Tompkins County Research Service
Tompkins County Public Library will provide limited research on topics of local history or interest where the information sought is unique to the collection of the library. This service is available to individuals and/or organizations for whom it is impossible to visit the library in person. Referrals will be given for information that falls outside of the library's collection.
Requests may be submitted via surface mail or email, or by completing the form below. No more than one hour of research will be done per request. Up to ten photographed pages may be sent per request with no additional fee. The library will make every attempt to respond to a request within fourteen business days from the receipt of the request. Please note that it may take longer depending on the volume of requests.
If more detailed research on topics of local history is required, the patron will be referred to The History Center in Tompkins County or other likely sources.
Local History Online Collection
Tompkins County Public Library is pleased to provide online local history information. The library is dedicated to providing online access to relevant local history materials relating to Tompkins County and surrounding areas. Here you will find a variety of digitized materials from our print collection.
How to Request Research
Surface mail:
Tompkins County Public Library
Attention: Meghan Molloy
101 East Green Street
Ithaca NY 14850
Email: TCRS@tcpl.org
Tompkins County Research Online Form
Upcoming Events
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!
Trafficking Awareness and Clothesline Project Event Hosted by The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County
January is Trafficking Awareness Month.
Join the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County to get educated on the topic of sex trafficking and connect with local resources and organizations that assist survivors.
Makerspace Open Hours
Drop-in for Open Hours - registration is not required.
Study Buddies
The study buddies program is brought to you for Ithaca students, by Ithaca students. High school student volunteers will be matched up with younger students for homework help and general tutoring.
Family Storytime
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.
Families Learning Science Together
Children ages 5 and up and their families are invited to a free science program co-hosted by Chemists for Outreach and Graduate Inclusion (CoRGi) at Cornell University.
Baby & Toddler Playtime
Baby & Toddler Playtime is an unstructured play and social time for children and caregivers offering a warm, child-friendly space with books and age-appropriate toys.
Learn to Sew One-on-One
Learn the basics of using a modern sewing machine!
Join Therese for a one hour instructional introduction to sewing. You will learn the parts, threading, and basic use of the machine.