Library to Celebrate Currie, Unveil New Spaces

Tompkins County Public Library will host an after-hours unveiling of its much-anticipated teen center and 21^st century learning lab and a public celebration of outgoing director Susan Currie’s contributions to the Library, Friday, October 13 from 5 to 7 p.m..

Made possible by the 21^st Century Library Campaign, the new teen center and learning lab represent the Library’s commitment to meeting evolving community needs. The teen center includes space for group activity, quiet study and access to technology. The 21^st Century Lab will provide classroom space for Library and community-sponsored, computer-related programming and a fully-equipped makerspace, including a 3D printer, advanced gaming and music software.

During the unveiling, guests will explore the new spaces and see 21st century technology at work. Demonstrations of the Library’s laser cutter, 3D printer, state of the art sound recording equipment, and more will take place throughout the event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to channel their inner young adult by trying their hands at magnet-making, creating with 3D pens and capturing memories in the Teen Center photo booth.

This event will also serve as a formal opportunity for community members to honor and celebrate Currie’s impressive eight-year tenure as Library director.

Tompkins County Public Library Foundation Executive Director Suzanne Smith Jablonski said the unveiling is a fitting time to pay tribute to Currie’s commitment to TCPL.

“Susan has been a source of tireless support and advocacy for our Library,” Smith Jablonski said. “Without her leadership and commitment to the success of our 21^st Century Library Campaign, we would not have been able to bring these incredible new Library spaces to our patrons and community.”

During her time at TCPL, Currie helped establish the Library as an award-winning model for peer libraries. Among her lengthy list of successes are a building-wide reorganization, which served to flatten the Library’s supervisory structure, providing increased leadership opportunities for staff members; advancing the progress of the County Library Budget Working Group and community engagement process, designed to identify sustainable funding for the Library; the successful 21st Century Library Campaign, which helped raise over $3.5 million in support of library programs and services; increased collaborations with local businesses and not-for-profit organizations; a reduction in barriers to access for families and young adults and strengthened relationships with UAW 2300, the labor union representing the library’s professional and support staff members.

The unveiling is free. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 275-1548.