Latest Posts

Will Eisner Week is held every March, celebrating comics, graphic novel literacy, free speech, and the legacy of Will Eisner. This year, we'll be celebrating with a series of virtual events and a Take and Make Kit for kids and families!

2020 Income Tax Forms and Instruction Booklets Available at Tompkins County Public Library

The forms and booklets listed below are now available at TCPL, and are located at our Copy Center.  Additional forms that are not listed can be printed upon request.  Please visit the library's Adult Services reference desk for assistance.  Patrons interested in taking advantage of the library’s curbside service can submit a request by email - askalibrarian@tcpl.org, or by calling us at 607-272-4556.  For information on our pick

Test your knowledge of literature AND help support Tompkins County Public Library! Join us for a Literary-Themed Library Literati Virtual Trivia Night on Friday, February 26th starting at 7:00 pm, co-hosted by local author Bob Proehl, and Table for One, a local trivia service comprised of Clayton Covington, Gina Varrichio, and Timothy Weber.

Reserve your seat with your donation of $25!

Our annual Magazine "Sale" will look a bit different this year! Starting January 28 and continuing through the end of February, discarded magazines will be made available for FREE in presorted bundles on socially distanced tables in the Avenue of the Friends.

See what we're up to at TCPL this week!

The search for a new director for Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) is actively underway with a national advertising campaign and a 15-member search committee.

Did you know? Through our Books by Mail service and in partnership with Foodnet Meals on Wheels, you can request books and audiobooks to be sent to you via the United States Postal Service, all at no cost to you.

If you are a homebound resident of Tompkins County and a client of Foodnet Meals on Wheels, Books by Mail will allow you to receive up to two items at a time, delivered to your home.

Thank you for crafting with us! All of the current Take and Make kits have been claimed and are unavailable at this time. We're putting together a new Take and Make kit that will be available sometime in March. Any questions or comments, please contact Joah Tang, Library Assistant, by email at jtang@tcpl.org.

Announcing new “Book a Librarian” virtual meeting opportunities!

We're excited to offer patrons 30-minute one-on-one meetings via Zoom to discuss and help with a range of topics. Before COVID, a favorite task of Adult Services librarians was working with patrons and teaching new skills, ranging from computer help, to makerspace skills, genealogy, book recommendations and more. While all meetings will remain virtual for the time being, we look forward to chatting with and helping you soon!

Innovation arises out of necessity.

Here at the Foundation, we’re astounded every day by the generosity of donors like you who want to see TCPL continue to thrive and evolve.

Good afternoon,

With the Ithaca City School District switching to all virtual instruction, rising Covid-19 cases, library staff numbers already reduced, and many employees out, Tompkins County Public Library has made the difficult decision to stop Express Browsing until January 5, 2021 effective immediately.

Beginning November 30, you no longer need an appointment to use our curbside pickup service! Simply pull up in one of the designated spots on Cayuga Street, and call us using the number on the sign to let us know you’re here. We’ll get your holds checked out and bring them to your car. Please let us know if you are picking up Book Bundles.

Also starting November 30, our afternoon hours are changing--we will open at 2:00 instead of 3:00. See below for our complete hours.

Thank you for crafting with us! All of the current Take and Make kits have been claimed and are unavailable at this time. We're putting together a new Take and Make kit that will be available sometime in the new year. Any questions or comments, please contact Joah Tang, Library Assistant, by email at jtang@tcpl.org.

 In November of 2000, Tompkins County Public Library moved from Cayuga Street into the former Woolworths building on Green Street. This November marks the 20th anniversary of TCPL as you now know it, anchoring the busiest corner in Ithaca.

A lot has changed in twenty years—fresh faces, new spaces, expanded services and programs. Late fees have even been eliminated!

Kids, we miss you!  To encourage a connection with the Library along with building literacy and writing skills, children can now be penpals with the Youth Services staff by writing letters to us! Make sure to include your return address and we'll write back.  Please address letters to:

TCPL Penpals
101 E. Green St.
Ithaca, NY 14850

Any questions?  Give us a call at 607-272-4557 ext. 275 or send us an email at askalibrarian@tcpl.org.