Tompkins County Public Library

Saturday, August 23, 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, August 23 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 Maker Expo

Learn about video game design, 3-D printing, engineering and more as Tompkins County Public Library hosts a free “Maker Expo,” August 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Participants of all ages are invited to meet local makers, discuss the maker movement and explore locally-made maker projects.  Ithaca High School’s Code Red Robotics team will also be on-hand to share their latest project.

Teens and tweens who attended library maker workshops this summer are encouraged to showcase their projects at this event.  All youth exhibitors will have a chance to win a techie prize package.

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


Monday, August 18, 2014

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 will be held Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 6 through September 26. The program is 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.




Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Library to Host Community Read DNA Workshop

Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell University’s Genetically Engineered Machines (CU iGEM) team will host “The Answer is in the DNA,” a presentation on the use of DNA in forensic investigations, August 13 at 6 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Held in conjunction with the 2014 Community Read  of “Clash of Civilization Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio” by Amara Lakhous, this program will explore how criminal investigators use DNA to identify suspects.  Participants will learn about the structure of DNA, its relation to genetic diversity and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), a technigue which allows scientists to narrow suspect lists by comparing elements of potential suspect’s DNA.  Following a short presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to use the information presented to solve a fictitious crime.

Winner of Italy’s prestigious Flaiano Prize, “Clash of Civilizations” uses social satire and murder mystery to tell the story of a mixed community thrown into chaos as police investigate the murder of a neighbor.

The Cornell University Genetically Engineered Machines (CU iGEM) team is a student-run, international award-winning biology-inspired project team with a vision of creating synthetic biology tools and processes that will offer breakthrough answers to the many needs of industry and the economy.

This program is free and open to an all-ages audience, but it is most appropriate for adults and children 11 and older. 

Now in its 13th year, the Community Read encourages community members to experience the bond of literature by reading and discussing the same title. 

For more information, or to request free copies of the book for a book group or community agency, contact Community Read Coordinator Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or tvadakin@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Cultural Storytelling Featuring Aloja Airewele and Friends

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Life as a Story,” a lunchtime storytelling event featuring community volunteer and activist Aloja Airewele and friends, August 13 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

“Life as a Story,” will bring locals of various backgrounds and cultures-- including individuals of Irish, Jewish, Nigerian and Hispanic descent--together for an afternoon of stories and music.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Airewele is a trained physician and worked in family medicine before immigrating with his family to the United States in 1997.  He currently serves as a director for Shape Our Future Now (www.shapeourfuturenow.org),
an organization dedicated to helping communities affected by violence in Northern Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

This family-friendly 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, August 12, 2014

Library to Host Teen Trivia Night

Area teens are invited to showcase their science fiction and fantasy knowledge from 6 to 8 p.m., August 12, as Tompkins County Public Library hosts “Spark a Reaction: Teen TriviaNight.”
Facilitated by DJ Bob Proehl, this program will offer teams of teens the opportunity to compete for fantastic prizes while sharing their knowledge of cult classics like “Dr. Who,” the Harry Potter series and “Star Wars.” 
This program is free and open to all teens.  Free pizza and soda will be provided.
For more information, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauro@tcpl.org.

The 2014 Teen Summer Reading Program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through generous support from the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Library to Host Community Read Satire Workshop

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Roman Carnivals:  Classical Lessons in the Art ofSatire,” a free satire writing workshop facilitated by author and professor Anthony DiRenzo, August 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room-East.

Held in conjunction with the 2014 Community Read of “Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio” by Amara Lakhous, this program will introduce participants to the fundamentals of literary satire, borrowing techniques from such classical Roman writers as Horace and Juvenal. Samplings of short readings and film clips will prompt craft discussions and writing exercises.

Winner of Italy’s prestigious Flaiano Prize, “Clash of Civilizations” uses social satire and murder mystery to tell the story of a mixed community thrown into chaos as police investigate the murder of a neighbor.

Di Renzo teaches humorous writing at Ithaca College. His books, such as “Bitter Greens: Essays on Food, Politics, and History from the Imperial Kitchen” (SUNY Press, 2010) and “Trinàcria: A Tale of Bourbon Sicily” (Guernica Editions, 2013), satirize the ongoing culture war between traditional Italian humanism and American business and technology.  As Pasquino, Rome’s legendary talking statue, Di Renzo contributes a monthly column to San Francisco's “L’Italo-Americano.”

This program is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is appreciated.  To register, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.
Now in its 13th year, the Community Read encourages community members to experience the bond of literature by reading and discussing the same title. 

For more information, or to request free copies of the book for a book group or community agency, contact Community Read Coordinator Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or tvadakin@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Preschool Storytime Series

Boys and girls beginning preschool this fall are invited to shake out their first day of school jitters before the school year begins during Tompkins County Public Library’s “My First Day of Preschool Storytime Series,” Thursdays, August 7 through August 28 at 2 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. 

This four-part school readiness series is open to all children entering preschool and will include stories, songs and crafts.  Participants will receive a free first day of school book.

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

This program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through grant support provided by the Myrtle Dee Nash Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County. 


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Library to Host Author of “The World Peace Diet”

Tompkins County Public Library will host author and educator, Will Tuttle, for a discussion and signing of his best-selling book, “The World Peace Diet,” August 6 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

“The World Peace Diet” inspires readers to work toward a world of peace, freedom, wellness, and harmony and shares keys to positive individual and social transformation.  Tuttle’s library presentation will explore the unrecognized connections between culturally-mandated meals and a broad range of problems—psychological, social, and spiritual, as well as health and environmental.

A former Zen monk and a Dharma Master in the Korean Zen tradition, Tuttle is a recipient of the Peace Abbey’s Courage of Conscience Award and the creator of several wellness training programs.  His Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, focused on educating intuition and altruism in adults, and he has taught college courses in creativity, humanities, mythology, religion, and philosophy.

This program is free and open to the public, copies of “The World Peace Diet” will be available for purchase at the event.


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

Library Offers Virtual Card Access



The smartest card in Tompkins County Public Library cardholders wallets just got a little smarter.  Access to virtual library cards is now available on smartphones.

Easy-to-use apps like CardStar and Key Ring now make it possible for patrons to scan their library card barcodes into their phones.  During check-out, patrons can present their phones to a Circulation and Access Services staff member for scanning.  This service is free and convenient and offers a time saving option for parents and families who can now store and label personal cards and children’s cards on their phones rather than searching through wallets and purses for physical cards.

For instructions on how to download an app, visit the Circulation Services Department or http://tcpl.org/services/circulation-library-card-virtual.php.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Library to Host Writing Workshop Series for Teens

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Spark a Reaction: Speculative Fiction Writing for Teens,” Mondays and Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., from August 4 through August 27 in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Participants will be encouraged to explore unknown worlds with celebrated local author and poet Katharyn Howd Machan.  This series will offer insight into writing works of science fiction and fantasy.  Pieces created during “Spark a Reaction” will be published in book form, distributed to participants and added to the Library’s collection.  Attendees will also have an opportunity to share their work with the public during the last session.

This program is free and open to the public; however space is limited.  To register, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauro@tcpl.org.

Library to Circulate Electricity Usage Monitors


Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension, has announced the circulation of “Kill A Watt” electricity usage monitors.

These easy-to-use devices are designed to help consumers monitor energy costs for home electronics and appliances. “Kill A Watt” devices help users determine electricity expenses by the day, week, month or year and serve as valuable tools for reducing electricity costs.

TCPL has four “Kill A Watt” devices that may be borrowed, with a valid library card, for one week.

For more information, contact Amy Humber, head of the Library’s Adult Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 247 or ahumber@tcpl.org.