Tompkins County Public Library

Thursday, June 30, 2011

LIBRARY SEEKS COLLECTORS FOR UPCOMING EXHIBIT

The Tompkins County Public Library is looking for collectors of all items and ages to participate in an upcoming exhibit highlighting the 2011 Community Read of E. L. Doctorow’s “Homer and Langley.” 

From bottle caps to fine china, all collections are important to the success of this exhibit.  Hoarders and discriminating collectors alike are invited to submit a digital image of their prized collections, which will be featured on the exhibit page of the Library’s website.  The Library will select the most unusual collections and display samples from them in our exhibit cases during September and October.

For more information about the exhibit or to submit images please email Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org.

LIBRARY SERVICE OFFERS FREE eBOOKS FOR SMARTPHONE USERS

Smartphone users now have access to downloadable eBooks and audiobooks from the Tompkins County Public Library website. 

TCPL cardholders can browse, check out and download hundreds of electronic and audio books right to their phones. Look for a TCPL QR code posted on flyers at the Library and throughout downtown Ithaca, scan the code and download the OverDrive Digital Library application.

For more information, contact Jennifer Schlossberg (607) 272-4557 extension 254, the Reference Desk (607) 272-4556 or jschlossberg@tcpl.org.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

LIBRARY TO REMOVE HOLD CHARGE

In an ongoing effort to promote free and equal access to materials, the Tompkins County Public Library has announced plans to eliminate the collection of fees for placing items on hold.

Effective Friday, July 1, the Library will no longer charge patrons the currently collected fee of 50 cents per transaction to place an item from the Library’s collection or an item requested from one of the Finger Lakes Library System’s 33 member libraries on hold for future pick-up.

Library Director Susan Currie said removing hold fees is in direct response to patron feedback and helps support the Library’s goal of ensuring that people have access to the resources they need regardless of their financial means.

“Eliminating hold fees is just one example of the many ways TCPL is responding to the needs of our patrons,” Currie said. “It is a fundamental responsibility of the Library to make sure that we are providing our patrons with the items and resources they need.”

While patrons will no longer be required to pay for placing a hold, there will be a $1 charge for items that are not picked up within one week.

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

Saturday, June 25, 2011

LIBRARY OFFERS SUMMER READING PROGRAMS

The Tompkins County Public Library will launch Summer Reading 2011 Saturday, June 25 with reading programs for infants, toddlers, elementary students and teens.

This year’s programs are:
  • Pre-Birth through Pre-K Program (0-4 year olds) --this newly developed program recognizes the important role reading plays in early childhood development and encourages parents, parents-to-be and other caregivers to foster a love of reading at an early age. Registrants who complete a Reading Bingo Card will receive a raffle ticket for a gift basket filled with books and other fun, age-appropriate items.
  • One World, Many Stories --a state-sponsored program for elementary-aged readers. This program offers registered readers in grades K through 5 who read six books throughout the summer the opportunity to receive a certificate of participation and book prizes. Participants will also be entered into a raffle to win other exciting 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 25 and complete the reading log provided at registration. 
  • You Are Here, Teen Summer Reading Program -- Tweens and teens are invited to write book reviews and play “You Are Here Bingo” for a chance to win fabulous prizes.
In celebration of the start of summer reading, the Library will host local favorite John Simon, Saturday, June 25 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM for his “Word by Word” interactive music program. This program is free and open to the public and will be held in the BorgWarner Community Room. Attendees will have the opportunity to register for their respective summer reading programs during this event.

The 2011 Summer Reading Program is made possible with the support of the Gannett Foundation, M&T Bank and by 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.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

LIBRARY TO HOST STORIES IN THE PARK

The Tompkins County Public Library has announced the return of the popular Stories in the Park outdoor storytime.

Stories in the Park will be held each Tuesday from June 14 through August 30 from 11:30 to noon at the Dewitt Park Farmer’s Market.

Children and their caregivers are invited to join library staff for stories, music and family fun, and stay for lunch and shopping at the Farmer’s Market.

While children of all ages are welcome, books and activities will be most appropriate for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In the event of rain, the program will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

For more information, contact Kelly Doolittle at (607) 272-4557 extension 273.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Baby Read-Aloud Basics : A Presentation By Noted Family Literacy Author, Caroline Blakemore

The Family Reading Partnership along with the Tompkins County Public Library invites parents, family educators, librarians, childcare providers, and all who are interested in early childhood literacy, to a presentation by author and baby read-aloud expert Caroline Blakemore. The event will be held on Monday, June 13 from 8:30am - 9:30am in the Tompkins County Library, Borg Warner Room.

Caroline will talk about fun and interactive ways to help babies discover the world of words. She has inspired countless parents, grandparents, teachers and family service providers with her simple and effective techniques to establish daily reading routines. Join the conversation and learn more about helping to provide babies with the foundation they need to fall in love with words and stories, and to succeed as life-long learners.

8:00 - 8:30 AM Meet the author and enjoy a light breakfast
Event is free and open to the public
RSVP by June 8 to jean@familyreading.org

Thursday, June 9, 2011

LIBRARY TO HOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESENTATION


The Tompkins County Public Library will host “Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services:  Changing the Face of Affordable Housing,” a presentation by INHS Executive Director Paul Mazzarella, Thursday, June 9 at 6:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Mazzarella will discuss how INHS--through its groundbreaking initiatives-- is building green housing, developing ways to maintain housing affordability, and creating long-term sustainability, not just at the household level but for the benefit of the greater community.

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

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

SINGER/SONGWRITER SIMON TO LAUNCH SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Singer/Songwriter John Simon will help the Tompkins County Public Library kick off its 2011 Summer Reading Program with a fun-filled, free performance Saturday, June 25 at 2:00 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

A local favorite, Simon will perform songs related to this year’s Summer Reading theme—One World, Many Stories.

This program is free and appropriate for children of all ages. For more information about the Library’s 2011 Summer Reading Programs for early readers, grade school students and teens, contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275 or 276.

The 2011 Summer Reading Program is made possible with the support of The Gannett Foundation, M&T Bank, and by a grant from Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds.