shelf space and will eliminate the need for patrons to change CDs while driving or fumble through multiple CDs to find the next disc.

MP3 CDs require special hardware, but home computers with CD/DVD drives are set to accept these files, as are most newer home and automobile CD/DVD players.

TCPL already has several new titles available in this format, including: “Dead in the Family” by Charlaine Harris, “Solar” by Ian McEwan, “Double Comfort Safari Club” by Alexander McCall Smith and “The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake. Many beloved classics are also available, among them: “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, “White Fang” and the “Call of the Wild” by Jack London and “Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman.

For more information about this format or any of the titles mentioned, visit or call the Library’s Reference Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 259.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

LIBRARY TO OFFER TEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Tompkins County Public Library invites students in grades 6 through 12 to participate in the 2010 Summer Reading Program.

Students from across New York State will participate in this year’s program, Make Waves @ Your Library. Participants who read books and submit book reviews between June 26 and August 31 will earn prizes and be eligible to win gift certificates to local retailers including: Urban Outfitters, Eastern Mountain Sports, Best Buy, Buffalo Street Books, Barnes & Noble, Regal Cinemas, Itunes, Purity Ice Cream, and Collegetown Bagels.

The first book review will serve as registration and can be submitted online at http://tcpl.org/teens/write-it-imo.php or in person at the Library’s Youth Services Department. After three reviews, participants will receive a free book. Each book review will also serve as a raffle ticket to win larger prizes. The more books read and reviews submitted, the more chances participants will have to win.

The 2010 Summer Reading Program is made possible by the Helen Thomas Howland Foundation as administered by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County Foundation and M&T Bank.

For more information, visit http://tcpl.org/teens/summer.php or contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275 or 276.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

LIBRARY ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Tompkins County Legislature has voted to approve the appointment of two new members to the Tompkins County Public Library’s Board of Trustees.

Board President Henrik N. Dullea announced the unanimous appointment of Aloja Airewele and Peter McCracken to the Library’s 15-member board. Airewele and McCracken will replace Rochelle Proujansky, whose term expired at the end of 2009, and Richard Driscoll, who stepped down earlier this year after being elected Supervisor of the Town of Newfield.

Airewele, of Freeville, is a legislative assistant for Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and supervisor for the Tompkins County Chapter of the American Red Cross’ Homeless Services Program. Airewele served as a family physician in his native Nigeria and as a founder and pastor of the New Covenant Church in Edmonton, London, before moving to the United States with his family in 1997. He is a recognized speaker at several area churches and has spoken at Cornell and Harvard Universities.

“The Tompkins County Public Library has been a wonderful resource for my family,” Airewele said. “It has enriched us so much, and I would like to contribute to its growth.”

McCracken, of Trumansburg, has masters degrees in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and in maritime history from East Carolina University. He is the co-founder and director of content and business development for ShipIndex.org. He previously served as a reference and instructional librarian and coordinator of reference services for the Odegaard Undergraduate Library at the University of Washington and as a reference librarian with the rank of assistant professor at Joyner Library of East Carolina University.

McCracken cited his knowledge of Libraries and his use of TCPL as motivators for joining the board.

"I'm excited by the opportunity to invest my knowledge and experience in a local organization that I use regularly and care about," McCracken said.

Dullea said Airewele and McCracken will bring invaluable experience and enthusiasm to the board.

"I am delighted to welcome Aloja and Peter to the Library board," Dullea said. "Their impressive resumes and personal connections to TCPL and the community as a whole will serve us well as we look to the future growth and continued success of our Library."

For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

LIBRARY TO HOST FILM, PANEL DISCUSSION

The Tompkins County Public Library, Ithaca Children’s Garden and Cornell Plantations will host a special screening of the award-winning documentary “Where Do the Children Play?,” Wednesday, June 2 at 6:00 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

“Where Do the Children Play?” examines an issue of growing concern among pediatricians, mental health experts, educators, and environmentalists-- more and more children are growing up with little or no opportunity for unstructured play, especially outdoors.

Film originator and Outreach Director Elizabeth Goodenough will also lead a distinguished panel featuring Harriet Becker and Monika Roth, co-founders of the Ithaca Children’s Garden, Nancy Wells, professor of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University, Sonja Skelly, education director for Cornell Plantations, and others in a candid discussion about the importance of spontaneous play.

”Children need free time every day to discover their own abilities, desires, and limitations,” said Goodenough, who also edited the film’s twin companion volumes, ”Where Do the Children Play? : A Study Guide to the Film” and “A Place for Play”. “Open-ended exploration and play in woods, fields, vacant lots, or other semi-wild spaces enhance curiosity and confidence throughout life.”

This screening is free and open to the public. Donations toward the future expansion of the Ithaca Children’s Garden will be accepted but are not required.

For more information about the Library program, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

LIBRARY TO EXHIBIT IHS STUDENT ART

"Visual Culture at Ithaca High School", the annual Ithaca High School Art Show, will open at the Tompkins County Public Library Tuesday, June 1.

The exhibit, which features work in all media by students from ninth through twelfth grades and porfolio work by AP students, is curated by Carol Spence with support from the Ithaca High School art faculty. Works range from simple line drawings and ceramics to more sophisticated work, such as the untitled acrylic on masonite by Zoe Zissovici.

Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb said this show offers the public an opportunity to see the talent of many up and coming artists.

"It is exciting to see the work of so many talented young artists exhibited in one place," Grubb said.

The exhibit will be on display through the month of June.

LIBRARY TO OFFER SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Tompkins County Public Library invites children in kindergarten through grade 5 to register for the 2010 Summer Reading Program.

Students from across New York State will participate in this year’s program, Make A Splash Read! At Your Library. Children who read six books throughout the summer will receive a certificate and book prizes.

To participate, children must register in person by visiting the Library’s Youth Services Department or online at tcpl.org/kids/programs-summer.php on or after June 26 and complete the reading log provided at registration.

In celebration of summer reading, join the Library at the following events:

Saturday, June 26 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM -- Robert Rogers Puppet Company kicks off our summer reading program with a performance of “Rainbow Fish in the Deep Blue Sea” in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Wednesday, July 28 from 6:30 to 7:15 PM -- Moreland the Magician celebrates summer reading with his highly entertaining show that highlights the pleasure of reading and the joy of books.

The 2010 Summer Reading Program is made possible with the support of the Helen Thomas Howland Foundation as administered by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, M&T Bank and a grant from Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds.

For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275 or 276.

LIBRARY SWITCHES TO SUMMER STORYTIME SCHEDULE

From June through October, the Tompkins County Public Library will suspend its regular storytimes in exchange for the weekly Stories in the Park program.

Beginning June 15, the Library will host Stories in the Park from 11:30 to 12:00 PM each Tuesday at the Dewitt Park Farmer’s Market. Appropriate for families with toddler and preschool-aged children, Stories in the Park features great stories, music and family fun shared amidst the wonderful sights and smells of the Farmer’s Market.

The Library’s regular storytimes: Babies, Books and Bounce, Toddler and Family storytimes, will resume in October.

For more information, or a calendar of Library events, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Stories in the Park is made possible by the Brooks Family Foundation through a gift to the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation.