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?
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 Crafternoon 2025!
Get into the wintry spirit by creating your own crafts!
Children and families can make hand-made gifts and cards to take home to give as gifts or keep.
Tax Readiness Program
The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) is putting on a workshop to help you be prepared for the upcoming tax season.
End the year feeling ready.
Ithaca Bookwyrms: Ithaca D&D's TTRPG Reading Club
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:
The Constitution: Rights to Know
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.
Baby & Toddler Storytime
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!
Makerspace Open Hours
Drop-in for Open Hours - registration is not required.