- By Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty
- Around Town
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In an ongoing effort to meet patron needs, Tompkins County Public Library Director Susan Currie has announced plans to provide remote programs and services during the Library's February 10 through 19th renovation closure."We recognize just how vital access to library programs and services is to our community, Currie said, "and our staff members have shown a sincere dedication to providing that access by organizing a series of off-site programs and service points while we are closed."
The following programs have been planned:
- Family Storytime, Tuesday, February 14 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Center Ithaca—children and their caregivers will be treated to a special Valentine's Day-themed storytime, complete with fun-filled books, stories and songs.
- Break for Books, Monday, February 13 at noon, Wednesday, February 15 at noon and Thursday, February 16 at 8 p.m.—book lovers are invited to join TCPL Access and Circulation Services Librarian Asia Bonacci for special editions of the popular Facebook virtual book club, Break for Books. Readers are encouraged to visit the Library's Facebook page, facebook.com/tcplny, during any of these times to share what they're reading and learn about other titles.
- Young Adult Book Club, Wednesday, February 15 at 4:30 p.m. at Buffalo Street Books—Students in grades six through 12 are invited to attend a free meeting of the Library's Young Adult Book Club. This month's meeting will include a judgment-free discussion of "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith." Refreshments will be provided. Free copies of the book are available at the Youth Services Reference Desk for new and returning Club members.
- Digital Download Training, Thursday, February 16 from 11:30 to 2 p.m. at the YMCA of Ithaca at Tompkins County—library staff members will be on-hand during the YMCA's Healthy Senior Fair to offer training on downloading e-Books, music and more to smartphones, e-Readers and tablets. A library card from one of the Finger Lakes Library System's 33-member libraries is required. Information and assistance about downloads will be available throughout the closure via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Library has also partnered with the Tompkins County Office for the Aging to make tax forms available at the COFA office, 214 West State Street, during the closure.
A cache of resources are also available through the Library's website including digital downloads of eBooks through the OverDrive Digital Download Service, Hoopla's streaming video platform, TumbleBooks, which offers animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books and more for young readers, and Zinio, the world's largest newsstand.
No library materials will be due during the closure and DVD borrowing limits will be doubled.
The Library's renovation project is being overseen by Tompkins County Facilities, with design services by QPK Design. Bouley Construction will serve as the project's principle contractor.
Made possible through public support of the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation's 21st Century Library Campaign, a New York State and Municipalities Program Grant, sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, a New York State Public Library Construction Grant sponsored by the Finger Lakes Library System, and County maintenance funds, Library renovations will also include the construction of a digital learning lab, a teen center and additional public meeting space, to be completed this spring.
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