Library to Host Ithaca Motion Picture Project Exhibit, Opening Ceremony

The Tompkins County Public Library will unveil, “Timeline,” the flagship display of the Ithaca Motion Picture Project’s exhibit “Romance, Exploits and Peril: When Movies Were Made in Ithaca,” during a film splicing ceremony Thursday, September 29 at 1:00 PM in the Avenue of the Friends.

An 80-foot-long sculptural installation illustrating the chronology of motion picture history in Ithaca from 1912-1921, “Timeline” is the largest of eight displays being housed at locations throughout downtown in conjunction with “Romance, Exploits and Peril.”

The opening ceremony will be hosted by Library Director Susan Currie and feature remarks from City of Ithaca Common Council Member, Deborah Mohlenhoff ; Jean McPheeters, president, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce; and Dan Lamb, district representative of U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY22). Ithaca Motion Picture Project (IMPP) founders, Constance Bruce and Diana Riesman will also make statements during the 30-minute ceremony.

The exhibit puts the Wharton movie studio and the movies made in Ithaca in context of the history of the motion picture industry. The Wharton brothers established their studio in present-day Stewart Park and transformed Ithaca,--with its dramatic natural landscapes built around a bustling town with a thriving academic community-- into a center for early movie-making.

"IMPP’s premiere exhibition represents three years of hard work developing partnerships with local educational, cultural and tourism-related organizations, as well as community leaders who support IMPP's mission to transform the Wharton studio building in Stewart Park into a motion picture museum celebrating local silent film history. We hope Ithacans relish the exhibition as much as we have enjoyed producing it," Bruce said.

The companion exhibits to “Timeline” will be on display at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), State Theatre Box Office, The Crescent Building, Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, Cayuga Medical Center, and Petrune on The Commons from October 1st through November 6th. The exhibit “Photo Players” at Gimme! Coffee on West State Street will open September 24th.

The installations were created by award-winning architect Todd Zwigard in collaboration with Art & Anthropology, whose principals Jason Otero and Joe Lamarre are responsible for the design of the Finger Lakes Wine Center. Julie Simmons-Lynch wrote the exhibition text. Sarah Adams, V. Romanoff & Associates; Terry Harbin, Ithaca Made Movies; and Diana Riesman curated the exhibition. Video reels were produced by Constance Bruce; Ann E. Michel and Phil Wilde, Insight Productions; with assistance from Harbin.

Established and incorporated as a nonprofit by Riesman and Bruce in 2009, IMPP is committed to the preservation and celebration of Ithaca's silent film history, and the Wharton movie studio’s contribution to Central New York’s silver screen legacy. This is the organization’s first exhibit. IMPP’s ongoing activities include co-sponsoring film events with Cornell Cinema and the Park School at Ithaca College, presentations to civic organizations on Central New York’s silent film history, and producing screenings with live music, all with the intent of drawing attention to the silent films and popular serials produced here a hundred years ago.

Library eBooks Available for Kindle

The Tompkins County Public Library and the Finger Lakes Library System have announced that their eBook collection is now compatible with the world’s bestselling eBook reader, the Amazon® Kindle.

Patrons can now download popular and classic eBooks to a Kindle device or any mobile device by using the free Kindle app. To get started, visit the help guide at http://tcpl.libguides.com/overdrive or go directly to the collection at http://flls.lib.overdrive.com.

TCPL and FLLS also offer eBooks and audiobooks for use on PC or Mac computers and popular mobile devices such as a Smartphones, MP3 players, and eBook readers like the Barnes & Noble® Nook™ and Sony® Reader.

Kindle users can browse the collection of bestselling and classic eBooks from a PC or Mac computer, check out titles using a library card, and select “Get for Kindle” to deliver eBooks to their Kindle device or any device running the free Kindle app.

Visit the library’s website to download eBooks for the Kindle: http://flls.lib.overdrive.com.

TCPL and FLLS are anticipating a high demand for eBooks, so patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the Always Available eBooks with no need for holds. The libraries will continue to build their eBook collections, making new titles available on a regular basis. To receive a monthly email listing of new eBooks, visit http://library.booksite.com/6631/signup/?list=NLSGN and sign up.

The Tompkins County Public Library and the Finger Lakes Library System partner with OverDrive, Inc. (www.overdrive.com), a global leader in eBook distribution for libraries and schools, to offer this service.

Rochon to Serve as Featured Speaker At Foundation, Freedom to Read Kick Off

The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation will launch its 2011 Annual Appeal Sunday, September 25 with “One Life, Many Chapters: Books that Influence and Inspire,” a community conversation featuring Ithaca College President Tom Rochon; his wife, Amber, and author Leslie Daniels.

“One Life, Many Chapters” kicks off at 1:00 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room with a spirited talk from the Rochons, who are serving as this year’s honorary Appeal chairs, about the books that have had a lasting impact on their lives followed by an opportunity for audience participation facilitated by author Leslie Daniels.

“I encourage people to talk about books that have been meaningful at different points in their lives. What was the first book that made you a reader? What was a book that made you feel understood, or gave you a completely new perspective?,” said Daniels, whose debut novel “Cleaning Nabokov’s House,” has received rave reviews. Guests will also have the opportunity to share their stories of inspirational books in writing prior to and during the event.

Suzanne Smith Jablonski, executive director of the Library Foundation, said the program is a fitting event to launch the Foundation’s Annual Appeal—its largest fundraiser of the year---and Freedom to Read Week.

“Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—is at the core of TCPL’s mission,” Smith Jablonski said. “The Annual Appeal is an opportunity for community members to support the Library’s work to provide free and open access.”

Freedom to Read Week will also be commemorated with a reading on Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 PM by Khet Mar, writer-in-residence at the City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, an organization that provides sanctuary to writers exiled under threat of death, imprisonment, or persecution in their native countries.

Library Director Susan Currie urged Library users, current, past and prospective donors to preserve their freedom to read by contributing to the Annual Appeal at whatever level they are comfortable.

“Private contributions are essential,” Currie said. “TCPL relies on private support for annual operations, such as buying new books and other materials. Particularly this year, when County funding will be reduced considerably -- marking the third consecutive year of public funding cuts – we need appeal contributions to sustain services to children, teens, and adults who absolutely rely on the Library.”

The goal for the 2011 Annual Appeal is $65,000 toward the Foundation’s overall 2011 fundraising goal of $210,000. To give to the Appeal, visit tcpl.org and click “donate now,” mail a contribution to the Foundation c/o of the Library, drop off a check or contact Smith Jablonski at ssmithjablonski@tcpl.org.

The Annual Appeal kick off and the Freedom to Read program are free and open to the public. For more information about either program, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.

Library to Host Book Discussion Groups

The Tompkins County Public Library will offer opportunities for readers to talk about the 2011 Community Read, “Homer and Langley” by E.L. Doctorow, as Community Read Coordinator Sarah Glogowski hosts two book discussion groups, Tuesday, September 20 from 11:00 AM to Noon and Thursday, September 22 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Participants of all ages are invited to share their impressions of and discuss the relevance, themes and messages of “Homer and Langley.”

“Homer and Langley” is based on the now-folkloric lives of the Collyer brothers, whose bodies were found in 1947 amidst 100-ton of refuse---including newspapers, preserved human organs and a Model T Ford---in their Fifth Avenue brownstone.

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

LIBRARY TO HOST INTER-GENERATIONAL WRITING WORKSHOP

Collectors young and old are invited to share and write about their favorite trinkets, gizmos or gadgets at the Tompkins County Public Library Sunday, September 18 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM as Irene Zahava hosts “Swell Stuff” an inter-generational creative writing workshop.

This program is being held in conjunction with the 2011 Community Read of E.L. Doctorow’s “Homer and Langley,” which is based on the now-folkloric lives of the Collyer brothers, whose bodies were found in 1947 amidst 100-ton of refuse---including newspapers, preserved human organs and a Model T Ford---in their Fifth Avenue brownstone.

While the Collyer brothers were extreme, almost all collectors have stories to tell.

“Whether it's four fountain pens, 13 pairs of tap shoes, 99 plastic wind-up toys or 200 matchbooks, this workshop will give you the opportunity to display a small sample of your SWELL STUFF, and to write about it,” Zahava said.

Participants should bring a few items from their collection, a notebook and a pen. This workshop is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is appreciated.

To register, contact Zahava at 607-273-4675 or zee@twcny.rr.com. Zahava is the director of Emma’s Writing Center, where she has been leading Writing Circles for children and adults since 1994.

Library and Finger Lakes Independence Center Offer Writing Series

The Tompkins County Public Library and Finger Lakes Independence Center will host ‘The Topic Workshop,” a six-part writing series, each Thursday beginning September 15 and running through October 20 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Facilitated by Steve Weed, this series will focus on the topic of “discovery” and encourage participants to discuss theme-related writings by authors with disabilities, offer step-by-step instruction on writing poems, short stories and essays about “discovery” and explore how reading, writing and conversation build self-awareness.

“We see the Topic Workshop as another means to empower people with disabilities, to help make a more inclusive community, and to give people a creative voice,” said Jeff Boles, peer counselor at Finger Lakes Independence Center.

All sessions will be held in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room with the exception of the September 22 program, which will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

This program is open to the public and no previous writing experience is necessary. Participants with and without disabilities are encouraged to register. Advanced registration is requested by contacting Jeff Boles at (607) 272-2433 or flic2310@yahoo.com.

LIBRARY TO HOST HISTORICAL FICTION WRITING SERIES

Aspiring historical fiction writers will have an opportunity to share their talent and hone their craft, as the Tompkins County Public Library celebrates the 2011 Community Read of E.L Doctorow’s “Homer and Langley” with a free, Historical Fiction Writing Series.

Facilitated by Jill Swenson, writer, editor and president of Swenson Book Development, LLC, this series will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room from 6:00 to 7:30 PM each Wednesday in September.

Participants will garner valuable tools about the genre, develop skills for merging historical events with fiction and learn valuable publishing tips from an industry insider.

Swenson has served as an assistant professor of journalism at Ithaca College and the University of Georgia-Athens. She is a freelance writer, columnist and author’s advocate.

This program is free and open to writers of all experience levels. It is best suited for those 15 and older, and advance registration is recommended. To register, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org.

For more information about Swenson, visit http://www.swensonbookdevelopment.com/.

The 2011 Community Read is made possible by Cornell University and the Brooks Family Foundation.

LIBRARY TO HOST CANDIDATES FORUM

Candidates vying for the Democratic spot on the November ballot for City of Ithaca Mayor will have an opportunity share their platforms with the public Tuesday, August 30 as the Tompkins County Public Library, the Tompkins County League of Women Voters, The Ithaca Journal and the MLK Community Build host a Candidates Forum from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

Mayoral hopefuls J.R. Clairborne, Pam Mackesey and Svante Myrick will offer brief opening statements prior to answering questions from the audience. Following closing remarks, the candidates will hold a meet and greet with event attendees.

Community members are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org or Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org. Questions will also be accepted from the floor and over a live internet feed during the event.

A second forum featuring all of the Mayoral candidates will be held at the Library on Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 PM.

LIBRARY TO HOST LUNCH AND LEARN

Have an iPad, iPhone, Droid, or other app-based device and want to download free library books? Learn how during the Tompkins County Public Library’s “Lunch and Learn: OverDrive Apps for eBooks and eAudiobooks,” Tuesday, August 30 from Noon to 1:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room-East.

Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch and their devices for a user-friendly tutorial of the OverDrive Digital Download Service. Facilitated by reference librarians Jennifer Schlossberg, Sarah Glogowski and Cassandra Shortle, this program will offer personal assistance and tips for downloading books to smartphones and iPads.

Participants should bring a library card or sign up for a free card on the day of the event. A photo ID with a current, local address is required to receive a library card.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jennifer Schlossberg at (607) 272-4557 extension 254 or jschlossberg@tcpl.org.

LIBRARY, HANGAR PARTNER FOR STORIES IN THE PARK

The Tompkins County Public Library will partner with the Hangar Theatre for a special Stories in the Park Tuesday, August 30 from 11:30 to Noon at the DeWitt Park Farmer’s Market.

TCPL will share its regularly-scheduled storytime—the final Stories in the Park of 2011--- with actors from the Hangar’s Kiddstuff performance of “Goodnight Moon,” which is based on Margaret Wise Brown’s beloved children’s book of the same name. The actors will give an animated reading of the book before turning things over to TCPL’s own Kelly Doolittle for more fun-filled stories and songs.

Stories in the Park programs are most appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. In the event of rain, storytime will be held in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

The Hangar Theatre will present “Goodnight Moon” September 1 through September 3 at 10:00 AM and at Noon.

LIBRARY TO HOST WORKSHOP ON DECLUTTERING

Minimizing “stuff” and maximizing space will be the focus of “Controlling Clutter Before It Controls You,” a free workshop led by Professional Organizer Robin Schwartz being held from 1:00 to 2:30 PM, Saturday, August 27 in the Tompkins County Public Library’s BorgWarner Community Room Saturday.

This program is offered in conjunction with the 2011 Community Read of E.L. Doctorow’s “Homer and Langley,” which is based on the now-folkloric lives of the Collyer brothers, whose bodies were found in 1947 amidst 100-ton of refuse---including newspapers, preserved human organs and a Model T Ford---in their Fifth Avenue brownstone.

While the Collyer’s story is extreme, Schwartz said most people have more in their house than is comfortable for them.

“Every day we bring items into our homes without regularly taking out an equal number of items” Schwartz said. “The result is too much stuff and not enough space! This invariably leads to an inability to find anything, more time spent cleaning, a loss of efficiency, and all around stress.”

During her workshop, Schwartz will explore why people collect so many items and offer practical solutions for decluttering.

Schwartz has been a professional organizer since 1987 and also serves as the program director for the Community Arts Partnership. For more information about her workshops, visit robindeclutter.wordpress.com.

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

The 2011 Community Read has been made possible by Cornell University and the Brooks Family Foundation.

LIBRARY TO HOST POLESKIE FOR DISCUSSION/SIGNING

The Tompkins County Public Library and the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration Commission will host much-acclaimed artist and author Stephen Poleskie for a reading and signing of “The Balloonist: The Story of T.S.C. Lowe---Inventor, Scientist, Magician and Father of the U.S. Air Force,” Thursday, August 25 at 6:00 PM in the BorgWarner Community Room.

Fans of aviation and quirky historical icons will delight in Poleskie’s book---the first full-length biography of Thaddeus Lowe. Best known for organizing the Civil War’s Army of the Potomac Balloon Corps, Lowe was a true eccentric whose love of magic and science helped him mastermind a number of inventions that might well have succeeded if not for his utter lack of organization.

Poleskie is an artist, writer and photographer. His art can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He has taught or served as a visiting professor in 27 colleges and art schools throughout the world, and his writing has appeared in countless journals and reviews. He is a former Pushcart Prize nominee and has completed five full-length novels.

The Library program is free and open to the public. Copies of “The Balloonist. . .” will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org. To learn more about Poleskie, visit http://www.stephenpoleskie.com/.

LIBRARY TO HOST PROGRAM FOR NEW KINDERGARTENERS

New kindergarteners and their caregivers are invited to shake the first-day-of-school jitters before the school year begins, as the Tompkins County Public Library hosts “My First Day of Kindergarten,” Thursday, August 25 from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

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

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

LIBRARY TO OFFER COMMUNITY READ TRIVIA

Fans of the Tompkins County Public Library’s Facebook page will have an opportunity to turn their knowledge of this year’s Community Read into prizes when the Library launches Community Read Trivia Monday, August 8.

Facebook fans who have read this year’s Community Read---“Homer and Langley” by E.L. Doctorow---should visit the Library’s Facebook page on August 8 and August 22 to test their book knowledge by answering that day’s trivia question.  Winners will receive a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.

“Homer and Langley” is based on the now-folkloric lives of the Collyer brothers, whose bodies were found in 1947 amidst 100-ton of refuse---including newspapers, preserved human organs and a Model T Ford---in their Fifth Avenue brownstone.  “Homer and Langley” offers readers a fictionalized glimpse inside the Collyer brother’s home and an intimate, though imagined, look at their bond.

For more information, contact Sarah Glogowski, Community Read coordinator, at sglogowski@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 255.

The 2011 Community Read is made possible with support from Cornell University and the Brooks Family Foundation.