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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
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Avenue of the Friends
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Community Groups, Other
About this event::

DO YOU HAVE A FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROBLEM? 

Has Your Tax Refund Been Withheld? Do You Owe the IRS Money? Are You Having Problems With the IRS? 

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.

 

 

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

Girls Who Code: Workshop for Tweens and Teens

1:00pm–2:00pm
Kids, Teens
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Kids, Teens
Registration Required
About this event::

Women in Computing Cornell presents a Girls Who Code beginning coding workshop. Best for grades 5-12 (or homeschool equivalent) but younger welcome if math skills are strong. Space is limited - register to save your spot!

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

Autumn Art for Kids

2:00pm–4:00pm
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
About this event::

Let your imagination soar with local artist and teacher, Stiller Zusman.  This is a drop-in program and well-suited for children ages 3-6 and their families. 

This event is in the "Adults" group
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Classes and Workshops, Community Groups, Makerspace
Registration Required
About this event::

In collaboration with The History Center in Tompkins County, patrons are invited to artistically decorate and create a cat shaped pillow, inspired by the Ithaca Kitty!

This event is in the "Kids" group
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Health & Wellness, Other
Registration Required
About this event::

Ballet & Books is a national, non-profit organization that provides children ages 3-9 with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills through a combination of dance instruction and literacy-focused mentorship with high school and college-