Tompkins County Public Library

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Rochon to Serve as Featured Speaker At Foundation, Freedom to Read Kick Off

The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation will launch its 2011 Annual Appeal Sunday, September 25 with “One Life, Many Chapters: Books that Influence and Inspire,” a community conversation featuring Ithaca College President Tom Rochon; his wife, Amber, and author Leslie Daniels.

“One Life, Many Chapters” kicks off at 1:00 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room with a spirited talk from the Rochons, who are serving as this year’s honorary Appeal chairs, about the books that have had a lasting impact on their lives followed by an opportunity for audience participation facilitated by author Leslie Daniels.

“I encourage people to talk about books that have been meaningful at different points in their lives. What was the first book that made you a reader? What was a book that made you feel understood, or gave you a completely new perspective?,” said Daniels, whose debut novel “Cleaning Nabokov’s House,” has received rave reviews. Guests will also have the opportunity to share their stories of inspirational books in writing prior to and during the event.

Suzanne Smith Jablonski, executive director of the Library Foundation, said the program is a fitting event to launch the Foundation’s Annual Appeal—its largest fundraiser of the year---and Freedom to Read Week.

“Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—is at the core of TCPL’s mission,” Smith Jablonski said. “The Annual Appeal is an opportunity for community members to support the Library’s work to provide free and open access.”

Freedom to Read Week will also be commemorated with a reading on Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 PM by Khet Mar, writer-in-residence at the City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, an organization that provides sanctuary to writers exiled under threat of death, imprisonment, or persecution in their native countries.

Library Director Susan Currie urged Library users, current, past and prospective donors to preserve their freedom to read by contributing to the Annual Appeal at whatever level they are comfortable.

“Private contributions are essential,” Currie said. “TCPL relies on private support for annual operations, such as buying new books and other materials. Particularly this year, when County funding will be reduced considerably -- marking the third consecutive year of public funding cuts – we need appeal contributions to sustain services to children, teens, and adults who absolutely rely on the Library.”

The goal for the 2011 Annual Appeal is $65,000 toward the Foundation’s overall 2011 fundraising goal of $210,000. To give to the Appeal, visit tcpl.org and click “donate now,” mail a contribution to the Foundation c/o of the Library, drop off a check or contact Smith Jablonski at ssmithjablonski@tcpl.org.

The Annual Appeal kick off and the Freedom to Read program are free and open to the public. For more information about either program, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.

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