Tompkins County Public Library

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Library, Ithaca City of Asylum to Celebrate Freedom to Read

Tompkins County Public Library and Ithaca City of Asylum will present “Voices of Freedom,” featuring Venezuelan political critic and renowned author Israel Centeno, September 29 at 2 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Centeno will read in English from his novel “La Torre Invertida” (translated as “The Tower Overturned”), which is about the unraveling of a city where dystopia becomes its citizens' harsh reality.

Centeno is an author of poetry, short stories, and novels and is regarded as one of the most important Venezuelan literary figures of the past fifty years. He has won numerous awards, including the Federico Garcia Lorca Award in Spain and the National Council of Culture Award in Venezuela in 1991. Born in 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela, he is currently living in the United States as an exile from his native country. Centeno has been the writer-in-residence at the City of Asylum/Pittsburgh since 2011. Displaced under the presidency of Hugo Chavez, he has recently published his tenth book—and first in English--“Bamboo City.” 

As part of the “Voices of Freedom” program, Ithaca City of Asylum’s resident writer, Sonali Samarasinghe, exiled from Sri Lanka and presently an international visiting scholar at Ithaca College, will read a brief excerpt from her memoir-in-progress, and Pablo Cohen, head of the classical guitar program and a faculty member in the Latin American Studies program at Ithaca College, will perform regional music.

“Voices of Freedom” is an annual event of Ithaca City of Asylum (ICOA) and is presented this year in partnership with the Tompkins County Public Library as part of Banned Books/Freedom to Read Week. This event is made possible with grant support from the Community Arts Partnership. Additional funding is provided by Poets & Writers, Inc., with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Co-sponsors include Amnesty International Group 73 Ithaca, and Cornell University’s Carl L. Becker House, Department of Romance StudiesLatin American Studies Program, Rose Goldsen Lecture Series Fund, and the Society for the Humanities.

ICOA is part of a worldwide network of cities of asylum, supporting writers whose works are suppressed, whose lives are threatened, whose cultures are vanishing, and whose languages are endangered. ICOA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action, a non-profit organization affiliated with Cornell University, and works in partnership with CornellIthaca College, and Wells College. For more information about ICOA, http://ithacacityofasylum.com.

For more information about this event, contact Bridget Meeds, ICOA board chair, at (607) 220-7984 or bridget.meeds@gmail.com.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

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.

Beginning September 28, 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:

·         September 28—“Because of Winn-Dixie” by Kate DiCamillo
·         October 26—“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio
·         November 23—“Inside Out and Back Again” by Thanhha Lai
·         December 21—“Homecoming” by Cynthia Voigt

Participants may attend one or all of the meetings.  Registration is not required, and refreshments will be served.

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

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Library to Host Animal Sleepover Storytime

Young readers are invited to send their stuffed animals on an after-hours Library adventure September 25, as Tompkins County Public Library hosts Animal Sleepover Storytime.

Animal Sleepover Storytime will begin at 6 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room with a special storytime for children of all ages and their favorite stuffed friends.  After storytime ends, the stuffed animals will spend the night exploring the Library.

Children can pick up their animals and a photograph of their late-night, Library escapades on September 26.

Animal Sleepover Storytime has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through a grant from Elmira Savings Bank.

For more information, visit: http://tcpl.org/kids/programs.php or contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Library to Offer Community Read Writing Workshop

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Home and Away,” a free writing workshop exploring memories and connections of homes past and present, September 25 from 10 a.m. to Noon in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Inspired by the 2013 Community Read of Julie Otsuka’s “When the Emperor was Divine,” this program will be facilitated by Irene “Zee” Zahava and encourage participants to consider and write about the places, people and things associated with “home.”

Zahava is a short story writer, haiku poet, small press publisher, published anthologist, the former owner of Smedley’s Book Shop and the founder of Zee’s Writing Studio in downtown Ithaca.

“When the Emperor was Divine” is an enlightening and heart-wrenching, third-person story of a Japanese-American family torn apart by American policies and prejudice during World War II, Otsuka’s 2003 debut novel evocatively and emotionally ponders a subject previously unexplored by commercial fiction—Japanese internment camps. 

Now in its 12th year, the Community Read encourages community members to experience the bond of literature by reading and discussing the same title. 

The writing workshop is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is required.  To register, contact Zahava at (607) 273-4675 or zee@twcny.rr.com.

For more information about the Community Read, contact Community Read Coordinator Sarah Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255 or sglogowski@tcpl.org.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Library to Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Avast, ye hearties, Tompkins County Public Library is celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day September 19 with activities and events for landlubbers of all ages.

Originally conceived in 1995, Talk Like a Pirate Day gained notoriety in 2002 when comedian Dave Barry mentioned it in his syndicated column.  Pirate lovers around the world have celebrated with “arrghs” and “ahoys” ever since, but the Library has a more educational way of recognizing this spirited, annual event.

“TCPL is awash with resources perfect for celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day,” said Librarian Debbie Collier.  “From print and audio versions of “Peter Pan” and “Robinson Crusoe,” to “The Pirates of the Caribbean” on DVD, TCPL has something for pirate lovers of all ages.”

Among the most unique and increasingly popular pirate-themed resources in the Library’s collection are the MANGO Languages databases, which offer instruction for learning more than 50 languages, including special courses for anyone Learning English as a Second Language and, of course, Pirate!

The Library celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day will feature youth, teen and adult book displays, MANGO instruction from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a Library-wide treasure hunt, which requires patrons to use Library resources to answer questions.  Patrons who answer eight out of 12 questions correctly will earn the title of “Bookaneer,” receive a certificate and a chocolate treasure and be entered in a drawing for a Library prize basket.

For more information, contact Joyce Wheatley at (607) 272-4557 extension 257 or jwheatley@tcpl.org.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Library to Host Book Discussion Groups

Tompkins County Public Library will offer opportunities for readers to talk about the 2013 Community Read-- “When the Emperor was Divine” by Julie Otsuka--as Community Read Coordinator Sarah Glogowski hosts two book discussion groups September 17  from noon to 1 p.m. and September 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room West.

Participants of all ages are invited to share their impressions and discuss the relevance, themes and messages of  “When the Emperor was Divine” in a judgment-free and welcoming environment.

“When the Emperor was Divine” is an enlightening and heart-wrenching, third-person story of a Japanese-American family torn apart by American policies and prejudice during World War II. Otsuka’s 2003 debut novel evocatively and emotionally ponders a subject previously unexplored by commercial fiction—Japanese internment camps. 

Now in its 12th year, the Community Read encourages community members to experience the bond of literature by reading and discussing the same title. 

This program is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is requested. To register, contact Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255 or sglogowski@tcpl.org.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Library to Host Senior Memoir Writing Series

Tompkins County Public Library will host a six-part memoir writing series for seniors beginning September 16.

Facilitated by Irene “Zee” Zahava, this free program will be held Mondays: September 16, 23, 30, 7, 21 and 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room—West.

Participants will write original works based on prompts from Zahava and have an opportunity to share the pieces they create in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

The Senior Writing Circle is free and open to adults aged 50 and older; however, pre-registration is required.  To register, contact Zahava at zee@twcny.rr.com or (607) 273-4675.

 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Award-Winning Children’s Book Authors to Visit Library

Tompkins County Public Library, in collaboration with the Family Reading Partnership, will present award-winning picture book authors Suzanne Bloom and Anna McQuinn for two exciting programs September 13.

From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., picture book lovers of all ages are invited to “Make Friends With Books,” an intimate meet-and-greet opportunity featuring read-alouds from both authors, stories about friendship, and a question and answer session.  The authors will also sign copies of their books, which will be available for purchase at the event.

Educators, librarians, parents and caregivers are also invited to attend the 3:30 to 5 p.m. presentation of “Passion for Picture Books.” During this program, Bloom and McQuinn will share personal perspectives on the importance of picture books, sign copies of their books and answer audience questions.  This program will also include a free reception honoring the authors. 

While both events are free and open to the public, advance registration for “Passion for Picture Books” is appreciated.  To register, contact kaye@familyreading.org.
 
Both programs will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.
 
Bloom, of McDonough (Chenango County) is the author of “A Splendid Friend Indeed,” which has been presented to every kindergartener in Tompkins County for the past five years. 

McQuinn, of London, is the author of “Lola at the Library,” given by TCPL, for the past two years, to every baby born at Cayuga Medical Center.

For more information, contact Kaye Stone at (607)  277-8602 or kaye@familyreading.org.

 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Library to Host Candidate Forum

Candidates running for Tompkins County Judge will have an opportunity to share their platforms, ideas and goals during a 7 p.m. public forum at Tompkins County Public Library September 3.

Sponsored by the Library and the Tompkins County League of Women Voters, the forum will include all four Democratic candidates campaigning for a spot on the November ballot.  Pam Bleiwas, Joe Cassidy, Kelly Damm and Seth Peacock are vying for a their party’s support in the September 10 primary.

Each candidate will have an opportunity to offer their insight, describe their credentials and experience, and answer audience questions during the Library forum.  Kay Sharp, president of the League of Women Voters will moderate the event.

Sharp noted that candidate forums are an important tool for educating voters about candidates and issues.

“One of the League’s goals is to educate the public to facilitate informed voting,” Sharp said, encouraging voter attendance.

The elected judge will serve as magistrate for Family, Surrogate and County courts, presiding over legal matters ranging from felony cases to divorce and custody hearings.

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