Tompkins County Public Library

Friday, December 18, 2015

Library Announces Holiday Hours

Tompkins County Public Library may be closed for a few days this holiday season, but patrons will still have access to Library services and materials.

"TCPL is so fortunate to have patrons who not only use and support the Library, but truly rely on it," Currie said.  "That's why we want to make sure that we are meeting their needs even when we are closed,” noting that patrons can take advantage of 24-hour online access to library resources by visiting tcpl.org and that no items will be scheduled for return during the holidays.

The Library will be closed:
·         Wednesday, December 23
·         Thursday, December 24
·         Friday, December 25
·         Saturday, December 26
·         Sunday, December 27
·         Thursday, December 31
·         Friday, January 1


Patrons are encouraged to explore educational and entertainment resources, including: Zinio, for free access to more than 100 magazines,  Mango Languages’ language-learning system, OverDrive’s free eBook and audiobook service, and TumbleBooks for children, are available 365 days a year, by logging on to the Library's website. A complete list of available resources can be accessed by selecting the “Virtual Library” link.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Library to Offer Family Science Program

Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell University’s Center for Materials Research will host “Electrochemistry,” Saturday, January 9 from 1-2 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Participants will explore chemical reactions that use or produce electricity. Families will create a battery, experiment with metal on a coin, and split water into gases.

Families Learning Science Together is a free program designed to help children develop an early love of science through hands-on participation. These programs are offered at the Library on the second Saturday of each month.

Families Learning Science Together programs are free and open to the public, but space is limited. To register, email ccmr_outreach@cornell.edu. Please include the name and age of all children in the email. 


More information about Families Learning Science Together workshops can be found at https://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/lending-library.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Library to Host Special Holiday-Themed Firefighter Storytime

Tompkins County Public Library will host Ithaca Firefighter Thomas Basher, Jr. for a special Holiday Storytime, Monday,  December 21 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Basher will share holiday stories and tips for staying safe this winter.

Snacks and crafts will be provided.


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

Friday, December 4, 2015

Library to Host Cupcake Decorating Party

Tompkins County Public Library will host an all-ages cupcake decorating party Saturday, December 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Creative confectioners of all skill-levels are invited to attend this fun and festive event.  Younger participants will have fun creating their own masterpieces with icing and sprinkles, while older attendees learn creative decorating techniques from a local instructor.

Cupcakes, icing and decorating supplies will be provided.

This program is free and is being held in celebration of the Library’s Winter Reading Program.  Registration is required.

For more information, please contact the Youth Services Department at 607-272-4557 extension 275 or email Youth Services Librarian Kate DeVoe at kdevoe@tcpl.org

Funding for this program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund and a generous donation by Wegmans.


Thursday, December 3, 2015

Library to Host Human Rights Art Competition Award

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Tompkins County Office of Human Rights and the Dorothy Cotton Institute, will host the 2015 Human Rights Art Competition Awards Ceremony, Thursday, December 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Avenue of the Friends.

The 28th Annual Human Rights Art Competition is designed to encourage students in grades kindergarten through 12 to explore issues central to universal—civil, political, economic, social and cultural—rights.  The United Nations’ 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights served as inspiration for this year’s artists.

Award recipients were announced December 3 and will be feted during the awards ceremony.  The ceremony is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be provided.


For more information, contact the Office of Human Rights at (607) 277-4080 or Mary McKeon at the Library at mmckeon@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Star Wars Party

Tompkins County Public Library’s Junior Library Advisory Council will celebrate the premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” with an all-ages Star Wars Party, Thursday, December 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Veteran fans and those new to the Star Wars franchise will enjoy games, crafts and activities, including a photo booth and lightsaber duels.  Costumes are encouraged but not required.  Snacks will be provided.

This program is free and open to the public and has been planned entirely by the Library’s Junior Advisory Council, a group of young adults dedicated to quality library service for local teens. 

Advance registration is appreciated but not required.  To register, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 274, or visit http://www.libraryinsight.com/EventSignUp.asp?t=609559349&jx=nnv&lmx=759689.

Support for this event has been provided by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through funding from the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.


Library to Host Young Adult Book Club

Tompkins County Public Library will host its Young Adult Book Club, a monthly book discussion group for middle and high school students, Wednesday, December 16 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room-West.

This month, Club members will discuss “My True Love Gave to Me,” a collection of winter and holiday-themed short stories.  Free copies of the book are available for new and returning members at the Library’s Youth Services Reference Desk.

Participants are encouraged to wear cozy sweaters, hats and scarves and will enjoy a hot cocoa bar during the December meeting.

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


Support for this event has been provided by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through funding from the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Library to Close December 11 for Staff Training

Tompkins County Public Library will be closed Friday, December 11 for its annual Staff Development Day.

Library Director Susan Currie said the training day will help ensure that staff members are prepared to meet the changing needs of Library patrons.

Patrons will be able to access account information and databases, place item holds and browse the library catalog by visiting http://tcpl.org/.

TCPL will re-open at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, December 12.


For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Library to Host STEAM Book Club

Middle-graders are invited to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math through lively book discussions and hands-on activities during Tompkins County Public Library’s monthly STEAM Book Club.

Continuing Wednesday, December 16 with a discussion of “Chasing Vermeer” by Blue Balliett, the STEAM Book Club will encourage area third, fourth and fifth graders to improve their understanding of current core competencies through critical thinking and book-related activities.

“Chasing Vermeer” follows eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder as they combine their talents to solve an international art scandal.  As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer.

Club members will discuss the book and explore pendulum painting and other fusions of art and science.

The STEAM Book Club is free and open to all third, fourth and fifth graders. December’s program will be held from 3:45 to 5  p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Copies of “Chasing Vermeer” can be picked up at the Youth Services Reference Desk.

For more information or to register, contact Kate DeVoe at (607) 272-4557 extension 277 or kdevoe@tcpl.org.

Funding for STEAM programming is provided by the Ujeni Grants for Advancing Public Education Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County and the Erin Aljoe Schlather Dedicated Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

Library to Offer Family Science Program

Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell University’s Center for Materials Research will host “The Science of Sound,” Saturday, December 12 from 1-2 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Participants will learn about sound through hands-on experiments and activities.
Families Learning Science Together is a free program designed to help children develop an early love of science through hands-on participation. These programs are offered at the 
Library on the second Saturday of each month.

Families Learning Science Together programs are free and open to the public, but space is limited. To register, email ccmr_outreach@cornell.edu. Please include the name and age of all children in the email. 

More information about Families Learning Science Together workshops can be found at https://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/lending-library.