Library to Host Mother/Daughter Book Club

Girls in grades five through eight and the special women in their lives are invited to attend Tompkins County Public Library’s monthly Mother/Daughter Book Club.

The Mother/Daughter Book Club will meet once a month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Facilitated by author and educator Emily Rhoads Johnson, the Club provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to learn about themselves and others by discussing literature in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. 

 

Fall meeting dates and titles to be discussed are:

·         October 26—“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio

·         November 23—“Inside Out and Back Again” by Thanhha Lai

·         December 21—“Homecoming” by Cynthia Voigt

 

 

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

 

 

Library to Host Williams and Crispin for Discussion on Suitcase Exhibit

In conjunction with the exhibit “The Lives They Left Behind:  Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic,” Tompkins County Public Library will host Craig Williams and Jon Crispin for a fascinating discussion about the discovery and documentation of the Willard suitcases, October 24 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

On display at TCPL through November 6, “The Lives They Left Behind” is a traveling exhibit featuring photographic and written profiles of patients whose stories were uncovered when their belongings were found in suitcases after the Center’s 1995 closing.  In addition to patient profiles and personal possessions, actual suitcases preserved by the New York State Museum and the Romulus Historical Society will be on display.

Williams, a senior curator for the New York State Museum and former director of Ithaca’s DeWitt Historical Society, discovered more than 400 suitcases in the attic of an abandoned building at the hospital.  He originally planned to return them to their owners or family members of the owners, but instead helped to create an exhibit that has enlightened and educated thousands about the struggles and injustices of the mental health system.

Williams will discuss his discovery of the suitcases and why it is important to preserve them for future generations to view and learn from.

Crispin is a nationally-recognized photographer.  He is currently photographing each of the suitcases found at Willard with the goal of telling the stories of the residents through his photographs while maintaining the integrity of their lives.  To date, Crispin has photographed 80 cases. These photographs can be viewed at http://joncrispin.wordpress.com/tag/Willard-suitcases. Results of the initial documentation are also currently being featured in an exhibit at the Exploratorium in San Francisco called “The Changing Face of What is Normal.”

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

This presentation is made possible through support from the Finger Lakes Independence Center, the DeLuca Fund for Hope and Recovery, NAMI-Finger Lakes and Tompkins County Public Library.

“The Lives They Left Behind” was developed by The Community Consortium and is circulated by the Exhibition Alliance, Inc. of Hamilton, NY.  The Library exhibit is presented by NAMI—Finger Lakes and co-sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County and The History Center in Tompkins County, with support from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Library to Host Civil War Program

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration Commission (TCCWSCC), will host "Freedom on the Move: The Underground Railroad and Big Data," a presentation by Edward E. Baptist, October 21 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

An associate professor in Cornell University’s Department of History, Baptist is a noted scholar and speaker on the enslavement of African Americans in the southern United States.  He teaches courses on the Civil War, slavery, the American South, masculinity, modernity and modernization, the first half of the American survey, and 19th century U.S. History. 

Baptist’s Library presentation will explore the historical importance of runaway slaves, the Freedom on the Move ad project and how citizen historians will change the future.

This program is being presented as part of a five-year partnership between the Library and the TCCWSCC to provide opportunities for community conversation and increased awareness about the Civil War.  It is free and open to the public.

For more information about Library programs, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 248.  For information about the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission, contact Carol Kammen, Tompkins County historian, at ckk6@cornell.edu.

 

Library to Host Inter-Generational Writing Workshop

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Curiosity,” an inter-generational writing workshop featuring endless possibilities, unanswerable questions, and everything in between, October 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Facilitated by local publisher, poet and anthologist Irene “Zee” Zahava, this program will encourage writers to explore and embrace—through lists, poetry and stories—their curiosities.

Zahava has been leading writing circles since 1994.  She is a former bookstore owner, the editor of numerous short story anthologies and haiku journals, the co-publisher of 2 Turtles Press and the owner of Zee’s Writing Studio. 

This program is free and open to participants age 9 and up, but registration is required.  To register, contact Zahava at (607) 273-4675 orzee@twcny.rr.com.

 

TCPL’s inter-generational writing workshops are made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through generous gifts from Carrie Shearer and Suzanne Spitz.

 

Library to Participate in “Big Draw” With All Ages Programming

In celebration of “The Big Draw,” Tompkins County Public Library will offer opportunities for children, teens and adults to express themselves through art October 19.

A program of The Campaign for Drawing, “The Big Draw” encourages people of all abilities to use drawing as a mechanism to see, think and take action.  The Draw is celebrated with programs in 15 countries.

TCPL will launch its Big Draw celebration during Family Storytime at 11 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.  During storytime, young lovers of literature and art will have an opportunity to express—through drawing—what the Library means to them, draw their favorite book or Library space, or recreate a favorite Library memory. 

The fun will continue with a free-draw program for adults and teens, beginning at 1 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room. 

Pieces created during these programs will be added to the Library’s Sesquicentennial Art Exhibit, “Diary of a Library.”

For more information about these programs, contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or Kelly Doolittle at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.  To learn more about “The Big Draw,” visit http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/about/index.aspx.

Library to Host Book Club for Young Adults

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Teens Read,” a monthly book discussion group for middle and high school students, the third Wednesday of each month from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

“Teens Read” participants will discuss books and select future titles.  Some books read by the group will be available for members to keep.

This program is free. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 274.

Library to Participate in Teen Read Week

Tompkins County Public Library encourages teens to “Seek the Unknown” at the Library October 13 through 19 by participating in Teen Read Week.

In celebration of Teen Read Week, TCPL’s teen patrons will have an opportunity to reduce fines on their accounts by reading in the Library.  For every 30 minutes of reading teens are spotted doing in the Library, overdue fees charged to their accounts will be reduced by $1.

Teens are also encouraged to visit the Youth Services Department Reference Desk for book suggestions, reading lists and readers’ advisory services.

To learn more about Teen Read Week or the corresponding fine reduction program, visit the Youth Services Department or call (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Russo and Friends Offer Concert to Benefit Library

The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation, in partnership with Watershed Arts Productions, will present “Common Cause,” a family-friendly jazz concert in support of the Tompkins County Public Library, November 12 at 8 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Ithaca.

“Common Cause” will feature local favorites The East Hill Classic Jazz Band and the Djug Django Band; 100 percent of all ticket sales and donations will support Library programs and services.

A longtime user and supporter of the Library, musician Johnny Russo of The East Hill Classic Jazz Band, conceived of “Common Cause” as a way for the community to celebrate and give back to the Library.

Tickets for “Common Cause” are available for $10 each at http://www.tcplfoundation.org/#!benefit-concert/c1kad, by visiting the Library’s Circulation Desk, or at the event. 

For more information about the concert or Library giving, contact Liz Hudson, assistant director of the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation, at lhudson@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 219.

Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library Book Sale Starts October 12

The Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library's Fall Book Sale will be held on three long weekends: October 12-14, 19-21, and 26-29 at 509 Esty Street in Ithaca's West End. Sale hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first day, noon to 8 p.m. the last day (Bag Day, Oct. 29) and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. all other days. On Wednesday, Oct 23, the sale will be open for two special events: Senior Day, held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for senior citizens aged 60 and older and people with disabilities, and Student Night, from 4 p.m. to 8  p.m., for students aged 16 and older with a valid student ID.

One of the largest Book Sales in the country, the Friends’ Sale, boasts more than 275,000 items, including:  fiction and non-fiction books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, videos, vinyl records, cassettes, games and puzzles, comics and anime, computer software, magazines, maps, sheet music and more.

All items are sorted, easy to find by subject and have been newly- donated since the Spring Sale. Prices decrease daily; however, shoppers are encouraged to visit early for best selection.

Individually priced items can be found in the Collector's Corner, a room within the sale that offers rare, vintage and collectible items.

For more information, or to volunteer, visit www.booksale.org or call (607) 272-2223. Proceeds benefit Tompkins County Public Library and the Finger Lakes Library System.

Library to Host Lego Program

Elementary-aged children can build more than a lifelong love of reading at Tompkins County Public Library this fall!

Children in grades kindergarten through five are invited to attend “Legos in the Library,” a weekly, free-build program, Saturdays, October 5 through December 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

“Legos in the Library” encourages children to use their imaginations or Lego books from the TCPL collection to create their own Lego art!  The Library will provide the Legos, and pieces created will be displayed at the Library for one week.

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

Library to Host Penney for Discussion of Suitcase Exhibit

Tompkins County Public Library, the National Alliance on Mental Illness—Finger Lakes, Finger Lakes Independence Center and the DeLuca Fund for Hope and Recovery will present “The Lives They Left Behind:  Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic,” a discussion and book signing by Darby Penney, October 5 at 1 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Presented in conjunction with the Library’s current exhibit of the same name, Penney’s discussion will provide insight into the mental health system and offer a glimpse into the research she conducted following the discovery of 400 suitcases in the attic of the former Willard Psychiatric Center.

A senior research associate with Advocates for Human Potential Inc., and former director of recipient affairs for the New York State Office of Mental Health, Penney worked with New York State Museum Curator Craig Williams and Psychiatrist Peter Stastny to piece together the life stories of the suitcase owners.  She and Stastny co-authored a book “The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic” (Bellevue Literary Press 2008) about their work on the project.

Penney’s talk is free and open to the public.  Copies of her book will be available for purchase at the event and at TCPL’s Gallery Night Opening Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. October 4.

The exhibit “The Lives They Left Behind. . .” features photographic and written profiles of the patients whose stories were uncovered when their belongings were found in the attic.  Actual suitcases will also be on display, courtesy of the New York State Museum.  The exhibit was developed by The Community Consortium and is circulated by The Exhibition Alliance, Inc., of Hamilton, N.Y.  It is made possible by a gift from Janssen Pharmaceuticals and has been co-sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County and the History Center in Tompkins County. 

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

Library to Host Willard Suitcase Exhibit

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Tompkins County Public Library and National Alliance on Mental Illness-Finger Lakes have announced the September 30 opening of “The Lives They Left Behind:  Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic.”

A humbling and heart-wrenching glimpse into the forgotten lives of residents of Willard Psychiatric Center, “The Lives They Left Behind” is a traveling exhibit featuring photographic and written profiles of patients whose stories were uncovered when their belongings were found in suitcases after the Center’s 1995 closing.  In addition to patient profiles, actual suitcases preserved by the New York State Museum will be on display.

For more than 125 years, Willard Psychiatric Center housed people deemed “unfit” for society--some were homeless, some could not communicate in English, some suffered from depression or other illnesses, most were poor. Thousands of people went to Willard, many to spend the rest of their lives ignored by society, and in many cases, their families.  After Willard closed, Craig Williams, senior history curator at the New York State Museum and one time Director of the History Center in Tompkins County, found more than 400 suitcases that had been left behind when their owners moved on or died. 

The suitcases and their contents were preserved by the New York State Museum, and in 1998, Williams partnered with psychiatrist Peter Stastny and Darby Penney, a Senior Research Associate with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. and former director of recipient affairs for the New York State Office of Mental Health, to piece together the life stories of the suitcase owners. 

Stastny and Penney shared their research in their co-authored book “The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic” (Bellevue Literary Press, 2008), and Williams was instrumental in the development of “Lost Cases, Recovered Lives:  Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic,” an exhibit of the New York State Museum, which featured the suitcases and possessions of 12 Willard patients.

An opening reception for “The Lives They Left Behind” will be held during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night from 5 to 8 p.m., October 4.  Both Penney and Williams will be present.  Penney will return to TCPL at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 5 to talk about her role in developing the exhibit and her work on mental health issues.  Copies of her book will be available for sale and signing on Friday and Saturday.  On October 24 at 6 p.m., Williams will talk about finding the suitcases and the work that was involved following his discovery.  Both talks will be held in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

The traveling exhibit “The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic” was developed by The Community Consortium and is circulated by The Exhibition Alliance, Inc., of Hamilton, N.Y.  It is made possible by a grant from Janssen Pharmaceuticals and has been co-sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County and the History Center in Tompkins County. 

For more information, visit http://tcpl-exhibits.blogspot.com/ or contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Library Presents Exhibit on Censorship, Book Banning

Tompkins County Public Library will host “BANNED!,” a thought provoking exhibit in celebration of Banned Books Week and the freedom to read.

Curated by Suzanne Onodera--who for many years has been interested in bringing artists and writers together to comment in words and images on censorship and book banning-- this exhibit includes illustrated insight from 17 artists, poets, writers and librarians. Viewers are asked to consider what society would be like without freedom of access to information, freedom of ideas and the freedom to read.

Books featured in “BANNED!” range from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, to “Liar” by Justine Larbalestier, “Native Son” by Richard Wright, “I Write What I like” by Steven Biko, and “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl.

“Banned” is the fifth exhibit to be featured in the Library’s series “A Year of Art at TCPL,” and has been made possible with grant support from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County.

An opening reception will be held in conjunction with Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night, 5 to 8 p.m., October 4. The exhibit will be on display through December 19.

For more information, visit http://tcpl-exhibits.blogspot.com/ or contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Baby and Toddler Playtime

Families of babies and toddlers are invited to enjoy free play and socialization at the Tompkins County Public Library’s weekly Baby and Toddler Playtime.

An hour-long, unstructured play and social time for children and adults, Baby and Toddler Playtime offers a warm, child-friendly play space with coloring supplies, books, music and a variety of age-appropriate toys.

Playtime is held each Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., October 4 through December 13 in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room, which features a gorgeous fairytale-themed mural designed to encourage a love of books and imagination.

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

Library to Host ESL Snack and Chat

Students and lifelong learners of English as a Second Language are invited to attend Tompkins County Public Library’s “ESL Snack and Chat Conversation Groups.”

These informal, drop-in sessions will be held each Wednesday from October 2 through November 20 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room--West and offer a relaxed setting for practicing conversation and listening skills. The meetings will help participants discover and access language-learning resources at the Library and in the community and provide a forum for information sharing.

Snack and Chat sessions are free and open to individuals with the desire to improve their English or willing to serve as conversation partners for others. All ages and abilities are welcome!  Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Joyce Wheatley at jwheatley@tcpl.org or Debbie Collier at dcollier@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Storytimes

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the October return of its weekly fall storytimes for babies, toddlers and families.

The following storytimes are free and open to the public and will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room:

Babies, Books, and Bounce Time, Fridays  at 11 a.m.

Caregivers and newborns up to 18-months-old are invited to join Library staff Fridays at 11 a.m. from October 4 through December 13 for music, rhymes, movement and books!

Toddler Storytime, Tuesdays at 11 a.m.:

Caregivers and toddlers will have an opportunity to enjoy stories, songs, and fingerplays each Tuesday at 11 a.m. from October 1 through 10.

Family Storytime, Saturdays at 11 a.m.:

 

From October 5 through December 14, children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to attend Family Storytime each Saturday at 11 a.m. for great books and fantastic family fun!

 

All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.