Library of Things

TCPL offers a collection of non-traditional items such as museum passes, mobile hotspots, sewing machines, metal detectors, seeds, induction cooktops, pans, umbrellas, phone chargers, and more that you can check out and use in-house or take home with you.

These items are listed in the catalog under "Library of Things." 

We also have a list of current collection holdings at the bottom of this page. Items are available near the main entrance.

Available at the Reference desk.

We do not allow holds on passes. However, if a pass is checked in when you search our online catalog, you can call us at 607-272-4556 and we will check it out to you. If you do not pick it up before closing that day we will check it back in the next morning so it will be available for someone else. Only one pass of any kind may be checked out on a card at a time.

• Corning Museum of Glass — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles holder free admission to the museum for one adult per pass. No charge for children 17 & under.
• Hangar Theatre — Pass currently not available
  Pass entitles holder up to 4 total tickets for any Hangar Theatre Company Mainstage or KIDDSTUFF performance. Valid for unlimited use during week of checkout. Available seasonally.
• Museum of the Earth & Cayuga Nature Center — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles the holder (and family) to one visit during the lending period.
• New York State Parks Empire Pass — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles the holder to unlimited day use with the occupants in one vehicle at the time of entry. Learn more about the NY State Parks Explorer App at parks.ny.gov/explorer-app/.
• Sciencenter — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles the holder to free admission to the Sciencenter for up to two adults and their children, all living in the same household.

Salutations Seed Library is a project co-sponsored by TCPL, the Master Gardeners of Tompkins County, and the Cornell Climate Stewards. It provides free seeds and gardening knowledge for the Tompkins County community. Located near the Reference desk. 

To learn more, check out our seed library page.

Now available at TCPL, you can take home a mobile hotspot! These hotspots offer 4 GE LTE speeds and can connect up to 10 Wi-Fi devices at once. Available at the reference desk on a first-come, first-served basis.

Be sure to check the coverage area map to know if a hotspot will work for you.

Click on any object in the collection to see its page in our catalog system. Due to high demand, we are not currently accepting holds on Library of Things items.

(TEMPORARILY OUT OF ORDER)

Included with the Library of Things is a new locker station that allows you to charge your mobile phone or other small portable device.

Each locker has three charging adapters (USB-C, Micro USB, Lightning) that should allow it to charge most mobile devices.

How to use:

1. Find an available locker (green light will be on)
2. Plug in your phone
3. Select a 3-digit code
4. Turn the knob up to the red lock icon to lock
5. Scramble the number lock
6. The locker light will turn red to show it's in use

To retrieve your phone:

1. Enter your 3-digit code
2. Turn the knob down to the green lock icon to unlock

It's that easy!

Please note:

Phones cannot be used while charging.

Lockers do not indicate when charging is complete.

Only one phone per locker.

TCPL is not responsible for any lost or damaged items.