Tompkins County Public Library

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Library to Host 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, August 24 with a discussion of “Save Me a Seat” by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan, the STEAM Book Club will encourage area students to improve their understanding of current core competencies through critical thinking and book-related activities.

“Save Me a Seat” follows the pre-teen adventures of two boys, Ravi and Joe. Ravi has just moved to the United States from India and has always been at the top of his class. Joe has lived in the same town his whole life and has learning problems. When their lives intersect in the first week of fifth grade they are brought together by a common enemy--the biggest bully in their class--and the need to take control of their lives.

The club will meet in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room at 3:45 p.m. for discussion and refreshments. Following the discussion, participants will explore food science with hands-on activities. 

The STEAM Book Club is free and open to all third, fourth and fifth graders.

Free copies of “Save Me a Seat” 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.

Support for the 'STEAM Book Club' has been provided by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through the Michael Kammen Children's Fund and through the Bradford Endowment for Youth Services Programming.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Library to Host Nationally-Touring Children’s Musician Laura Doherty




Tompkins County Public Library has announced a free, Friday August 19 performance by award-winning children’s recording artist Laura Doherty.

Winner of multiple Parent’s Choice awards, Nappa Gold and the American Library Association’s prestigious Notable Children’s Recording Award, Doherty, of Chicago, will make a rare tour stop in Ithaca to share fun-filled, folk-pop favorites from her albums “Kids in the City,” “Shining Like a Star,” and “In a Heartbeat” with young fans.

Doherty has performed at festivals, including Lollapalooza, and at premier venues across the country and has recorded educational songs for Disney Sound with indie rocker Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World.

This program will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.  It is free and open to families with children ages 10 and under. Copies of Doherty’s CDs will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information about Doherty, visit www.lauradohertymusic.com. For information about this or other TCPL children’s events, visit http://tcpl.org/kids.php.


Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Library to Host Family Fort Night


Children of all ages and their families are invited to Tompkins County Public Library’s first “Family Fort Night” Thursday, August 4 at 6 p.m. in the Library’s Youth Services Department.

“Family Fort Night” will begin with a pajama storytime in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. After sharing silly stories and songs, families will take their fort-making supplies to the floor of the Youth Services Department and build cozy tents, castles and reading nooks. Participants are welcome to bring their flashlights and favorite blankets for added fun.

This program is free, and the Library will provide a limited number of sheets and blankets. Families are encouraged to bring their own supplies to ensure their ability to build the best possible fort.

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

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Library to Host Firefighter Storytime


Tompkins County Public Library will host City of Ithaca Firefighter Thomas Basher, Jr. for a special storytime, Monday, July 25 at 11:30 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This early literacy-based storytime will include 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.


Library to Host Sensory Science Program


Children ages 3 through 7 are invited to use their senses to explore stories, songs and hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) activities during Tompkins County Public Library’s “Sensory Science,” Thursday, July 21 at 3:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.


“Sensory Science” programs will begin with a storytime featuring interactive books, songs and movement to stimulate the senses and promote learning. July's program will explore the wonder and science of water and marine animals. Following the storytime, learners will explore the science of water with hands-on activities.

This program is free and open to children of all abilities; however, it is especially designed for children with sensory integration challenges.

To register, visit http://tcpl.org/kids/programs-sensory-storytimes.php.