Tompkins County Public Library

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Library to Offer Summer Film Screenings


Tompkins County Public Library invites patrons to beat the heat while enjoying an eclectic selection of current and classic films this summer, including July screenings of “Foxy Brown” and “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

On Wednesday, July 8 at 6 p.m., audiences will travel back to the 1970s for a screening of the cult classic, “Foxy Brown.”  A fast-paced, action-packed thriller, “Foxy Brown” stars Pam Grier as a powerhouse vixen determined to avenge the murder of her government-agent boyfriend.

The fun continues Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. with a screening of the 2015 hit, “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”  Picking up where its predecessor left off, this delightful sequel follows stars Judi Dench, Dev Patel, Bill Nighy and Richard Gere as they adjust to the cultural and generational differences of their new home and seek financial backing to build “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

All screenings are free and open to an adult audience.  Movies will be shown in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

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

Library to Offer Family Science Program


Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell University’s Center for Materials Research with host “Families Learning Science Together: Chemical Kinetics” July 11 from 1-2 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Families will learn how fast reactions occur with the help of fun and colorful food dyes.

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, or call (607) 255-1486.

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

Monday, June 29, 2015

Library to Host Sensory Storytime

Children ages 3 through 7 are invited to move, sing and play at Tompkins County Public Library’s “Sensory Storytime,” Saturday, July 25 at 3:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This program is free and open to children of all abilities; however, it is especially designed for children with sensory integration challenges. “Sensory Storytime” features interactive books, songs, and activities to stimulate the senses and promote learning. Children who have previously struggled to sit through other storytimes may find “Sensory Storytime” a better fit.

Participants who pre-register for the program will receive a free copy of “If You’re Hoppy” by April Pulley Sayre. To register, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275, or email Youth Services Librarian 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 through funding provided by the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County and Tom and Maria Eisner’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.



Library to Host “World War Z” Book Club

Adults are invited to celebrate summer reading by participating in a Tuesday, August 11 discussion of “World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War” by Max Brooks.

Being held in conjunction with “Escape the Ordinary at TCPL,” the Library’s 2015 Adult Summer Reading Program, this event will encourage readers to experience the bond of discussing a common title in a lively, judgment-free environment.

“World War Z” is a highly-acclaimed, apocalyptic horror novel chronicling—through interviews with survivors—the devastation of the “Zombie War.”

The discussion will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room-West and is free and open to an adult audience.  Limited copies of the book are available for participants to borrow.

Participants in the Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program will be entered into weekly drawings for prizes donated by local businesses each time they read a book and complete a simple form.  Forms include title, author, rating and comment fields.  Each book read earns registrants one entry into the drawing.

To register for “Escape the Ordinary at TCPL,” visit http://tcpl.org/events-exhibits/summer-reading.php and access online registration courtesy of Evanced Summer Reading Software,visit the Library’s Adult Reference Desk, or contact Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272, tvadakin@tcpl.org, or Stephen Salino at ssalino@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 249.

Library to Host Paint Chip Art Program

Arts and crafts enthusiasts are invited to attend Tompkins County Public Library’s free “Paint Chip Skyline” workshop, Thursday, July 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room-West.

Held in conjunction with “Escape the Ordinary at Your Library,” TCPL’s 2015 Adult Summer Reading Program, this workshop will allow participants to exercise their creativity by constructing a city, town or rural skyline out of paint sample cards donated by Home Depot of Ithaca.

This program is free and open to an adult audience.  Basic supplies will be provided. Pre-registration is not required.

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


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Library Announces Gaming Program for Teens

In celebration of “Unmask: Discover the Reader Within,” New York State’s 2015 Summer Reading Program, Tompkins County Public Library will host “Super Game On Summer,” a weekly gaming program for students ages 11 through 19.

Held each Monday from 3 to 5 p.m., July 6 through August 24 in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room, “Super Game On Summer” will encourage participants to connect with other teens through the superhero-themed role playing game, Marvel’s Legendary, and a selection of other RPG and traditional board games.

“Super Game On” programs are free and open to all area teens.  For more information, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 274.


This program is made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through funding from the Harmon Foundation, the Brooks Family Foundation, the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Library Announces 2015 Community Read

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Cornell University’s New Student Reading Project, has announced the selection of “Slaughterhouse-Five,” by Kurt Vonnegut, as the 2015 Community Read.

Published in 1969, “Slaughterhouse-Five” is recognized as Vonnegut’s most popular book--blending science-fiction with historical facts, notably Vonnegut’s own experience as a prisoner of war in Germany during the Allied firebombing of the city Dresden in early 1945.

Copies of “Slaughterhouse” will be available for circulation at TCPL beginning July 1.

Now in its 14th year, the Community Read encourages community members to experience the bond of literature by reading and discussing the same title. 

Programs related to the 2015 Community Read will be announced in the coming weeks.


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.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Library to Offer Super Hero and Comic Writing Workshops for Teens

In celebration of its 2015 Teen Summer Reading Program, Tompkins County Public Library will host “Unmask:  Discover the Writer Within,” a free writing workshop series for students ages 11 through 19.

Facilitated by former Tompkins County Poet Laureate Katharyn Howd Machan, this eight-part series will offer insight into creating super hero and comic stories.  

Participants are invited to attend one or all eight workshop sessions.  Workshops will be held Tuesdays from July 7 through August 25 from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

These workshops are free.  Registration is preferred.  To register, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 274.

Support for this event comes from the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation thanks to funding from the Harmon Foundation, the Brooks Family Foundation, the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.




Library Announces Summer Reading Kick-Off Party Starring Moreland the Magician

Tompkins County Public Library will launch its 2015 Summer Reading Challenge at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 27 with a family-friendly party starring Moreland the Magician.

Join Moreland as he searches, with the help of his audience, for everyday heroes, famous heroes, and superheroes during this 45-minute family-friendly show, which blends magic, puppetry and comedy. The performance will culminate in a musical skit starring children from the audience.

This program is being held in celebration of the Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, “Every Hero Has a Story.” Attendees will have an opportunity to register for the Summer Reading Challenge and enjoy superhero-themed crafts and balloon animals.  Ice cream will also be served.

The program will be held in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room and is free and open to the public.


Support for the Summer Reading Kick-Off comes from the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation thanks to funding from the Harmon Foundation, the Brooks Family Foundation, the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Library to Offer Book and Movie Discussions

Tompkins County Public Library will offer an opportunity for students entering grades 3 through 5 to explore the evolution of books from the printed page to the big screen this summer by participating in the “Print to Popcorn” book and movie discussion group.

“Print to Popcorn” participants will read popular books and watch their film counterparts and then engage in fun, judgment free discussions about both versions.

Group sessions will be held on Thursdays, July 9 and 23 and August 6 and 20 at noon in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.  During the first session of each month, participants will receive a free copy of the selected book and enjoy pizza and snacks while completing fun-filled activities.  During the second session of each month, participants will watch the film-adaptation of the book and compare and contrast the print and movie versions.

July’s title is “The Spiderwick Chronicles:  The Field Guide” by Tony DiTerlizzi. August’s title is “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick.

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.

“Print to Popcorn” is being held in conjunction with the Library’s 2015 Summer Reading Program, “Every Reader Has a Story.”
Registration is required.  To register, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

TCPL’s 2015 Summer Reading Programming has been made possible with support from the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation thanks to funding from the Harmon Foundation, the Brooks family Foundation, the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Library to Host Weekly Meditation Sessions

Tompkins County Public Library will host free, weekly mindfulness meditation sessions each Wednesday from 12:10 to 12:45 p.m. beginning July 1, in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Facilitated by psychotherapist and Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Anna Salamone, RN, LCSW, these sessions will encourage participants to shift out of "automatic pilot" mode and observe the workings of the mind, body, and emotions.
Mindfulness practice has been touted as a means for reducing stress, improving attention, boosting the immune system, reducing emotional reactivity and promoting a general sense of health and well-being.

Salamone received extensive training from The Center for Mindfulness, Healthcare, and Society founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and has been leading classes in Ithaca since 2007.


These sessions are free and open to the public.  For more information, visit www.annasalamone.com, or http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/, or contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 248.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Library to Launch Teen Summer Reading With “Guardians of the Galaxy” Screening

Area teens are invited to celebrate the launch of Tompkins County Public Library’s superhero-themed summer reading program during a free film screening of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Friday, June 26 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

The Library’s Teen Summer Reading Program, “Unmask: Discover the Hero Within,” begins June 29 and offers an opportunity for students in grades 6 through 12 to earn prizes by reading for at least 20 minutes each day.  Upon registration, teens will receive a free book of their choice.  Those who complete and return a Summer Reading Game Board before August 29 will receive a TCPL water bottle and be entered into a drawing to win prizes from an assortment of local businesses, including Enchanted Badger, Buffalo Street Books, Viva Taqueria, Regal Cinemas and Comics for Collectors.

This movie has been selected with a teen 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 or maturity.

After-hours access to “Guardians of the Galaxy” will be available through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance, adjacent to TCAT’s East Green Street bus shelter.

Additional Teen Summer Reading Programs are being planned.  All programs are free and open to young adults ages 11 to 19.  For a complete list of programs or more information, visit tcpl.org/teens/srp.php, or contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 274.

Teen Summer Reading and its related programming is made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from the Harmon Foundation, the Brooks Family Foundation, the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Library to Offer Summer Reading Programs for Children & Teens

Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate summer with the Wednesday, June 24 launch of free reading programs for infants, toddlers, school-aged children and teens.

Programs being offered for 2015 are:

READ TO ME (Pregnancy through Age 4): “Read to Me” encourages parents, parents-to-be and other caregivers to foster a love of reading at an early age.  Registrants who complete a Reading Bingo Card--featuring ideas on incorporating early literacy activities in their everyday routines--will receive a free book and a chance to win gift certificates from local merchants. For more information and to download Reading Bingo Cards, visit:
http://tcpl.org/kids/programs-summer-pre-reader.php.

EVERY HERO HAS A STORY! (Ages 5 through 10):
 “Every Hero Has a Story!” is designed to promote reading for children ages 5 through 10.  Participants are encouraged to read every day during the summer months. Children who keep track of the time they spend reading will receive a free book and the chance to win raffle prizes. For more information and to download a Time Tracking Log, visit: http://tcpl.org/kids/programs-summer.php.

UNMASK: DISCOVER THE HERO WITHIN (Tween & Teen Challenge):  Teens can participate in Summer Reading 2015 by keeping track of the time they spend reading for a chance to earn prizes. All teens receive a free book with registration. For more information, a full list of teen programming and great book suggestions, visit: http://tcpl.org/teens/programs.php.

For more information about any of TCPL’s summer reading programs, contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Support for the Summer Reading Program comes from the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation thanks to funding from the Harmon Foundation, the Brooks Family Foundation, the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Library to Offer Summer Film Screenings

Tompkins County Public Library will offer regular film screenings this summer, beginning with June showings of “Lucy” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”

“Lucy,” directed by Luc Besson, stars Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman and follows title character, “Lucy,” as she discovers that she has developed psychokinetic powers after a nootropic drug is absorbed into her bloodstream. It will be shown at 6 p.m., June 17 in the BorgWarner Community Room-East.

Also being shown in June is the acclaimed “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” which boasts an all-star cast, including Colin Firth, Michael Caine and Samuel L. Jackson.  The film tells the story of an unrefined street kid’s recruitment into the highly-competitive training program of a spy organization just in time to help thwart a threat from a malicious tech genius.

“Kingsman:  The Secret Service” will be shown on June 24 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room-East.

Both films are intended for an adult audience; however, admission will not be restricted based on age.

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


Thursday, June 4, 2015

Library to Host June 19 Exhibit Opening

Tompkins County Public Library will unveil “Dreamtime: Surreal and Fantastic Art,”  the third exhibit in its 2015 Year of Art at Your Library series, during a special public reception from 6 to 8 p.m., June 19.

Curated by State of the Art Gallery working artists Frances Fawcett and Margaret Nelson, “Dreamtime” is a multi-media exhibit featuring the work of 23 local and regional artists.  All of the original sculpture, photography and traditional and digitally-created multi-media pieces included in the exhibit have a surreal or fantasy theme.

The opening reception is free and open to the public and will include a discussion by Fawcett and Nelson on the genesis of the exhibit and how pieces were selected for inclusion.  Artists will also be on-hand to discuss their work and explain the surreal and fantastic elements of their pieces.

“Dreamtime” will be on display through September 15.  After hours library entry for the opening reception will be through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance, adjacent to TCAT’s East Green Street bus shelter.

For more information, contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Library to Offer Family Movie Nights

Families are invited to beat the summer heat and enjoy free family films, popcorn and air conditioning, as Tompkins County Public Library hosts three summer Family Movie Nights.

Being held in conjunction with “Every Reader Has a Story,” the Library’s 2015 Summer Reading Program, Family Movie Nights will be held June 29th, July 20th, and August 17th at 6 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. 

Featured films are:

June 29—“Big Hero 6”
July 20—“Dolphin Tale”
August 17—“The Incredibles”

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.

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

TCPL’s 2015 Summer Reading Programming has been made possible with support from the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation thanks to funding from the Harmon Foundation, the Brooks family Foundation, the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund and the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.


Monday, June 1, 2015

Library to Host Miller for Reading and Discussion

Tompkins County Public Library will host Nina Miller for a reading and signing of her new book, “The Mother of Invention,” Wednesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Miller’s first full-length novel, “The Mother of Invention” is set in a town “a lot like Ithaca” and explores the challenges of marriage, friendship, parenting, aging, activism and loss with humor and heart-wrenching candor.

The former executive director of Hospicare of Ithaca, Miller has penned more than 20 published short stories for literary reviews and anthologies, as well as a non-fiction book on crisis intervention.

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.









Library to Host Sensory Storytime


Children ages 3 through 7 are invited to move, sing and play at Tompkins County Public Library’s “Sensory Storytime,” Saturday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This program is free and open to children of all abilities; however, it is especially designed for children with sensory integration challenges. “Sensory Storytime” features interactive books, songs, and activities to stimulate the senses and promote learning. Children who have previously struggled to sit through other storytimes may find 
“Sensory Storytime” a better fit.

Participants who pre-register for the program will receive a free copy of “Tap the Magic Tree” by Christie Matheson. To register, call the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275, or email Youth Services Librarian 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 through funding provided by the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County and Tom and Maria Eisner’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.