Tompkins County Public Library

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Library to Host Screening of Connie Cook Documentary

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes and CloseToHome Productions, will host a June 9 screening of “Connie Cook:  A Documentary,” beginning at 7 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

A political pioneer, Cook was a 1943 graduate of Cornell Law School and one of the first female corporate lawyers in New York City.  Cook was a leader in the fight for women’s rights while representing Tompkins County as a republican in the New York State Assembly during the 1960s and 1970s -- a time when only two other women served in the assembly. Through the political process, Cook implemented legislation for broad-based public control of education and the decriminalization of abortion. Her efforts regarding abortion became a model for the rest of the country, launching the landmark United States Supreme Court case Roe V. Wade. In 1974, she became the first woman to be named vice-president of Cornell University, and that same year, she sued the Episcopal Church and won a battle that would allow women to become priests.

“Connie Cook:  A Documentary” is an interview-driven documentary filled with archival footage of Cook and others.  It features a diverse cast of Cook’s family, friends, colleagues and politicians.  The film was directed by award-winning filmmaker Sue Perlgut, founder of CloseToHome Productions, and Nils Hoover.

For more information, visit ConnieCookFilm.com and facebook.com/conniecookfilm or contact Perlgut at info@conniecookfilm.com.


*Corporate sponsorship for the film is provided by Carol Bushberg Real Estate, and The Jewelbox. The documentary is a project of Social Ventures and PEGASYS Studios and has been partially funded by a grant from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Library to Offer Family Science Program

Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell University’s Center for Materials Research with host “Bubble Trouble” Saturday, June 13 from 1-2 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room-West.

Families will learn about the effect of viscosity on solutions by making giant bubbles during this Families Learning Science Together event.  The program will begin indoors, but participants will head outside to try out what they’ve learned.  Attendees should dress accordingly.

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. Emails should include the name and ages of children planning to attend.

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

Monday, May 18, 2015

Library to Host Saturday Matinee Double Feature

Tompkins County Public Library will host a free double feature of 1950s cult favorites, “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman” and “Attack of the Puppet People,” Saturday, May 30 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

These B movie science-fiction classics were shot on small budgets but packed with entertainment value.

The matinee is free and open to an adult audience.


For more information, contact Tom Burns at tburns@tcpl.org

Library to Host Baby Storytime

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the June return of its weekly storytime for babies and their caregivers, “Babies, Books and Bounce.”

Caregivers and newborns up to 18-months-old are invited to join Library staff Fridays at 10:30 a.m. from June 12 through August 28 for music, rhymes, movement and books. This storytime is followed by an hour-long “Baby & Toddler Playtime.”

“Babies, Books and Bounce” is free and open to the public and will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room. All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Library Storytimes have been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through a grant from Elmira Savings Bank.



Thursday, May 14, 2015

Library to Host Stories in the Park

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the June 9th return of its popular Stories in the Park program. 

Stories in the Park will be held each Tuesday through August 25 from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the Dewitt Park Farmers Market.

Children and families are invited to join library staff for lively stories, music and family fun, and stay for lunch and shopping at the Market.

While children of all ages are welcome, books and activities will be most appropriate for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

In the event of wet conditions or very hot temperatures, the program will be held in the library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

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

Stories in the Park has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through a grant from the Elmira Savings Bank and with support from the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Library to Host Film Screenings

Tompkins County Public Library will host a free screening of the critically-acclaimed film “American Sniper,” May 20 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper as real life soldier Chris Kyle, “American Sniper” was nominated for five Academy Awards, including best actor and best picture, and was the top grossing domestic film of 2014.

The Library screening is free and open to the public.  The film is rated R and intended for an adult audience.


For more information, contact Tom Burns at tburns@tcpl.org.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Library to Host Open Mic During Ithaca Festival

In celebration of Ithaca Festival 2015, Tompkins County Public Library will host a free, outdoor poetry open mic emceed by comedian and producer Ruben RC, May 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the main entrance of the Library on the Corner of Green and Cayuga streets.

Tompkins County Poet Laureate John Hopper will launch the event with a reading of his original poetry then turn the mic over to poets wishing to share their work in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

Library staff will begin registering poets for reading slots at 5 p.m. in front of the Library. Poets of all ages and writing styles are welcome.  Selections should take no longer than five minutes to read, and each poet is asked to share no more than three poems.  All pieces should be suitable for an all ages audience.

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

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Library Recognizes Volunteers

Tompkins County Public Library Executive Director Susan Currie and Volunteer Coordinator Yvette Rubio recently recognized the work of 28 library volunteers who contributed more than 100 hours each in service to TCPL during 2014.

Library volunteers were feted during an April appreciation event, which included presentations from Rubio, Currie and several members of the TCPL staff, who heralded the invaluable work of the Library’s volunteer corps.

During 2014, volunteers contributed more than 10,000 hours of service to the Library through projects including reading to children, assisting with ESL programming, shelf reading, providing technical service assistance and maintaining the Library’s flower gardens.

Among those receiving special honors during the celebration were:  Ithaca College Circle K, under the leadership of Kerryn St. Andre, and Elizabeth Elton for their contributions to the Reader is In program, which promotes early childhood literacy by providing volunteer readers to share books with visiting children; Don Austin of Ithaca College’s Office of Engagement and Multicultural Affairs for encouraging students to volunteer, and Martha Giomousis and Miguel Berrios of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Beautification Program for helping the library create and maintain its gardens.

Also recognized were Steve Berghorn, Marcus Chaves, Deborah Cohen, Virginia Colantuono, Jonathon Drake, Jessica Genung, Henry Granison, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Howland, Barbara Kone, Josiah Jacobus-Parker, Gary Johnson, Julee Johnson, James Leet, Olympia McFall, Dawn Parks, Helen Porter, Deena Rambaum, Ann Rhodin, Carlito Rosado, Eric Schissel, Jim Spear, Corey Torres, Gina and Drew Varricheo, Shannon Wagner, Jane Williams and Moyao Xue.  Each of these volunteers donated more than 100 hours of service to the Library.

Volunteers received certificates of appreciation during a special reception, and book plates recognizing their service were added to books in the TCPL collection.

For more information or to inquire about Library volunteer opportunities, contact Rubio at (607) 272-4557 extension 226 or yrubio@tcpl.org.



Library to Host Senior Theatre Troupe

Tompkins County Public Library will host an encore performance by the Senior Citizen Theatre Troupe of Lifelong, May 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.
 
An annual Library favorite, the Senior Theatre Troupe performs humorous and serious stories from troupe members’ lives.  They perform simply, with no lights, props or sets. The theatre being performed is developed from themes the actors pick, and the stories they tell are based on their own experiences.  The theme of their spring performance is money.
 
The Troupe is directed and coordinated by Sue Perlgut and features Natasha Tall, Carol Santucci, Sue Norvell, Deirdre Silverman, Mark Silverman, Jean Senegas, Barbara West, Eva Luby.  The plays and theatre exercises performed are developed using improvisational theatre techniques, some of which will be demonstrated during the Library performance.


For more information about the Senior Citizen Troupe, contact Lifelong at 607-273-1511.

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.

The Senior Theatre Troupe of Lifelong receives grant support from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County.


Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Library to Host Non-Fiction Book Club

Tompkins County Public Library’s Truth Be Told Non-Fiction Book Club will meet May 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room for a discussion of “The Animal Dialogues:  Uncommon Encounters in the Wild” by Craig Childs.

“The Animal Dialogues” invites readers to travel alongside Childs as he journeys through the habitats of animals throughout the world and explores the intricacies, languages and patterns of the animal kingdom.

The Truth Be Told Book Club is free and open to the public.  Limited copies of the book are available for new and existing Club members at the Library’s Adult Services Reference Desk.

For more information, visit http://tcpl.org/events-exhibits/book-clubs-nonfiction.php or contact Tom Burns at tburns@tcpl.org or Stephen Salino at ssalino@tcpl.org.



Library to Host Summer Session of Fiction Book Club




Tompkins County Public Library’s “4 Seasons Book Club” will meet June 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room for a discussion of “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. 

This historical novel takes a close look at the lives of women during war from the perspective of sisters, Isabelle and Vianne Mauriac.  Set during the Nazi occupation of France during World War II, this heartbreakingly beautiful book celebrates the strength of the human spirit.

The “4 Seasons Book Club” offers online and in-person opportunities for library patrons to discuss popular and lesser-known fiction titles.   The Club’s fall session will be held on October 1. Online discussions are ongoing and require registration through Goodreads.  To register, visit http://www.goodreads.com.

For more information or to register for the in-person session, contact Adult Services Librarian Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or tvadakin@tcpl.org.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Library to Present Bilingual Storytelling Program

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Cultura Ithaca, will present “The Story of Coqui Frog,” a special bilingual storytelling program featuring Rochester storyteller Annette Ramos, May 9 at 11:30 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This fun, highly-energized and educational program will introduce young patrons, through Spanish and English storytelling, to “Coqui Frog” and the only tropical rainforest in the United States.

This program is free and open to families with children ages 5 and older and has been made possible by the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, No Mas Lagrimas, Cornell University’s Latina/o Studies Program, Center for Engaged Research and Learning, Public Service Center and Department of Compartive Literature.

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