Tompkins County Public Library

Thursday, March 31, 2011

LIBRARY TO HOST ARTIST RECEPTION/DISCUSSION

Tompkins County Public Library will host Nancy Ridenour for a discussion and reception recognizing her exhibit, “Photo Montages,” Thursday, March 31 at 6:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

The first exhibit in the Library’s 2011 “Art Behind the Scientist” series, “Photo Montages” explores the intersection of Ridenour’s 32-year career as a biology teacher and her fascination with digital photography.

During the reception, Ridenour will discuss how the scientific principles she mastered during her years of teaching influence her art work.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

LIBRARY, FOUNDATION TO LAUNCH AUTHOR SERIES WITH STEWART O’NAN

Bestselling author Stewart O’Nan will kick-off a year-long celebration of local writers at the Tompkins County Public Library with a discussion and signing of his newly-released novel, “Emily, Alone,” Wednesday, March 30 at 6:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

A Distinguished Visiting Writer at Cornell University, O’Nan is the author of 12 novels, several plays and two non-fiction books--including the 2005 bestseller “Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season.” A 1992 graduate of Cornell’s M.F.A. program in fiction, O’Nan is one of the Creative Writing Department’s most commercially-successful writers.

His latest effort is a sequel to his critically acclaimed 2003 novel, “Wish You Were Here,” and follows Maxwell family matriarch, Emily, as she candidly reflects, through a series of holidays, on her old age, the loss of friends and acquaintances and her undependable family.

O’Nan will read from and sign copies of “Emily, Alone” during this free Library program. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event, with proceeds going to the Tompkins County Library Foundation in support of Library programs and services.

This program is the first in a series of local author events being sponsored by the Library and the Library Foundation. Other authors expected to participate in the series are: Cara Hoffman, Paul McEuen, Eleanor Henderson and Tea Obreht.

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

Sunday, March 27, 2011

LIBRARY TO HOST POETS

The Tompkins County Public Library and SOON Productions will present an afternoon of poetry, featuring readings by Michele Glazer and Benjamin Garcia, Sunday, March 27 at 3:00 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

The author of three poetry collections, Glazer serves as director of the creative writing and English program at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Glazer has been widely-published in periodicals including: Volt, Harvard Review, Field, Ploughshares, Poetry Northwest, Colorado Review and College English, and her work “It Is Hard to Look at What We Came to Think We’d Come to See,” received the 1996 AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) Award in Poetry.

A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Benjamin Garcia is currently enrolled in the MFA program at Cornell University. Garcia has received scholarships from the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference and the Taos Summer Writer’s Conference and his work is expected to be published in the Spring/Summer issue of Poet Lore.

This program is free and open to the public and was made possible with support from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

LIBRARY TO HOST PROGRAM ON NATURAL MEDICINE

The Tompkins County Public Library will host Pat O’Brien, author and practitioner of Ayurvedic and Chinese natural medicine for a free discussion on making natural medicine work, Thursday, March 24 at 6:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

O’Brien will draw on her 13 years of experience as she discusses her book “Natural Medicine:  What You Need to Know to Make it Work for You,” and shares the myths of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and common mistakes people make when self-medicating with herbs and supplements.

A Long Island native, O’Brien studied Ayurvedic medicine at the Bayville Ayurveda Holistic Center and the American Institute of Vedic Studies. She studied Chinese medicine and Chinese herbology through the Institute for Chinese Herbology and the Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies. She also studied with world-renowned practitioner Herman Aihara and was certified professionally in macrobiotics at the Vega Institute in California. She is board certified with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and professionally certified with the American Herbalist Guild.

O’Brien recently opened a practice in Ithaca www.realnaturalmedicine.com.

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

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Library to Host Intergenerational Creative Writing Workshop

The Tompkins County Public Library will host “Words Flying Off the Page,” a two-session, creative writing workshop led by Irene Zahava, Sunday, March 20 and Sunday, March 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This workshop series offers an opportunity for children 10 and up, teens and adults to write together and share their work in a supportive environment.

There is no charge for the workshop, but advance registration is greatly appreciated. To register, or for more information, contact Zahava at (607) 273-4675 or zee@twcny.rr.com.

Irene (Zee) Zahava is the director of Emma’s Writing Center, where she has been leading Writing Circles for children and adults since 1994. She is the Outreach Librarian for the Durland Alternatives Library and the publisher of 2Turtles Press.

This workshop is made possible by gifts from Carrie Shearer and Suzanne Spitz to the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

LIBRARY TO HOST FAMILY SCIENCE PROGRAM

Explore the science of bridge building Saturday, March 19 at 1:00 PM, as the Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell University’s Center for Materials Research host Families Learning Science Together.

Held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room, Families Learning Science Together provides families with an opportunity to share a love of science and learning through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

During March’s program, participants will learn about structural engineering and what engineers have to consider when designing bridges. They will see how stresses are concentrated in materials and then try to build a drinking straw bridge to certain specifications.

Families Learning Science Together is free and open to the public; however, space is limited. To register, contact Kevin at outreach@ccmr.cornell.edu or call 254-8256.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

LIBRARY SEEKS TEENS FOR MURAL PAINTING

Creative teens are invited to join artist Mary Beth Ihnken for an exciting opportunity to design and complete a mural in the Tompkins County Public Library's Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Participants will help Ihnken select characters and creatures from well-loved children's books, folk and fairy tales to be featured in the mural. Once the mural is designed, participants will learn how to transfer the design to the Thaler/Howell wall and work with Ihnken on the painting.

Interested teens should attend an idea development session being held in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room on Sunday, March 13 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM.

To register, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

CULTURA! Storyteller Series Returns to Library

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the return of the popular CULTURA! Storyteller Series.

A program of the Library, the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, The Latin American and Latino Studies programs at Cornell University and Senoritas Latinas Unidas, Inc., CULTURA! is directed by Carolina Osorio Gill and features guest storytellers who offer historic, folkloric or personal stories about a particular Latin American country.

CULTURA! program dates and featured countries are:

  • Saturday, March 12 - Dominican Republic
  • Saturday, March 26 - Argentina 
  • Saturday, April 2 - Mexico
  • Saturday, April 9 - Brazil
  • Saturday, April 23 - Puerto Rico 
All storytelling sessions are free and open to the public and include a corresponding craft. CULTURA! programs will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 PM in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

The storytelling series is only one component of the CULTURA! program, which is designed to promote Latino and Latin American culture through easily-accessible, free and low-cost, arts-based educational experiences.

For more information about CULTURA!, contact Carolina Osorio Gil at carolina.osorio@gmail.com or (607) 227-2334.

This program is funded in part by the Faculty Fellows-In-Service Program affiliated with the Cornell Public Service Center.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

LIBRARY TO HOST PAULA POUNDSTONE MEET AND GREET

The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation will offer a unique opportunity for Paula Poundstone fans to meet and interact with the Emmy-award winning comedienne Thursday, March 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Ezra Cornell Reading Room.

Poundstone's Library visit will precede her 8:00 PM performance at the Historic State Theatre, which is being presented by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library in partnership with Dan Smalls Presents.

An avid reader and library activist, Poundstone has served as spokesperson for the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) of the American Library Association.

The Library meet and greet is free and open to the public. Tickets for the State Theatre performance are available by calling the Theatre box office at (800) 919-6272 or online at http://www.stateofithaca.com/. Copies of Poundstone's book and CD will be available for purchase at both events.

For more information, contact Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 248.

Monday, March 7, 2011

LIBRARY ANNOUNCES GRAPHIC DESIGN EXHIBIT

The Tompkins County Public Library has announced the opening of a new exhibit celebrating locally-produced, contemporary graphic design.

“Art 4 Commerce: An Exhibit of Communication Design,” will be on display at the Library from March 7 through May 26. Curated by Stefanie Green and Steve Carver, the exhibit showcases the advertising designs of many of the area’s most recognized graphic artists.

The exhibit includes pieces commissioned by local, regional and national clients for a variety of print and virtual media outlets and features work from a diverse group of designers-- from those whose careers began in the 1970s when the craft of graphic design involved only a pencil and drawing board--- to the new generation of graphic artists who are skilled in the use of cutting-edge tools and technology.

An opening reception will be held in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 17. A panel discussion featuring many of the exhibited artists will start at 6:00 PM.

For more information, contact Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

LIBRARY TO SCREEN HOSPICE DOCUMENTARY

The Tompkins County Public Library will host a special screening of “Beets and Beans: Living and Dying with Hospice,” Thursday, March 3 at 6:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Produced by Ithaca filmmaker Sue Perlgut, “Beets and Beans. . .” explores common end-of-life questions and attempts to dispel myths about what it means to work with a hospice provider. The 30-minute film includes a diverse, all-ages cast and was filmed in private homes and hospice facilities in Ithaca and Seattle.

Scenes from Tompkins County Historian Carol Kammen’s original play, “Peaches and Bird,” are also included on the “Beets and Beans” DVD and will be shown at the Library screening.

This event is free and open to the public. It will also include an opportunity for audience members to interact with the filmmakers and Hospicare staff.

For more information about the event, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org. To learn more about “Beets and Beans . . .,” contact Perlgut at sue@CloseToHomeProductions.com.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

LIBRARY SEEKS TEENS FOR MURAL PAINTING


Creative teens are invited to join artist Mary Beth Ihnken for an exciting opportunity to design and complete a mural in the Tompkins County Public Library's Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Participants will help Ihnken select characters and creatures from well-loved children's books, folk and fairy tales to be featured in the mural.  Once the mural is designed, participants will learn how to transfer the design to the Thaler/Howell wall and work with Ihnken on the painting.

Interested teens should attend one or both of the idea development sessions being held in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room on Wednesday, March 2 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM and Sunday, March 6 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM.

To register, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275 or visit tcpl.org.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

PLANNED PARENTHOOD PARTNERS WITH LIBRARY TO PROMOTE ACCESS DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH


Planned Parenthood and the Tompkins County Public Library have partnered in recognition of Women’s History Month to provide Library patrons with access to the wealth of information found in bestselling author Michelle Goldberg’s book “The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World.”

As part of their investment in informed and respected community conversations about women’s rights, Planned Parenthood generously donated 35 copies of the book to the Library. The copies will be prominently displayed near the Library’s New Release section throughout the month of March.

Goldberg’s book examines the global battle over women’s reproductive rights, pitting reformers against fundamentalists and exploring the effects of the divisive fight on the quest for individual freedom and worldwide development.

“'The Means of Reproduction' could not be more timely," said Casey Martinson, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes. "It is appropriate during Women's History Month that we reflect not only on the history of women's liberation, but on its future. Planned Parenthood is working tirelessly to advance women's rights, and we hope this book inspires members of our community to join us in that advocacy."

For more information, contact Sarah Glogowski at sglogowski@tcpl.org or Martinson at casey.martinson@ppsfl.org.