Tompkins County Public Library

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Library to Host Sensory Storytime


Children ages 3 through 7 are invited to attend Tompkins County Public Library’s “Sensory Storytime,” a program designed for children with sensory integration challenges, July 26 at 3 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This program is free and open to all children; however, books, songs and movements will be selected to stimulate the senses and promote learning for children with sensory challenges. Children who have previously struggled to sit through one of the Library’s other storytimes may find the inclusive stories, songs and activities of “Sensory Storytime” more enjoyable and accessible.

Pre-registration is required. To register, visit the Library’s Youth Services Department, call (607) 272-4557 extension 275, or email Kate DeVoe at kdevoe@tcpl.org.

“Sensory Storytime” has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through a grant from Elmira Savings Bank, and with support from the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Library to Host Read-Along Songs with Cal Walker and John Simon


Tompkins County Public Library and the Family Reading Partnership will partner July 26 for Read-Along Songs, a family-friendly program using rhyming and rhythm to connect children and families to the joy of words and literacy through music. 

This program begins at 11 a.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.  It is free and open to the public and is being held in conjunction with the Library’s 2014 Summer Reading Challenge. 

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

TCPL's 2014 Summer Reading Programming has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from the Harmon Foundation, the Youth Services Programming Endowment Fund, the Michael Kammen Children's Fund and the Myrtle Dee Nash Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Library to Host Animal Sleepover Storytime

Young readers are invited to send their stuffed animals on an after-hours Library adventure July 23, 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 July 24.

“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.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Library to Host Pearlman for Poetry Reading

Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate the release of “Afterlife,” with a reading and signing by Tompkins County Poet Laureate Tish Pearlman, July 17 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

“Afterlife,”  Pearlman’s second poetry collection, explores her reconnection with the pen following a nearly fatal 2009 heart surgery. She retold this experience in her first collection, "The Fix Is In" (Finishing Line Press, 2012).  The poems featured in  "Afterlife," an inspired and inspiring new collection, offer a glimpse into Pearlman’s early life with a lonely, alcoholic mother, her activism on behalf of the LGBT community and the longing for a connection to her past.

Pearlman has served as the host and producer of “Out of Bounds,” an award-winning weekly public affairs/arts interview program. A recognized broadcast journalist, community and political activist, Pearlman boasts an impressive resume of production, freelance, voiceover and hosting work.  Her poetry has appeared in The Healing Muse, The Ithaca Times and The Syracuse Post-Dispatch Healthy CNY Magazine.

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.



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Library and Ithaca Generator Partner for Wearable Electronics Workshop


Tompkins County Public Library and Ithaca Generator will present “Spark a Reaction:  Wearable Electronics,” a two-part workshop for teens and tweens, July 16 and 23 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room-East.

Held in conjunction with the Library’s 2014 teen summer reading program, these programs will explore how electronics can be integrated into clothing to produce garments and accessories that can move, emit sound and light up in response to their environment. Participants will learn about microcontroller-based wearable projects and design and make their own wearable circuitry.  Interested teens will have an opportunity to borrow Arduino kits to take their projects to the next level and may choose to show off their creations during an August 23 expo.

“Spark a Reaction:  Wearable Electronics,” workshops are free; however, space is limited.  To register, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauro@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Wacky Science Wednesdays


Book-loving aspiring scientists are invited to join Tompkins County Public Library for “Wacky Science Wednesdays,” a program that combines reading, inventing, creating and experimenting.

Children in grades three through five will meet each Wednesday, July 16 through August 27 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.  Participants will read a novel selected by the group and explore science with fun, hands-on activities and experiments.

During the last Wacky Science Wednesday meeting, members of Ithaca Generator will help participants create a special project.  This program is free; however, registration is encouraged.

To register, visit or call the Youth Services Reference Desk at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.  Programs will not be held July 30 or August 6.

Wacky Science Wednesdays are being held in conjunction with “Fizz, Boom, Read!,” the Library’s 2014 Summer Reading Program.

TCPL’s 2014 Summer Reading Programming has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from the Harmon Foundation, the Youth Services Programming Endowment Fund, the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund, and the Myrtle Dee Nash Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.


Monday, July 14, 2014

Library to Offer Family Movie Night



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 “Fizz, Boom, Read!,” the Library’s 2014 Summer Reading Program, Family Movie Nights will be held July 14 and August 18 at 6 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. 

For film titles, visit http://tcpl.org/kids/programs-family-films.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.

TCPL’s 2014 Summer Reading Programming has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from the Harmon Foundation, the Youth Services Programming Endowment Fund, the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund, and the Myrtle Dee Nash Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

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