Local History & Genealogy
From books, to maps, and everything in between, you can find a variety of digitized materials from our local history collection. Partial funding for digitization was made possible through a grant from the Park Foundation to encourage sustainability through remote access of library materials.
You can also access HeritageQuest Online from our library computers to search census records, books, and documents for information about your ancestors. Want to search HeritageQuest from home? Log into your account, click on the Online Databases tab, and then select "Genealogy & Family Research" to see links for HeritageQuest and New York Heritage.
We can provide limited research on topics of local history or interest where the information sought is unique to the collection of the library. The Tompkins County Research Service is available to individuals and/or organizations for whom it is impossible to visit the library in person.
For additional resources, visit the following websites:
The History Center in Tompkins County
New York Heritage Digital Collections
Library of Congress New York State Guide
The Library of Congress web guide contains a variety of materials specifically relating to New York State, including manuscripts, documents, photos, books and maps. This site also provides links to websites such as:
The U.S. GenWeb Project
Genealogy websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States.
Cayuga Heights History Project
Upcoming Events
Makerspace One-on-One
What do you want to make?
NARCAN Training with REACH
Join the REACH Project to learn how to recognize an overdose, respond to an overdose emergency, and administer NARCAN. This skill could help you to save a life.
Story + Craft
Story + Craft is our weekly reading + creating event for children! Join us for a read-aloud, followed by art-making or a guided craft. Best for children 5 and up, but younger are welcome with an adult to assist.
Ages 8 to 108 Board Game Club
Are you between the ages of 8 and 108 and love playing board games? Then come join our board game club at TCPL! We meet in the Borg Warner Room on Thursdays from 5 to 7pm.
Makerspace Open Hours
Drop-in open hours, no registration required. Come for a short tour, or stay and work on a project - we have lots of art supplies and ideas to get you making!
Winter Baby & Toddler Storytime
Caregivers and their children are invited to join us for music, rhymes, movement and books. Storytime will be followed by a playtime from 11-12. Come and join the fun while building early literacy skills!
Tompkins Area VITA - Free Tax Preparation Service (Appointment Required)
This year the Tompkins County Public Library's Digital Lab will host the Tompkins Area VITA - Free Tax Preparation Service. This service is available to low-income residents of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, and is completely free as long a
Makerspace Open Hours
Drop-in open hours are back! Registration is no longer required.