Tompkins County Public Library

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Library to Distribute Poems During “Poem in Your Pocket Day”


In celebration of National Poetry Month, Tompkins County Public Library staff members will spend April 30, “Poem in Your Pocket Day,” distributing free poems throughout the community.

Launched in New York City in 2002, “Poem in Your Pocket Day” celebrates the rich history of pocket poems—from commonplace books during the Renaissance to pocket-sized publications carried by World War II soldiers.  Since 2008, bookstores, schools, libraries, parks and businesses across the country have embraced “Poem in Your Pocket Day” by encouraging open readings of pocket poems.

This year’s poems were written by local poets who answered a January call for submissions with more than 100 original poems.

TCPL librarians will distribute the poems in the Library, on the Ithaca Commons, and in other select locations throughout the day.  Poems will also be available at the Adult Services Reference Desk.

For more information, contact Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or tvadakin@tcpl.org.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Library to Host ESL Book Club

Tompkins County Public Library invites non-native English speakers to explore Jack London’s award-winning novel, “The Call of the Wild,” during two special programs April 29 and May 6.

“The Call of the Wild” is a classic work of American literature which takes readers on one dogs journey from family pet to fierce sled dog.  ESL students will be able to read and listen to an abridged version of the book, which will help improve vocabulary, reading, pronunciation and conversation skills.

The April 29 program will include a discussion of the book, while the May 6 program will feature an opportunity for participants to further enhance their understanding of the novel through a follow-up activity.

ESL students of all abilities and interests are invited to attend these free programs, which will be held from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Copies of “The Call of the Wild” are available to borrow at the Library through support from the Finger Lakes Library System’s Outreach Mini-Grant Program.

To register, or for more information, contact Teresa Vadakin at tvadakin@tcpl.org  or Stephen Salino at ssalino@tcpl.org.


Saturday, April 25, 2015

Library to Host Guruianu for Poetry Reading and Workshop

ITHACA—In celebration of National Poetry Month, Tompkins County Public Library will host New York University professor and writer Andrei Guruianu for a free poetry reading and workshop April 25 at 1 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

This program will explore the time-honored tradition of ekphrastic exchange. Ekphrastic poems are created when writers use pieces of visual art as inspiration for their writing.  Participants are encouraged to bring a photograph or a favorite image to the workshop to be used to craft their own original poem. Images will also be available at the workshop.

This event will also include a reading of Guruianu’s original works.

Guruianu is a Romanian-born writer and the author of more than a dozen books of poetry and prose, most recently “Made in the Images of Stones” and “Portrait Without a Mouth” (BrickHouse Books, 2014). He currently teaches in the Expository Writing Program at New York University. www.andreiguruianu.com.

This program is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is required.  To register, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 248.


Library to Host Storytimes in Recognition of Children and Books


In celebration of “DĆ­a,” Tompkins County Public Library has announced two special storytimes for children and their caregivers.

A program of the American Librarian Association, “El dĆ­a de los niƱos/El dĆ­a de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as DĆ­a, is a celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

TCPL’s storytimes will be held April 25 and April 28 at 11 a.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.  Both programs will feature internationally-themed stories, songs, puppet shows and snacks.

For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.  To learn more about DĆ­a, visit

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Library and YMCA to Partner for Download Training

Tompkins County Public Library and the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County will partner April 23 for a demonstration by the “Freeloading Librarians,” a group of library staff members offering instruction, advice, and support for downloading free eBooks and audiobooks to mobile devices.

The demonstration will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include personal assistance for downloading books to iPads, iPods, Kindles, Nooks and smartphones through the Finger Lakes Library System’s free Overdrive Media Console application. 

Participants should bring their library card or sign up for a free card at the event. Photo identification with a current, local address is required to receive a library card.

This program is part of an ongoing series of “Freeloading Librarian” programs designed to increase digital confidence and awareness among readers.

For more information, contact Thomas Fredette at (607) 272-4557 extension 271 or tfredette@tcpl.org.




Library Issues Call for Artists


Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with curators Frances Fawcett and Margaret Nelson, has announced a call for artists for the summer 2015 exhibit “Dreamtime—Surreal and Fantastic Art.”

Open to all artists living in New York or Northern Pennsylvania, this exhibit will feature artwork with surreal and fantasy themes.  Pieces requested include gallery-quality prints, sculptures, photographs or original multi-media works created through traditional or digital techniques.

For additional information or an application to participate, artists are asked to contact Fawcett at (607) 529-7071 or ffawcett@twcny.rr.com or Nelson at (607) 257-7144 or rumfygraf@twcny.rr.com.

Applications must be received on or before May 15.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Library to Host Graphic Novelist Laura Lee Gulledge


Teens are invited to experience learning outside of the classroom, May 1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., as the Tompkins County Public Library hosts Graphic Novelist Laura Lee Gulledge for a special graphic novel-writing presentation.

“Big Ideas With Laura Lee Gulledge” will offer insight into turning doodles into published graphic novels. Budding authors and illustrators will learn about the writing and drawing process, character development, using art and video shorts to illustrate and how graphic novels are created, from sketch to final inking.

Gulledge is the author of young adult graphic novels “Page by Paige” and “Will and Whit” and a trained art educator.

This program is being held in conjunction with Ithaca College’s “Pippi to Ripley” conference.  It is free and open to young adults ages 11 to 19 and will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

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

Library to Host Musical Storytime

Tompkins County Public Library will host a special Musical Storytime May 2 at 11 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Volunteers from Ithaca College will read and provide musical accompaniment to “The Orchestra, The Orchestra!” by Suzanne Guy and Donna Lacy. Following the reading, musicians will offer an "Instrument Petting Zoo," during which children can look, listen, touch, and play with a wide-range of musical instruments.

Refreshments will be provided.


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

Library to Host Bookbinding Workshop

Tompkins County Public Library will host an introduction to bookbinding May 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Facilitated by Library volunteer Maude Rith, this workshop will offer hands-on instruction for assembling a small, simple book, which participants can use as a personal journal, sketch or idea book. 

Basic supplies will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring personal items, such as photos, stickers or collage materials to decorate their books.


This program is free and open to an adult audience.  Advance registration is required. To register, or for more information, contact Learning and Information Services Librarian Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or tvadakin@tcpl.org.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Library to Host Lego Program on Saturdays



Elementary-aged children can build more than a lifelong love of reading at Tompkins County Public Library this spring during Saturday sessions of “Legos in the Library.”

Children in grades kindergarten through five are invited to attend “Legos in the Library,” a weekly free-build program being held each Saturday through August 22 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. 

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Library to Host Mansfield for Reading and Signing

Tompkins County Public Library will host author, blogger and bereavement support educator Elaine Mansfield for a reading and signing of “Leaning Into Love:  A Spiritual Journey Through Grief,” April 16 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Mansfield’s inspiring memoir of love, hope, determination and triumph, explores the extraordinary closeness between she and her husband, Vic, their determination to transform his cancer diagnosis into a conscious relationship with mortality, and how Mansfield used her grief and ongoing love following Vic’s death as the foundation for her new life.

Additional information about Mansfield’s journey through grief and her current projects can be found at http://elainemansfield.com/.

This program is free and open to the public.  Copies of “Leaning Into Love” will be available for purchase at the event.

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



Library to Host Special Earth Day-Themed Spanish Storytime


Tompkins County Public Library will host a special Earth Day-themed Cuentos En EspaƱol storytime April 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This Spanish-language storytime is being hosted by student volunteers from Professor Brisa Teutli’s Spanish Conversation and Pronunciation class at Cornell University and will include stories and hands-on activities about recycling and sustainability.

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.