Tompkins County Public Library

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Library Offers Summer Reading for Young Readers and Teens

Tompkins County Public Library will launch its annual celebration of Summer Reading June 29 with free reading programs for infants, toddlers, elementary students and teens.

Programs being offered for 2013 are:

“READ TO ME!” (ages 0 – 4): “Read to Me!” is designed to recognize 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, featuring ideas on incorporating early literacy activities in their everyday routines, will receive chances to win gift certificates from local merchants. For more information, visit: http://tcpl.org/kids/2012summer/programs-summer-pre-reader.php

Summer Reading Challenge (K through Five) Dig Into Reading”:  Encourages participants entering grades K through five to read every day during the summer months. Children who keep track of the time they spend reading and complete a time-tracking sheet will receive a certificate of participation, book prizes and the chance to win raffle items. For more information, or to register, visit the Library’s Youth Services Department or the Summer Reading website at
http://tcpl.org/kids/programs-summer.php.

“Beneath the Surface” (Tweens and Teens):  Tweens and teens who keep track of the time they spend reading this summer will have a chance to win fabulous prizes. All teens receive a book when they register. For more information on the Teen Summer Reading Program, additional teen programming and great summer reads, visit: http://tcpl.org/teens/programs.php

For more information about any of the programs above, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275 or 276.

TCPL’s 2013 Summer Reading Programming has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with the support from the Harmon Foundation, The Gannett Foundation, The Bradford Youth Endowment fund, the Brodhead Memorial Fund,  and by a grant from Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library, by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Regi Carpenter to Launch Library Summer Reading Program

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Dig-in With Dogs,”  a dog-themed performance by storyteller Regi Carpenter, June 28 at 2 p.m. in TCPL’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Carpenter will spin tales and sing songs about dogs during this free, family-friendly event being held in celebration of the Library’s K through five Summer Reading Challenge:  “Dig Into Reading.”  The program will also include opportunities for young readers to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, complete dog-themed crafts, participate in games, have their faces painted and practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a friendly, non-judgmental dog!  Ice cream will be served.

This program is open to the public; however the featured stories and activities are most suitable for children ages four and up.

TCPL’s 2013 Summer Reading Programming has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with the support from the Harmond Foundation, The Gannett Foundation, The Bradford Youth Endowment fund, and by a grant from Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library, by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Library to Host Discussion on Local Gettysburg War Hero

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration Commission (TCCWSCC), will host a viewing of the Gettysburg segment of the acclaimed Ken Burns documentary “The Civil War,” and a discussion about the 137th New York Infantry, June 27 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Facilitated by George R. Boyer, professor of Economics and Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, this program will explore the role of the 137th Infantry and captain Joseph Gregg of Newfield, in the July 2, 1863 defense of Culp’s Hill.  Gregg, his regimental commander, David Ireland, and brigade commander George Greene are little known heroes of the battle.

Boyer is a descendent of Civil War soldiers and grew up 35 miles from Gettysburg.  He spent much of his childhood visiting the battlefield, where he developed an appreciation for the history of the American Civil War.

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 Launch Teen Summer Reading With Party

Teens are invited to celebrate the end of another school year and the beginning of Summer Reading with Tompkins County Public Library’s “School’s Out for Summer Reading Kickoff Party,” June 26 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This free event is open to all teens and will include games, crafts and refreshments.  Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn more about the Library’s “Beneath the Surface,” Teen Summer Reading Program.

For more information, contact Regina DeMauro-Axel at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauroaxel@tcpl.org.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Library to Offer Family Movie Nights

Families are invited to beat the summer heat and enjoy free family films, popcorn and air conditioning, as Tompkins County Public Library hosts two Family Movie Nights.

Being held in conjunction with “Dig Into Reading,” the Library’s 2013 Summer Reading Program, Family Movie Nights will be held July 17 and August 14 at 6 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. 

For film titles, visit http://tcpl.org/kids/programs-family-film-nights.php.   Movies have been selected with a family audience in mind; however, parents are encouraged to review ratings of each movie prior to allowing their children to attend. The Library will not restrict admittance to films based on age.
 
“Dig Into Reading”  has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from the Harmon Foundation, The Gannett Foundation, The Bradford Youth Endowment Fund and the Brodhead Memorial Fund.
 
For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Library to Host Senior Theatre Troupe

Tompkins County Public Library will host an encore performance by the Senior Citizen Theatre Troupe of Lifelong, June 20 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

An annual Library favorite, the Senior Theatre Troup performance will feature humorous and serious stories from troupe members’ lives.  This year’s stories will relate to the theme “memory.” The Troupe performs simply, with no lights, props or sets. The theatre being performed is developed from themes the actors pick, and the stories they tell are based on their own experiences.

The Troupe is directed and coordinated by Sue Perlgut and features Connie Currier, Carolyn David, Natasha Tall, Carol Santucci, Deirdre Silverman, Mark Silverman and Vi Street. The plays and theatre exercises performed are developed using improvisational theatre techniques, some of which will be demonstrated during the Library performance.


For more information about the Senior Citizen Troupe, contact Lifelong at 607-273-1511 or www.closetohomeproductions.com/seniortheatretroupe.html.

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

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Library to Host Stories in the Park

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the return of its popular “Stories in the Park” program. 

“Stories in the Park” will be held each Tuesday from June 11 through August 27 from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the Dewitt Park Farmers Market. This year, the program will be held in the northeast corner of the park.

Children of all ages are welcome to attend “Stories in the Park;” however, the books and music presented are most appropriate for toddlers and pre-schoolers.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. In the event of rain, very wet, or hot conditions, the program will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

“Stories in the Park” has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through a grant from the Elmira Savings Bank.

For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 273.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Library Hosts Final Event of Hip-Hop Celebration

Tompkins County Public Library’s celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Hip-Hop comes to an end June 7 as Ben Ortiz and DJ Rich Medina present “Collecting Hip-Hop at Cornell” in conjunction with Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night.

This illustrated presentation will offer an introduction to Hip-Hop history and culture, provide an overview of the items included in Cornell University’s Division of Rare and Manuscript’s Hip-Hop Collection and offer a candid explanation of why Hip-Hop is important to Cornell University Library and its influence on American culture.

Ortiz, the assistant curator of Cornell University Library’s Hip-Hop Collection, and Medina, a 1992 Cornell grad will present “Collecting Hip-Hop at Cornell” at 6 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.  TCPL’s acclaimed exhibit, “Top2Bottom”, a collection of photographs by legendary Hip-Hop photographers Tony Conzo and Ernie Paniccioli and Hip-Hop memorabilia on-loan from local collectors, will serve as the backdrop for the presentation. 

The exhibit is accessible from 5 to 8 p.m. on Gallery Night.  Afterhours access to the Library will be through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance, behind TCAT’s Green Street bus shelter.