Library to Host Program on Medicine and Healing

The Tompkins County Public Library will host Cornell University Professor Stacey Langwick for a presentation of “Medicine and Healing:  Navigating Life and Death,” September 12 at 6 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Being held in conjunction with the 2012 Community Read of Romain Gary’s “The Life Before Us,” this program will explore what “health” means in various healing traditions, examine how different groups define sickness, misfortune and caregiving and offer an intimate look at the personal realities of life and death.

Langwick, an associate professor of Anthropology, borrows ideas and inspiration from “The Life Before Us,” and its characters’ relationships with medicine for this fascinating discussion.

“The Life Before Us,” is told by Momo, an orphaned Arab boy and Madame Rosa, the former lady of the night who cares for him and an ever-changing cast of children with the aid of monthly checks she receives from their prostitute mothers.  When the checks stop coming and Madame Rosa’s health begins to fail, the book’s real stories of love, belonging, identity and loss begin to emerge.

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Community Read Coordinator Sarah Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255 or sglogowski@tcpl.org.

****Please note, the date and location of this program have been changed from previous Community Read publicity.

Library to Host Schwarz for Reading and Signing

The Tompkins County Public Library will host Professor Daniel R. Schwarz for a discussion and signing of his much-acclaimed book, "Endtimes?: Crises and Turmoil at The New York Times," September 11 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

An award-winning teacher and gifted speaker, Schwarz is the Frederic J. Whiton Professor of English Literature and a Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow at Cornell University.  He has written a lively, readable, and informative portrayal of "America's most important newspaper" which he calls "the worst newspaper in the world except for all the others."

"Endtimes?" masterfully explores, through more than 40 in-depth interviews--including those with every living editor and the current publisher--the struggles, controversies and triumphs of The New York Times during the first decade of the 21st century.

From major editorial mistakes and irresponsible reporting--including the claim that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction-- to competition from 24-hour television news channels and an increasing number of free news outlets, Schwarz expertly describes where the newspaper has been, where it is,  and where it is headed.

This program is free and open to the public.  Signed copies of the book-will be available for purchase at the event courtesy of Buffalo Street Books.

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

Library to Host Talks on Foster Care and Adoption

In conjunction with its current exhibit “Heart Gallery,” the Tompkins County Public Library will host representatives from the Tompkins County Department of Social Services for discussions on adoption and foster care September 7 at 5 p.m. and September 12 at noon.

A photographic exhibit of foster children awaiting forever families, “Heart Gallery” is designed to raise awareness about the need for foster and adoptive families in Central New York. 

Portraits included in the exhibit were photographed by members of the Professional Photographer’s Society of Central New York and private photographers.  The images will be on display at the Library through October 5.

People interested in learning more about foster care and adoption are encouraged to attend one of the discussions, which will include brief remarks followed by question and answer sessions.

For more information about the exhibit or presentations, contact Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org. 

To learn more about adoption in New York, visit the New York State Office of Children and Family Services website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us or contact Debbie McKane at the Homefinding, Adoption, and Foster Care Unit of the Tompkins County Department of Social Services at (607) 274-5259.

Library to Offer Gallery Night Exhibit Access

The Tompkins County Public Library will showcase an assortment of thought-provoking and timely exhibits during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night from 5 to 8 p.m. September 7.

Being highlighted during Gallery Night are: “Farewell,” an exhibit of ceramic birch sculptures created by nationally-exhibiting, renowned sculptor Eric Seritella, “Banned Books, a display of books torn from the shelves of school and public libraries, “Drawing on Democracy,” an exhibit that challenges the meaning and interpretation of the word “democracy” and “Heart Gallery,” an exhibit of photographs of available foster children waiting for forever families. 

“Farewell” marks Seritella’s last local show before his family relocates and showcases his magnificent, hand-carved ceramic trompe l’oeil creations which transform clay into life-like birch sculptures.

In celebration of TCPL’s Freedom to Read Week, the library will highlight “Banned Books,” a display of books that have been challenged or banned from schools, public libraries and by national governments due to their content. 

This provocative exhibit is designed to remind readers of the importance of access to uncensored literature.

“Drawing on Democracy,” offers a glimpse into the definition of “democracy” according to nine local artists.

Curated by Terry Plater, “Drawing on Democracy,” features multi-media pieces by Ben Altman, Stan Bowman, Jane Dennis, Yvonne Piburn, Steven Phillips, Nancy Ridenour, Werner Sun, Marion Van Soest and Plater and offers a visual and hands-on exploration of democracy.  Issues explored by the exhibit include:  the honorable treatment of children, the unambiguous recognition of religious freedom, the flag as a metaphor for inclusion or as a fabric of disarray, the spectrum of public participation and the notion of artistic expression and creation.

“Drawing on Democracy” is supported by a grant from the Community Arts Partnership.

The final exhibit, “Heart Gallery” showcases photographs of children who have been cleared for adoption by New York State.  Local Foster/Adoption advocates will offer a presentation on fostering and adopting older children at the Library from 5 to 6 p.m. during Gallery Night.

Gallery Night is free and open to the public.  Access to library exhibits during this event will be through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance, which is located under the awning behind the Green Street TCAT bus shelter and adjacent to Gimme! Coffee.

For more information about these or other library exhibits, contact Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Library and FLIC Partner for Writing Workshops

The Tompkins County Public Library and the Finger Lakes Independence Center have partnered for the return of the popular “Topic Workshop” series Thursdays from September 6 through October 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Launched in 2011, the “Topic Workshop” uses reading, writing and conversation to understand a specific theme.  This year’s theme is “value,” and participants will learn step-by-step processes for writing poems, short stories and personal essays that express their views on the theme and discuss works that relate to “value” published by authors with disabilities.

These workshops are free and open to the public and will be facilitated by Steve Weed.  Individuals with and without disabilities are encouraged to discover how reading, writing and conversation help build self-awareness.

To register, or for more information, contact Jeff Boles at (607) 272-2433, flic2310@yahoo.com or Weed at (607) 275-9598, stevensweed@yahoo.com.

Library Offers eReaders for Teens

The Tompkins County Public Library has announced the addition of six Nook Simple Touch™ eReaders to its teen collection.

Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro-Axel said eReaders are an important tool to keep young adults engaged in reading and to ensure that they are afforded access to emerging technology.

“We recognize that teens live in a fast-paced, technologically advanced world and we want to help them learn to thrive in that environment,” DeMauro-Axel said.  “It is our hope that by promoting the use of eReaders and eBooks, teens will become comfortable with a new technology and help cement their comfort with the constantly evolving digital world.”

Each Nook® has been pre-loaded with 200 popular young adult titles in a variety of genres and can be borrowed—with a valid library card—for up to three weeks.

The devices were purchased by the Library with the support of the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through generous grant funding from the Triad Foundation.

For more information about TCPL’s teen services and programs, contact DeMauro-Axel at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauroaxel@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Book Discussion Groups

The Tompkins County Public Library will offer opportunities for readers to talk about the 2012 Community Read, “The Life Before Us” by Romain Gary, as Community Read Coordinator Sarah Glogowski hosts two book discussion groups September 5 at 11 a.m. and September 6 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room West.

Participants of all ages are invited to share their impressions and discuss the relevance, themes and messages of  “The Life Before Us” in a judgment-free and welcoming environment.

“The Life Before Us,” is told by Momo, an orphaned Arab boy and Madame Rosa, the former lady of the night who cares for him and an ever-changing cast of children with the aid of monthly checks she receives from their prostitute mothers.  When the checks stop coming and Madame Rosa’s health begins to fail, the book’s real stories of love, belonging, identity and loss begin to emerge.

This program is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is requested. To register, contact Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255 or sglogowski@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Author of “Ithaca”

Celebrate the history, architecture, institutions and people of Ithaca as first-time author Mary Williams provides an illustrated look at her new book “Ithaca,” August 29 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Part of the Images of America series, produced by Arcadia Publishing, “Ithaca” provides a photographic journey through time, with nearly 200 historic images from the 1860s to the1970s.  All of the images featured in the book are from the History Center of Tompkins County’s collections, and many have never been published before.

Williams conducted much of her research for the book while working as the research librarian for the History Center.  She is currently employed by Cornell University and GreenStar Cooperative.

This event is free and open to the public.  Copies of the book will be available for purchase during the program, courtesy of Buffalo Street Books.

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

Library to Host Storytime for Kindergarteners

Boys and girls starting kindergarten this fall are invited to shake out their first-day-of-school jitters before the school year begins during the Tompkins County Public Library’s “My First Day of Kindergarten Storytime.”

Due to the popularity of this program, two sessions are being offered.  The first will be August 29 at 2 p.m., and the second will be August 30 at 11 a.m.; both will be held in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Open to all children entering kindergarten in the Ithaca and surrounding districts, this program will include stories, songs and a craft.

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

Library to Host Music Duo

Help the Tompkins County Public Library put another year of Summer Reading in the books, with a Summer Reading Wrap-Up Celebration featuring music duo Nate and Kate, August 18 at 2 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Nate and Kate will offer an eclectic blend of traditional folk music for children played on cello, guitar, banjo, harmonica and kazoos!

This program is free and open to the public and has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with the support of M & T Bank, The Brooks Family Foundation and a grant from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds.

Library to Host Program on Conduct Literature

The Tompkins County Public Library will host award-winning SUNY Cortland English Professor Denise Knight for a presentation of “‘One is Not Fond of Overripe Pears’”: Conduct Literature and the Call for ‘True Womanhood’” August 16 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Held in conjunction with the 2012 Community Read of Romain Gary’s “The Life Before Us,” Knight’s lecture will explore cultural assumptions about “appropriate” conduct and appearance of women in America from the late 19^th century through World War II.

By highlighting social etiquette guides, medical advice books and training manuals for male supervisors of women workers, Knight will illustrate how literature placed pressure on women to attain beauty, practice deference and exercise self-control.

This program is free and open to the public and has been made possible by the New York Council for the Humanities.

“The Life Before Us,” is told by Momo, an orphaned Arab boy and Madame Rosa, the former lady of the night who cares for him and an ever-changing cast of children with the aid of monthly checks she receives from their prostitute mothers.  When the checks stop coming and Madame Rosa’s health begins to fail, the book’s real stories of love, belonging, identity and loss begin to emerge.

Multiple copies of the book are available to borrow from the Library’s collection, courtesy of Cornell University.

For more information about Community Read programming, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.  For more information about the Community Read, or to request free copies of the book for a book group or not-for-profit organization, contact Community Read Coordinator Sarah Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255 or sglogowski@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Monster Storytime

Don’t be afraid of monsters, celebrate them with Monster Storytime at the Tompkins County Public Library! 

Children of all ages will enjoy stories, rhymes, songs and a monster craft during this storytime tribute to things that go bump in the night at 11 a.m., August 15 in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. 

This event is held in conjunction with Dream Big, Read, the Library’s 2012 Summer Reading Program and has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from M&T Bank, the Brooks Family Foundation and a grant from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds

Monster Storytime is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Library to Host Amazing Animals

The Cayuga Nature Center will showcase an assortment of “Amazing Animals” August 10 as they bring their furry nocturnal friends and radical reptiles to the Tompkins County Public Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Children ages five and up will be treated to lessons and up-close access to the animals during this free 2 p.m. event, which is being held in conjunction with Dream Big, Read, the Library’s 2012 Summer Reading Program.

Dream Big, Read, has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from M&T Bank, the Brooks Family Foundation and a grant from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds.

This program requires advance registration.  To register, or for more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Library to Offer Haunted History Tour for Teens

Space is still available for teens on the Tompkins County Public Library’s August 9 “Own the Night Haunted History Tour”.

Participants will meet at Center Ithaca at 7 p.m. and be led by Gorges Events and the Mystery & Adventure Agency on a fun-filled haunted history tour of downtown.

This program is free; however, advance registration is required.  To register, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275. 

Own the Night, the 2012 Teen Summer Reading Program, has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through generous gifts from the Bradford Youth Programming Fund and the Brooks Family Foundation.