Tompkins County Public Library

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Library to Host Children’s Bookmaking Program


Area children are invited to explore their creativity while learning about the art of bookmaking this spring, as Tompkins County Public Library hosts “Preschool Bookmakers.”

A four-part program facilitated by local artist Mary Beth Ihnken, this program will help children ages 3 through 5 discover the beauty of wordless books while creating their own illustration-only stories.

All supplies will be provided and children will leave the final session with their own completed book.

“Preschool Bookmakers” will be held Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m., beginning June 2,  in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

To register, or for more information, contact Youth Services Librarian Kate DeVoe at kdevoe@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 277.

This program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from the Margaret Johnstone Hilton Children’s Fund.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Library to Offer Free Space for Teens During Spring Break


Area teens are invited to create their own Spring Break fun at Tompkins County Public Library by participating in “Choose Your Own Adventure,” Thursday, April 28 from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Teens are encouraged to drop in and enjoy free space to hang out with friends and meet other teens.  The Library will provide games, snacks, craft supplies and movies.  Participants will choose how to spend their time during this self-guided afternoon of teen-only fun.

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

Library to Host Acclaimed Author Robert Morgan


Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Cornell University’s Department of English’ Creative Writing Program, will host “ ‘Chasing the North Star’ An Evening With Robert Morgan,” Thursday,  May 5 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

An award-winning poet, novelist and educator, Morgan will read from and discuss his latest novel, “Chasing the North Star, a gripping tale of survival and perseverance.

“Chasing the North Star” follows runaway slave, Jonah, on an epic journey of faith, fear and determination in pursuit of freedom, which ultimately leads him to Ithaca.  This critically-acclaimed novel masterfully melds adventure and adversity to create a timeless work of historical fiction and is laden with the poetic prose and psychological trenchancy readers have grown to expect from Morgan.

A recipient of the Academy Award in Literature by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award and the William “Singing Billy” Walker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Southern Letters, Morgan is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers and was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2010.  He has been a member of the faculty in Cornell University’s Department of English since 1971.  His bestselling novel, “Gap Creek” was an Oprah’s Book Club selection.

Morgan’s library program is free and open to the public and will include introductory presentations by Tompkins County Historian Carol Kammen, Eric Acree, director of Cornell University’s John Henrik Clarke Africana Library, and acclaimed poet, Kenneth McClane, retired W.E.B. DuBois Professor of Literature at Cornell University.

Copies of “Chasing the North Star” will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Buffalo Street Books.

For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 248.

Library to Offer Program on Summer Jobs for Teens


Tompkins County Public Library and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County will partner Tuesday, April 26 for “Get a Job!,” a program providing resources and advice for teens seeking summer employment.

Beth Bannister, joint Youth Commission manager for Cornell Cooperative Extension, will provide information about completing applications, what to wear and how to communicate during interviews and where to find job listings.  Participants will also have an opportunity to practice their interviewing skills.

This program is free and open to teens ages 14 through 19.  It will be held from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

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

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Library to Host “Four Artists”


Tompkins County Public Library has announced the April 22 installation of “Four Artists,” a multi-media exhibit curated by local art critic Arthur Whitman.

“Four Artists” showcases the work of Trumansburg-native Madeleine Bialke, former Ithacan Scout Dunbar, veteran artist Stephen Phillips and new community member Gizem Vurel.

The exhibit captures the diversity of the work of this dynamic quartet of artists and includes landscape paintings and prints, still life oils, digital cartoons and multi-technique works on paper.

An opening reception will be held during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night, from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 6.  After-hours library access is available through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance, behind TCAT’s East Green Street bus shelter.

This exhibit is made possible with support from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County and the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Library to Host Firefighter Storytime


Tompkins County Public Library will host City of Ithaca Firefighter Thomas Basher, Jr. for a special spring-themed storytime, Wednesday, April 27 at 11:30 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This early literacy-based storytime will include spring stories, fire safety tips and post-storytime crafts and snacks.

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