Tompkins County Public Library

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Library to Screen “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”


Tompkins County Public Library will host a free, all-ages Blu-ray screening of the blockbuster hit, “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” Wednesday, April 6 at 5:45 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

The latest in the iconic “Star Wars” franchise, “The Force Awakens” finds Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia 30 years after their defeat of the Galactic Empire and facing a new rival in Kylo Ren and the First Order.

This screening is free and rated PG-13 for science-fiction violence.  The library will not restrict access based on age.

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

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Library to Partner With Lab of Ornithology for 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, April 27 with a discussion of “Wing Nut” by M.J. Auch, 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.

“Wing Nut” follows twelve-year-old Grady Flood and his mom, Lila, who have spent the seven years since Grady’s father died traveling.  When their old car breaks down, Grady and Lila find themselves stranded in rural Pennsylvania where Lila finds work as a cook and caretaker for eccentric mechanic and bird enthusiast, Old Charlie Fernwald—a certifiable “wing nut.”  Grady’s plans to help with Charlie’s birds and learn to fix an engine are stalled when something goes terribly wrong.

Following the book discussion, club participants will explore backyard birding with a hands-on activity facilitated by Chelsea Benson of Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. The STEAM Book Club is free and open to all third, fourth and fifth graders. April’s program will be held from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Copies of “Wing Nut” 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 Seeking Organizations to Participate in Homeschool Resource Fair


Tompkins County Public Library is seeking organizations, clubs and groups interested in participating in the Library’s First Annual Homeschool Resource Fair and Panel Discussion, Saturday, May 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Organizations providing resources to homeschool students and families are invited to register to create and staff table displays or provide posters for this informative event, which is free and open to current homeschooling families, those interested in homeschooling for the first time and those with homeschooled teens preparing for college.

This program is a perfect opportunity for local lending labs, educational programs, homeschool co-ops and classes, support groups and curricular resource groups to showcase their resources for homeschool families.

To register, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19gbZ8j9JmH2kSLus_DAg5Txn-FYzdZRLZuBTl-7LCeg/edit?usp=sharing_eid&ts=56ea24c5.  For more information, or to suggest an organization for inclusion, contact Gina Varrichio at zealth_1@yahoo.com or Regina DeMauro rdemauro@tcpl.org.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Library, Orchestra to Partner for Family Concert


Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, will present “Meet the Orchestra,” a free, family-friendly concert,Wednesday April 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the Library’s Ezra Cornell Reading Room.

This fun-filled, musical storytime will bring to life the acclaimed picture book, “Meet the Orchestra” by Ann Hayes.  “Meet the Orchestra” introduces readers to the sounds of individual instruments with lyrical descriptions and lively watercolor illustrations. 

This performance will include an opportunity for young participants to try out an assortment of instruments.

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

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Library to Host Poetry Writing Workshop


Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate National Poetry Month with “Poetry for the People: Connecting with Your Inner Poet,” a writing workshop, Thursday, April 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room-West.

Facilitated by Irene “Zee” Zahava, this workshop will provide a safe and stimulating atmosphere for participants to create and share poetry of all kinds, including haiku, list poems, group poems and more.

Zahava is a writer, poet, publisher and anthologist, and the founder of Zee’s Writing Studio. 

This program is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is required.  To register, contact Zahava at (607) 273-4675 or zee@twcny.rr.com.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Library to Host Non-Fiction Book Club


Tompkins County Public Library’s Truth Be Told Non-Fiction Book Club will meet Tuesday, May 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library’s Tompkins Trust Company Study Room for a discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ acclaimed book, “Between the World and Me.”

“Between the World and Me” offers readers a glimpse into a candid letter from Coates to his son.  The book provides a history lesson on discrimination in America, flavored with Coates’ personal experiences of contemporary race relations and offers his son--and all readers--profound insight into how to view the world.

The Truth Be Told Non-Fiction 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 Information and Learning 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.