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Ask a Librarian

Ask a Librarian at TCPL is available for ready-reference questions. We can provide brief answers to questions or suggest further sources to answer your question. For genealogical research questions, please visit our research services page. As with all reference questions, email and online reference questions will remain confidential.

The Information and Learning Services Reference Desk is staffed all the hours the library is open. You may call the Reference Desk during library hours at (607) 272-4556.

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Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Adults" group

Makerspace Open Hours

3:30pm–7:30pm
Adults
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Makerspace
About this event::

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!

This event is in the "Adults" group
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Schwarz Jacobson Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
About this event::

Ithaca Bookwyrms 12/18This month we're reading the second edition of Cairn, an OSR fantasy game by Yochai Gal.¹ Here is how the game is described on the official website:

This event is in the "Adults" group
This event is in the "Teens" group

The Constitution: Rights to Know

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults, Teens
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner Full
Age Group: Adults, Teens
About this event::

On Thursday, December 18 Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Tompkins County Historian and local legal experts, will conclude its Constitution: Rights to Know programming with a discussion on citizenship. 

This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group

Baby & Toddler Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::

Caregivers and their children are invited to join Cassie 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!

This event is in the "Adults" group

Makerspace Open Hours

3:30pm–5:30pm
Adults
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Makerspace
About this event::

Drop-in for Open Hours - registration is not required.

This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group

Family Storytime

11:00am–11:30am
Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::

Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills at Family Storytime. We meet each Saturday for stories, songs and hands-on fun.