Award-Winning Children’s Book Authors to Visit Library

Tompkins County Public Library, in collaboration with the Family Reading Partnership, will present award-winning picture book authors Suzanne Bloom and Anna McQuinn for two exciting programs September 13.

From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., picture book lovers of all ages are invited to “Make Friends With Books,” an intimate meet-and-greet opportunity featuring read-alouds from both authors, stories about friendship, and a question and answer session.  The authors will also sign copies of their books, which will be available for purchase at the event.

Educators, librarians, parents and caregivers are also invited to attend the 3:30 to 5 p.m. presentation of “Passion for Picture Books.” During this program, Bloom and McQuinn will share personal perspectives on the importance of picture books, sign copies of their books and answer audience questions.  This program will also include a free reception honoring the authors. 

While both events are free and open to the public, advance registration for “Passion for Picture Books” is appreciated.  To register, contact kaye@familyreading.org.

 

Both programs will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

 

Bloom, of McDonough (Chenango County) is the author of “A Splendid Friend Indeed,” which has been presented to every kindergartener in Tompkins County for the past five years. 

McQuinn, of London, is the author of “Lola at the Library,” given by TCPL, for the past two years, to every baby born at Cayuga Medical Center.

For more information, contact Kaye Stone at (607)  277-8602 or kaye@familyreading.org.

 

Library to Host Candidate Forum

Candidates running for Tompkins County Judge will have an opportunity to share their platforms, ideas and goals during a 7 p.m. public forum at Tompkins County Public Library September 3.

Sponsored by the Library and the Tompkins County League of Women Voters, the forum will include all four Democratic candidates campaigning for a spot on the November ballot.  Pam Bleiwas, Joe Cassidy, Kelly Damm and Seth Peacock are vying for a their party’s support in the September 10 primary.

Each candidate will have an opportunity to offer their insight, describe their credentials and experience, and answer audience questions during the Library forum.  Kay Sharp, president of the League of Women Voters will moderate the event.

Sharp noted that candidate forums are an important tool for educating voters about candidates and issues.

“One of the League’s goals is to educate the public to facilitate informed voting,” Sharp said, encouraging voter attendance.

The elected judge will serve as magistrate for Family, Surrogate and County courts, presiding over legal matters ranging from felony cases to divorce and custody hearings.

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

 

Library to Host Storytime for Kindergarteners

Boys and girls beginning kindergarten this fall are invited to shake out their first-day-of-school jitters before the school year begins during Tompkins County Public Library’s “My First Day of Kindergarten Storytime,” August 30 at 11 a.m. 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.

This program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library’s Foundation through a grant from the Elmira Savings Bank.

Library to Host Dan the Snakeman

Kids of all ages are invited to explore the animal world at 2 p.m. August 24 as Dan the Snakeman brings his reptile show to the Tompkins County Public Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Dan The Snakeman has traveled with his reptiles to schools and libraries for more than two decades with a goal of teaching children of all ages about how important reptiles, amphibians and other cold-blooded creatures are to the environment and how wonderful they can be as pets.

Audiences will have an opportunity to touch and interact with Dan’s creatures during this free, family-friendly program. 

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

Library to Host Musical Performance by Aloja Airewele

Tompkins County Public Library will host a lunchtime musical performance by community volunteer and activist Aloja Airewele, August 22 at 1 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

“Aloja Plays from the Esan Song Book,” will feature songs from Airewele’s culture.  Born and raised in Nigeria, Airewele is a trained physician and worked in family medicine before immigrating with his family to the United States in 1997.  He currently serves as president of the Library’s Board of Trustees and is employed as a consultant for the American Red Cross and as a legislative aide for Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton.

This family-friendly program is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Brony Gathering

Teen “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,” enthusiasts are invited to share their passion for ponies during Tompkins County Public Library’s “My Little Brony Meet-up,” August 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

“My Little Pony” (MLP) started as a children's cartoon and has become a world-wide phenomenon, with adult and teenage fans—known as Bronies-- participating in online chats, creating memes and joining clubs.

Bronies will have an opportunity to meet other MLP fans, watch popular episodes and create MLP papercrafts during the Library event.  The program is free and open to tweens and teens ages 11 and up.

For more information, contact Regina DeMauro-Axel at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauroaxel@tcpl.org.

 

Library, Barnes and Noble Offer eReader Training

Tompkins County Public Library will partner with Barnes and Noble—Ithaca for “Nook Night,” a free workshop designed to help Nook users navigate their devices and learn how to download free books through the Library’s OverDrive Digital Download Service, August 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 614 South Meadow Street.

Library staff will be on-hand to offer detailed instruction and answer questions about downloading eBooks and audiobooks during this free, informal event.  Individuals are encouraged to bring their devices and library cards.

For more information about “Nook Night” or to register for one of the Library’s weekly Digital Downloading tutorials, contact Jennifer Schlossberg at (607) 272-4557 extension 254 or jschlossberg@tcpl.org.

Library to Host LED Workshop for Teens

Tompkins County Public Library and Ithaca Generator will partner to offer teens an opportunity to make their own creative circuits with LEDs.

This hands-on workshop will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. August 7 in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.  Participants will learn about hackerspaces and the maker movement while making their own LED projects.  Members of  Ithaca Generator will also discuss how they are using light and science to create art and other useful products.

Ithaca Generator is an eclectic community of inventors, crafters, designers, engineers and artists.  They offer an assortment of community events and classes at their Green Street location.  For more information, visit http://ithacagenerator.org.

This program is free; however, advance registration is required.  To register, or for more information, contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Library to Feature Two Exhibits During August Gallery Night

Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate the opening of two exhibits, “Through Their Eyes:  Grandparents and Grandchildren” and “The Barn Story,” during Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night August 2.

Curated by photographer David O. Watkins, “Through Their Eyes” explores how artists see their grandchildren or grandparents-- in reality or abstraction. Featured works were submitted during an open call for artists and encompass a variety of mediums, including: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, collage, fabric art and collaborative construction.

“The Barn Story,” an illustrated memoir by Deborah Jones, is a  56-page, barn-shaped book chronicling Jones’ experience renovating a 19^th century barn into a home and studio.  Divided into two parts, the first half of the book describes the process of converting the space, while the second half documents the results. 

Original drawings, watercolors and page-layouts created to illustrate the story will be displayed along with barn-shaped panels detailing the steps Jones followed during the creation of the book.

Downtown Ithaca’s Gallery Night takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month.  Access to the Library during Gallery Night is through the BorgWarner Community Room entrance, adjacent to the Green Street TCAT shelter.

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

Library to Host Animal Program

Tompkins County Public Library and Cayuga Nature Center will present “Amazing Animals,” an opportunity for children to learn about and view burrowing animals, July 12 at 2 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room—East.

 

Children ages five and up will be treated to lessons and up-close access to the animals during this free event.  The program is being held in conjunction with “Dig Into Reading,” the Library’s 2013 Summer Reading Program.

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

“Dig into Reading” has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from a grant from the Harmon Foundation, the Gannett Foundation, the Bradford Youth Endowment, the Elmira Savings Bank, and a grant from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds.

 

Library to Host Serling for Reading and Signing

Tompkins County Public Library will host Anne Serling for a reading and signing of her acclaimed memoir, “As I Knew Him:  My Dad, Rod Serling,” July 10 at 6 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room.

To television fans, Rod Serling was a visionary.  As creator, screenwriter, producer and narrator of “The Twilight Zone,” Serling earned praise for using  fantasy to address social issues like racism, nuclear war and mass hysteria—themes routinely censored from dramatic television. At home, however, Serling was a playmate, confidante and adoring father to his children, Jodi and Anne.

“As I Knew Him,” beautifully chronicles the behind-the-scenes life of one of the most renowned names in television history. From family nicknames to eloquently written letters, candid snapshots to memories of laughter, strength, war and family, “As I Knew Him,” offers an intimate look at the father behind the fame and proves that there is more than one gifted writer in the Serling family. 

Before pursuing a full-time writing career, Anne Serling served as an early childhood educator.  She is currently working on a novel, “Aftershocks.”  She serves on the board of directors of the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation and is involved with Binghamton School of the Arts “Fifth Dimension” program.

Serling’s Library reading is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.
 

Library to Host Lego Program

Elementary-aged children can build more than a lifelong love of reading at Tompkins County Public Library this summer!

Children in grades kindergarten through five are invited to attend “Legos in the Library,” a weekly, free-build program, Mondays from July 8 through August 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. 

Being held in conjunction with “Dig Into Reading,” the Library’s 2013 Summer Reading Program, “Legos in the Library” encourages children to use their imaginations or Lego books from the TCPL collection to create their own Lego art!  The Library will provide the Legos, and pieces created will be displayed at the Library for one week.

“Dig Into Reading”  has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with support from the Harmon Foundation, The Gannett Foundation, The Bradford Youth Endowment Fund and the Brodhead Memorial Fund.

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

 

Library to Host Graphic Novel Workshops for Teens

Teen graphic novel enthusiasts are invited to learn the techniques used in creating books in this increasingly-popular genre as Tompkins County Public Library Presents a two-part, Graphic Novel Writing Series, July 3 and July 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Facilitated by Ethan Young, author and illustrator of “Tails,” these hands-on workshop sessions will provide information about all aspects of graphic novel and comic book writing.  From the creative process to specific techniques, participants will learn what it takes to create their own graphic novels and comics.

These workshops are free and open to the public; however, advance registration is required.  To register,  contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607)-272-4557 extension 275.   

Dog Reading Program Returns to Library in July

New, reluctant and struggling readers are invited to practice reading aloud during Tompkins County Public Library’s “Dog Days of Summer” program.

Readers will be able to practice their skills by sharing a story or two with a truly non-judgmental listener—a dog—each Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon, July 3 through 31 in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Caregivers interested in reserving time for their readers to share a story with Sam, a hound mix, or DJ, a terrier, should contact the Library’s Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275 to reserve a 15-minute time slot.

“Dog Days of Summer” is co-sponsored by Cornell Companions.  For more information, visit http://tcpl.org/kids/programs.php.