Tompkins County Public Library

Friday, January 31, 2014

Library to Launch Online Book Club

In an effort to provide dynamic and accessible programming to all readers, Tompkins County Public Library has announced the launch of an online version of its Four Seasons Book Club.

This virtual forum will allow readers who are unable to attend, or prefer ongoing discussion, an opportunity to take part in the Book Club remotely from their personal computer, smartphone, tablet or other internet-accessible device.

The Four Seasons Book Club, announced January 14, will discuss four books per year beginning with Oprah’s Book Club selection “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd.  Inspired by the true story of suffragist and abolitionist Sarah Grimké, “The Invention of Wings,” explores the complex relationship between Grimké, the privileged daughter of a Southern plantation owner, and Handful, her family’s compliant, yet strong-willed, slave. Through alternating first-person narrative, Kidd masterfully illustrates the struggles of each woman to break free from their oppressors in pursuit of their dreams.

The Club is free and open to the public; however advance registration is required.  Club members will meet quarterly beginning March 6.  Additional meetings are  planned for May 1, August 7 and October 2.  Discussions will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.  The online forum is available now and can be accessed 24 hours per day, seven days a week.


To register for the virtual Four Seasons Book club, register for Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/about/how_it_works, email Adult Services Librarian Teresa Vadakin at tvadakin@tcpl.org to request an invitation to the online book club and follow the instructions in her reply email.

For more information or to register for the on-site version of the Four Season Book Club, contact Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or tvadakin@tcpl.org.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

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 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. 

Upcoming meeting dates and titles to be discussed are:

·         January 25—“Anastasia Krupnick” by Lois Lowry
·         March 1—“Northward to the Moon” by Polly Horvath
·         March 22- “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George

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.

Library, AAUW to Host Discussion on Cost of Cheap Fashion

Tompkins County Public Library and the Ithaca chapter of the American Association of University Women will host a discussion of Elizabeth Cline’s acclaimed book, “Overdressed:  The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion,” January 25 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Cline’s book explores the impact of “fast fashion” and increased access to mass-produced, poorly-crafted clothing on the environment, international economies and human dignity.

During the Library program, panelists Tasha Lewis, Autumn Newell, and Wendy Skinner will lead a discussion of the dichotomy between the affordability of fashion and the distressing consequences-- ranging from hoarding and waste to life-threatening factory conditions.

Lewis is an assistant professor in the Fiber Science and Apparel Design Department at Cornell University. She has written about global apparel production and social responsibility and sustainability throughout the apparel supply chain. Newell is the former owner of Tuff Soul, Ithaca's first sustainable style clothing store. She is currently engaged in masters' level research at Cornell exploring waste and ethical sourcing in the fashion industry. Skinner is the director of SewGreen, a textile reuse and youth education program that promotes sewing, refashioning, and responsible consumerism.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) promotes equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.  The Ithaca membership affords local women the opportunity to share common interests, develop friendships, and act on vital issues.

For more information about AAUW, visit www.aauw-ithaca.org or contact Sharon Turecek, president, at sturecek416@gmail.com

The Library 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.

 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Library to Showcase Three Exhibits During Gallery Night

A celebration of dance, intricate wood sculptures and an artistic tribute to Martin Luther Jr., will be on display at the Tompkins County Public Library during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night, February 7.

The featured exhibits include, “For the Joy of Dancing,” a multi-media exhibit reflecting the passion, spirit and excitement of dance.

“For the Joy of Dancing,” includes original works from regional artists:  Glenda Blake, Raymond Dalton, Margaret Corbit, Brian Keeler, Bill Deats, Jari Poulin, Julie Prisloe and Kurt Lichtmann.

The artists borrowed from their own experiences with dancing and dancers to create an eclectic blend of pieces which celebrate the simple joys of learned and improvised dance.  From pieces reflecting the newly-learned poise of young dancers to those showcasing the passion and excitement shared between dance partners, the exhibit offers—through the eyes of its artists-- a glimpse into the social, cultural, emotional and spiritual world of dance.

The exhibit includes photographs of many local dancers, and will be on display through March 15.

Also on display during Gallery Night are the unusual wood sculptures of Gerry Monaghan and Eva M. Capobianco. This unusual pairing illustrates how artists can use the same medium to create vastly different works. From the solid, yet fanciful, creations of Capobianco to the fragile, almost floating creations, of Monaghan, these intricately-crafted pieces are dissimilar in their design but alike in their beauty. 

Gallery Night will also feature a special exhibit presented by the Tompkins County Office of Human Rights.  “Why We Can’t Wait:  The 127th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Art and Poetry Competition Show will be on display outside of the Library’s Ezra Cornell Reading Room.  A Recognition Ceremony and Reception will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Avenue of the Friends.

For more information about any of these exhibits, contact Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Gallery Night access to the Library will be through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance behind Green Street’s TCAT bus shelter.

Library Launches Year of Art With Dance Exhibit

Tompkins County Public Library will launch the series “A Year of Art at Your Library” with “For the Joy of Dancing,”  a multi-media exhibit reflecting the passion, spirit and excitement of dance.

Curated by Sally Grubb, “For the Joy of Dancing,” includes original works from regional artists:  Glenda Blake, Raymond Dalton, Margaret Corbit, Brian Keeler, Bill Deats, Jari Poulin, Julie Prisloe and Kurt Lichtmann.

The artists borrowed from their own experiences with dancing and dancers to create an eclectic blend of pieces which celebrate the simple joys of learned and improvised dance.  From pieces reflecting the newly-learned poise of young dancers to those showcasing the passion and excitement shared between dance partners, the exhibit offers—through the eyes of its artists-- a glimpse into the social, cultural, emotional and spiritual world of dance.

The exhibit includes photographs of many local dancers, and will be on display through March 15.  An opening reception will be held in conjunction with Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night, from 5 to 8 p.m, February 7.

“For the Joy of Dancing” has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with grant support from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County.  For more information, contact Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Library to Host Family Movie Matinee

Tompkins County Public Library will host a free screening of “Despicable Me 2,” January 20 at 2 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Families are invited to enjoy popcorn and drinks while watching Gru, his adorable girls and the mischievous minions in this-fun-filled sequel.

The Library will also host a special screening of the blockbuster “Planes” at 2 p.m., February 17.

For more information, contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607) 272–4557 extension 275.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Library Invites Patrons to “Be a Part of History” by Participating in Art Exhibit

Library patrons will have an opportunity to be a part of history by participating in “Diary of a Library:  A Community Card Catalog of Pictures, Stories and Memories,” a 15-drawer card catalog exhibit being planned in conjunction with the Library’s 150th Anniversary.
Community members are invited to visit the Library January 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or January 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when volunteers will be available to help with the creation of 3 by 5 inch card catalog cards.  These cards will become part of TCPL’s Sesquicentennial Art Exhibit “150 Years and Counting.” 
“Diary of a Library” is being curated by artist and former Library Trustee Barbara Page and will include drawers for each of the following topics:  Children at the Library -Life Stories – Library Stories – Artists’ Books – Friends of the Library – History of the Library – Library Volunteers – Art at the Library – Library of Yesterday, Today, the Future – Library Scavenger Hunt – Community Suggestion Box – Staff- Trustees- Foundation Board and Advisory Board.
 
From favorite books to favorite memories or photos of favorite spots in the Library, nothing is off limits as long as it captures the spirit of TCPL. 
For more information about the Library’s sesquicentennial celebration, visit tcpl.org/150.  For more information about the workshops, email Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Library to Host Lego Program

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

Children in grades kindergarten through five are invited to attend “Legos in the Library,” a weekly free-build program, Saturdays, January 4 through April 26 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.

 

 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Library to Exhibit Art of Local Middle School Students

Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate the opening of two new art exhibits during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night January 3.

Created by sixth grade students from Boynton and seventh and eighth grade students from DeWitt Middle School, these fascinating exhibits feature repurposed books and redesigned book covers.

Art teachers Aubrey Hetznecker from Dewitt and Caitlin Chan from Boynton encouraged their students to create pieces based on literature.  Chan’s students designed multi-media covers based on their interpretations of the symbols, themes and characters represented in their favorite books. 

Hetznecker’s students created sculptures and works of poetry from discarded books. By ripping, cutting, gluing, folding and reshaping, the young artists created works as varied and fascinating as the books themselves.

The completed projects represent hours spent reading, researching illustrators, gathering ideas and connecting with literature.

The pieces will serve as a complement to the Library’s current exhibit, “Banned,” by Susan Onondera, which features artists as young as 10-years-old and is designed to draw attention to the current and growing issue of censorship, challenging and banning of books, and the free and open access to information. 

Gallery Night is held the first Friday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m., with after-hours access to the Library through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance located behind TCAT’s Green Street bus shelter.

The middle school exhibits will be on display through February. “BANNED!” will be on display until January 4.

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 twice- 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 will be held Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from January 3 through April 29.  Playtime programs are held 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.