Tompkins County Public Library

Monday, December 20, 2010

LIBRARY TO OFFER REMOTE ACCESS, ENHANCED BORROWING PRIVILEGES FOR HOLIDAYS

A marriage between new technology and old fashioned customer service will ensure that Tompkins County Public Library patrons have access to their favorite books, music, DVDs, and online resources this holiday season.

Library Director Susan Currie announced Monday that the Library will double borrowing limits on books, CDs, DVDs and audio books between December 18 and December 22, and that no items will be scheduled for return between Christmas and New Year’s.

"TCPL is so fortunate to have patrons who not only use and support the Library, but truly rely on it," Currie said. "That's why we want to make sure that we are meeting their needs even when we are closed."

Currie also stressed that patrons will be able to take advantage of the Library’s many online educational and entertainment resources, including the Alexander Street collection of recorded musical and theatrical performances, OverDrive, free music and video download service and Tumble Books for children, by logging on to the Library's website at http://tcpl.org/--choose the “Virtual Library” link to see a complete list of resources available.

TCPL is scheduled to be closed Thursday, December 23 through Monday, December 27. It will re-open Tuesday, December 28 through Wednesday, December 29 before closing again December 30. Following a 1:00 PM opening on Monday, January 3, the Library will resume its normal hours. Sunday hours will return for the season on January 9.

The extended closure will allow the well-used, ten-year-old Library to receive a thorough cleaning of floors and carpets, which is usually difficult to arrange since the Library is open six or seven days each week.

The Library's drop boxes will be open throughout the entire holiday season.

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

Saturday, December 18, 2010

LIBRARY TO OFFER FAMILY SCIENCE PROGRAM

The Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell’s Center for Materials Research will explore density Saturday, December 18 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room as part of their monthly Families Learning Science Together Program.

Participants will investigate, through hands-on activities, what causes things to float or sink in water and other liquids. Families will also build their own submarines and explore how they dive.

This program is designed to help families develop a lifelong love of science and learning. It is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is recommended. To register, contact Kevin at outreach@ccmr.cornell.edu or call (607) 254-8256.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

LIBRARY TO HOST TECHNOLOGY “PETTING ZOOS”

Due to the popularity of previous sessions, the Tompkins County Public Library will offer two additional Technology “Petting Zoos,” Wednesday, December 15 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM and Tuesday, December 21 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Avenue of the Friends.

“Petting Zoos” allow patrons to try out and compare the Barnes and Noble Nook and Amazon Kindle, the Apple iPad and “100 Classic Books” for the Nintendo DSI. Librarians will also be on-hand to expertly demonstrate the devices and answer questions.

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

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Library to Host Puppet Show at Family Storytime

Popular stories will be brought to life Saturday as the Tompkins County Public Library’s Youth Services staff host a fun-filled puppet show during the Library’s regularly-scheduled Family Storytime, December 11 from 11:30 AM to Noon.

Families will enjoy puppet performances of the funny, multicultural story “Barking Mouse” and the classic winter tale “The Mitten.” Puppet performances at the Library have been made possible by the Bradford Youth Programming Endowed Fund, which made the purchase of a portable puppet theatre possible and by the Brown Family (David, Tori, Kai and Ella), who donated delighted the delightful and lovingly-crafted puppets of former Henry St. John Librarian Barbara Brown.

This program is free and open to families with children of all ages. It will be held in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

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

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Support Tompkins County Public Library at the 2010 Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair

Tompkins County Public Library Foundation is participating in this year’s Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair on Saturday, December 4.

The Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair offers an opportunity to give charitable donations as holiday gifts for friends and relatives. The Fair will be held from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday, December 4, at the First Presbyterian Church, 315 North Cayuga Street and the First Baptist Church, 309 N. Cayuga St. More than 60 organizations will be represented and each gift you buy comes with a free greeting card and an insert about the organization you are supporting. All of the money collected at the Fair goes directly to the participating organizations. The Library Foundation’s display will be located in the First Presbyterian Church, booth # 3.

The gifts the Library Foundation are offering this year are: purchasing a book for the children’s and teen collection, $10; adding a book to the adult fiction and non-fiction collection, $25; supporting storytime for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, $50; underwriting free year-round arts and cultural programming, $75; and helping the library inspire and educate, being the place where people come for the joy of reading, information and community connections, for any amount.

We hope to see you at the Fair. It’s a wonderful way to learn about our community, share holiday cheer with others, support the Tompkins County Public Library, and give meaningful gifts that have less impact on the environment.

If you are unable to attend in person, gifts will be available online after the Fair through the website http://www.ithacaaltgiftfair.org/