Tompkins County Public Library

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Library to Launch 2017 Young Adult Book Club With “Animal Farm”


New and returning members of the Tompkins County Public Library’s Young Adult Book Club will explore the symbolism and spirit of the George Orwell classic, “Animal Farm,” Wednesday, January 18 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Members in grades six through 12 are invited to share their thoughts on one of the most famous 20th century political allegories during this free meeting.  “Animal Farm” is told from the prospective of a group of barnyard animals who revolt against their vicious human master, only to submit to a tyranny elected by their own kind.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Free copies of all Club selections are available for members to keep by visiting the Youth Services Reference Desk.

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

Support for the Young Adult Book Club has been provided by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through funding from the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund.

Library to Host Teen Movie Night



Area teens are invited to celebrate Friday the 13th with the Tompkins County Public Library during a free screening of “Ghostbusters,” Friday, January 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yaters, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldy threat.

Popcorn, pizza, and drinks will be provided. Registration is not required but is helpful for food ordering purposes. To register, visit http://www.libraryinsight.com/EventSignUp.asp?t=885467834&jx=nnv&lmx=910838.

For more information, contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org.

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.

Support for this program has been provided by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with funding from the Phyllis and Charles Brodhead Memorial Endowed Fund.

Library to Host MLK Day Program for Families


Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with “Rhythm of Courage,” a program featuring African drumming and stories about King’s life and work, Monday, January 16 at 1 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Led by community advocate Aloja Airewele, “Rhythm of Courage” will offer families of children ages 5 and up a powerful message—through storytelling and drumming--about the strength of personal convictions, including Airewele’s personal encounters with King’s colleagues and collaborators.

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 is former president of the Tompkins County Public Library Board of Trustees and currently serves as coordinator of Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Energy Warriors program.

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

Monday, December 19, 2016

Library to Host Baby Storytime


Tompkins County Public Library has announced the return of its weekly Baby Storytime for children up to 24 months old and their caregivers.

During these fun-filled 30-minute sessions, Library staff will share books, songs, rhymes, baby signs and early literacy tips.  Baby Storytime programs are followed by hour-long Baby and Toddler Playtimes, which encourage socialization and learning through unstructured play.

Baby Storytime will be held each Friday from January 6 through April 28 at 10:30 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

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

Library to Explore Human Evolution During January Gallery Night


Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth, Cornell University and Ithaca College, has announced the Friday, January 6 Gallery Night Opening of You Are Here: Exploring Human Evolution, a multi-media exhibit offering a detailed look at evolutionary history.

Through skulls, stone tools and artifacts, this exhibit will explore the lives of early hominins, offer insight on the evolutionary family tree of modern humans and celebrate the six trends credited with making humans the most cooperative species on Earth. The exhibit will be on display at TCPL through February as part of Ithaca Explores Human Origins.

Gallery Night will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., with after-hours access to You Are Here available through the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room entrance, adjacent to TCAT’s East Green Street bus shelter.

For more information, contact TCPL Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 232.  To learn about Ithaca Explore Human Origins, visit www.tcpl.org.

You Are Here is a part of Ithaca Explores Human Origins and was created with the support of Warren Allmon, Adam Arcadi, Frederick Gleach, John Gurche, Jennifer Muller, Rob Ross, Beth Stricker, Sally Grubb and Ithaca College interns, Margaret Butler and Lisa Peck.  The exhibit will be on display in the Avenue of the Friends until the end of February, 2017.

Funding for this exhibit was provided by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through the support of grants from the Tompkins County Tourism Program, New York State Council for the Humanities, the Derek and Leora Kaufman Charitable Fund and Cornell University.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Library to Offer Winter Reading Program for Adults


The Tompkins County Public Library will launch its 2017 Winter Reading Challenge, “Reading Makes Us Human,” Tuesday, January 3.

Being held in conjunction with the Library and Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth’s, “Ithaca Explores Human Origins,” a three month exploration of what it means to be human, this program is free and open to adult readers of all genres and interests.

Participants who read and review at least two books between January 3 and February 28 will be eligible to win raffle prizes.  The top two reviews, as judged by Winter Reading Librarians, will earn their authors special prizes. Reviews should be dropped off at the Adult Reference Desk.  One of the books should be an award winner of the participant’s choosing (see sample list at library.booksite.com/6631/nl/?list=CNL1&group=EB555) or a book selected from the Library’s Staff Picks lists, available at  tcpl.org/we-suggest/staff-picks.php.  There are no limitations on the second book.