Library to Host Mother/Daughter Book Club

Girls ages 8 through 12 and the special women in their lives are invited to attend Tompkins County Public Library’s monthly Mother/Daughter Book Club.

Mother/Daughter Book Club will meet once a month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Facilitated by author and educator Emily Rhoads Johnson, the Club provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to learn about themselves and others by discussing literature in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. 

Upcoming meeting dates and titles to be discussed are:

• ·         March 7—“The Ballad of Lucy Whipple” by Karen Cushman
• ·         April 11—“The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963” by Christopher Paul Curtis
• ·         May 9—“Walk Two Moons” by Sharon Creech

Participants may attend one or all of the meetings.  Registration is not required, and refreshments will be served.

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

Library to Host Teen Scratch Camp

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Envisage Systems, will host “Scratch Camp,” a day-long video game-making workshop, March 7 from 11 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Open to area middle and high school students, this program is free and will teach participants the basics of video game development.  All equipment and lunch will be provided.

Envisage Systems is an Ithaca-based software development company providing web, common remitter and workflow solutions for the retirement industry.

“Scratch Camp” requires advance registration.  To register, contact Young Adult Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauro@tcpl.org.

This program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through generous support from the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Library to Host Exhibit, Discussion on Cornell Rowing

To add to the shared experience of reading and discussing “The Boys in the Boat:  Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics,” Tompkins County Public Library’s “Truth Be Told Non-Fiction Book Club” will host a multi-media exhibit and informative discussion about Cornell University Rowing.

“The Cornell Boys (and Girls) in the Boat,” an exhibit featuring a one-man rowing scull, photographs, trophies and other artifacts from Cornell Rowing, is designed to show events from the Big Red’s storied history and showcase the similarities to events described in “The Boys in the Boat.”  

The exhibit will open in the Library’s Avenue of the Friends during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night, March 6 and run through April.

On March 11 at 7 p.m., TCPL will host Christopher J. Kerber, head coach of Cornell’s lightweight men’s rowing team, for a presentation and discussion about Cornell’s rowing program today, how it has changed since the 1930s and how the Cornell program relates to “The Boys in the Boat.”

Kerber’s talk will take place in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

These programs have been made possible through the support of Cornell University Athletics and Cornell University Rowing and are being planned in conjunction with the Library’s Truth Be Told Non-Fiction Book Club’s inaugural discussion of “The Boys in the Boat”  by Daniel James Brown.

For more information about the Non Fiction Book Club contact Tom Burns tburns@tcpl.org or Stephen Salino ssalino@tcpl.org.  For more information about this or other Library exhibits, contact Sally Grubb sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Teens Invited to Decorate Library Windows

Tompkins County Public Library invites young adults to help usher in spring by participating in a mural painting event, March 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Youth Services Department.

Area teens will join members of the Library’s Junior Library Advisory Council in painting a spring-themed design on Library windows.

This program is free and open to young adults ages 11 to 19.  Free pizza will be provided.

After-hours access to the library will be available through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance, behind TCAT’s Green Street bus shelter.

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

This program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through generous support from the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Library to Celebrate Opening of Two Exhibits During March Gallery Night

Tompkins County Public Library will feature two locally-important exhibits during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night, from 5 to 8 p.m., March 6.

Attendees will enjoy after-hours access to “Inspiring Ithacans,” a gallery of photographs and interviews featuring unsung local heroes, and “The Cornell Boys (and Girls) in the Boat,” an exhibit in conjunction with the Library’s “Truth Be Told Non-Fiction Book Club.”

Developed by Lehman Alternative Community School seniors Owen Lennon, Keegan Bakos, Billie Jo Frank, Adrienne Wooster, Adrian Clavel, Caleb Lucas, Michael Belle and Violet Briggs as part of their graduation project, “Inspiring Ithacans” includes photographs and portions of interviews with dozens of locals whose small selfless acts benefit the entire community.

The exhibit will be on display in the Library’s Avenue of the Friends through the end of March.

“The Cornell Boys (and Girls) in the Boat,” made possible by Cornell University Athletics, features a two-man scull and other artifacts and images of Cornell rowing dating back to the 1930s. 

This exhibit is a perfect complement to the start of TCPL’s new “Truth Be Told Non-fiction Book Club which launches March 3 with a discussion of “The Boys in the Boat:  Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Games” by Daniel James Brown. 

After-hours access to the Library during Gallery Night will be available through the BorgWarner Community Room door behind TCAT’s Green Street bus shelter.

For more information, contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org, (607) 272-4557 extension 232, or visit http://tcpl-exhibits.blogspot.com/.

Library to Launch Non-Fiction Book Club

Sometimes the truth really is better than fiction, and Tompkins County Public Library will explore some of these fascinating real-life stories with its newly launched “Truth Be Told:  Non-Fiction Book Club.”

This free, quarterly club will offer a judgment-free environment for adults to share insights and explore themes of selected works of non-fiction.

The first meeting of “Truth Be Told” will be held March 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and feature a discussion of “The Boys in the Boat:  Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics,”  by Daniel James Brown.

“The Boys in the Boat” recounts the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew team and the drive and determination that led them to gold at the Berlin Olympics.  This acclaimed book follows these unlikely rowers-- working-class sons of loggers, shipyard workers and farmers—on their journey to the podium, and captures the spirit and sacrifice they embodied as they faced elite rivals from around the world, including the German crew rowing for Adolph Hitler.

Limited copies of “The Boys in the Boat” are available for club members.  To reserve a copy, register for “Truth Be Told” by contacting Tom Burns at tburns@tcpl.org or Stephen Salino at ssalino@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,” February 28 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.

Pre-registration is required. To register, visit the Library’s Youth Services Department, call (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 support from the Michael Kammen Children’s Fund.

Library to Host Screening of “The Interview”

Tompkins County Public Library will host a free screening of the controversial film, “The Interview,” February 28 at 2 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

“The Interview,” follows the exploits of stars James Franco and Seth Rogen, tabloid talk show hosts who have been invited to interview North Korean dictator Kim Jung-un.  The plot thickens when the CIA requests that the duo turn their interview into an assassination mission.

The film was pulled from theatres across the country as a result of a retaliatory cyber hacking of sensitive Sony Pictures Entertainment information.

The Library screening is free and open to the public.  The film is rated R and intended for an adult audience.

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

Library to Host Helfer for Discussion About Race in America

Tompkins County Public Library will host author and educator Helen Helfer for a discussion and community conversation of her new book, “Footprints on the Land:  American Stories About Race,” February 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

"Footprints on the Land” explores--through the stories of 52 Americans of varying ages and races—issues of equality and race in cities throughout the United States.

Helfer is a professor, social justice advocate and anti-racism facilitator.  Her library presentation will focus on the controversial topic, white privilege.

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Tom Burns at tburns@tcpl.org.

Library to Offer Program on Common Core Math

Tompkins County Public Library will present “Common Core State Standards for Mathematics,” an informational program for parents and caregivers, February 25 at 6 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Facilitated by Mary Ann Huntley, senior lecturer of mathematics and director of mathematics outreach and K-12 education activities at Cornell University, this program will explore the controversy and confusion related to newly adopted math standards.

Huntley earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland and serves as a research associate for the Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum. 

Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and share their experiences with “new” math during Huntley’s presentation.

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Sarah Glogowski, head of the Library’s Youth Services Department at sglogowski@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 255.

Library to Host ESL Snack and Chat

Beginning February 25, non-native English speakers are invited to join Tompkins County Public Library for “ESL Snack and Chat Conversation Groups.”

These informal, drop-in sessions will be held each Wednesday through April  22, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room and offer a relaxed setting for practicing conversation and listening skills. The meetings will help participants discover and access language-learning resources at the Library and in the community and provide a forum for information sharing.

Snack and Chat sessions are free and open to individuals with the desire to improve their English or willing to serve as conversation partners for others. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.

There will be no Snack and Chat on April 1.

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

Community members interested in volunteering to help facilitate “ESL Snack and Chat” programs are encouraged to contact Volunteer Coordinator Yvette Rubio at (607) 272-4557 extension 226 or yrubio@tcpl.org for information about a short orientation program being held February 18.

Library to Host Screening of “The Giver”

Tompkins County Public Library will host a free screening of the summer 2014 blockbuster, “The Giver,” February 20 at 3 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Adapted from the iconic Lois Lowry novel of the same name, “The Giver” is a Newberry Award-winning social, science fiction novel that follows main character, Jonas, as he learns that the societal norms of his community are actually an attempt to shut out reality and stifle individual liberties.

This film presentation is free and open to young adults ages 11 to 19.  Refreshments will be provided.

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.

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

Library to Host “Mighty Ugly” Workshop

Arts and crafts enthusiasts of all ages are invited to Tompkins County Public Library’s “Mighty Ugly Workshop,” a program designed to rekindle creativity, February 19 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

The concept of “Mighty Ugly” was developed by author and blogger Kim Piper Werker in an effort to help creators curb perfectionism, fear of failure and self-doubt.  Her book “Make it Mighty Ugly:  Exercises and Advice for Getting Creative Even When it Ain’t Pretty,” has prompted workshops in the United States and Canada.

The program is free and open to the public.  All materials will be provided.

To register or for more information, contact Teresa Vadakin at tvadakin@tcpl.org or Kate DeVoe at kdevoe@tcpl.org.

Library, Civil War Commission to Host Discussion on Douglass and Brown

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission, will host “Hiving the Bees: Frederick Douglass and John Brown,” a presentation by Ithaca College Professor Hugh Egan, February 18 at 6 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Egan, a professor of English with a concentration in 19^th century American poetry and prose, will explore the complex relationship between Douglass and Brown, their differing strategies for ending slavery and the balance between political action and inspiring oratory.

This program takes its name from Brown’s personal plea for Douglass’ assistance in the raid on Harper’s Ferry.  “When I strike the bees will begin to swarm, and I shall want you to hive them,” Brown is said to have requested.

Egan’s talk is free and open to the public and is being presented as part of a five-year partnership between the Library and the Civil War Commission to provide opportunities for community conversation and increased awareness about the Civil War.

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