Youth Services Department to Get Therapy Dog

The Tompkins County Public Library is pleased to offer the addition of Diesel, a certified therapy dog to our Youth Services offerings.

Diesel is a sweet and patient member of the Tail Waggin’ Tutors Team. Certified by Therapy Dogs International, Diesel will help students who have difficulty with reading or self confidence by attentively listening as they read to him from their favorite books.

Tail Waggin’ Tutors is a program offered by Therapy Dogs International, which brings therapy dogs to schools and libraries to help young people develop a love of reading.

Diesel will be available for book sharing in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room beginning at 6:00 PM on the following dates:

July 23

August 13

August 27

September 10

September 24

For further information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607)272-4557 Ext.275

Tin Can Fantasy Factory to Perform During Stories in the Park

The Tompkins County Public Library will present a performance by the Tin Can Fantasy Factory, Tuesday, July 15 from 11:30 to 12:00 PM at Dewitt Park.

The Tin Can Fantasy Factory is a youth theatre troupe recognized for their amazing improvisational skills. They will perform during the library’s regularly-scheduled Stories in the Park time slot. In case of rain, the performance will be held in the library’s Borg Warner Community Meeting Room.

This program is made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation with a gift from the Ithaca Farmer’s Market.

For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at (607) 272-4557 extension 275.

Manipulated Realities Exhibit to be Displayed

Manipulated Realities, an exhibit of manipulated photography, curated by David Watkins Jr., will be on display at the Tompkins County Public Library from July 7, 2008 through September 30, 2008. A closing reception will take place, with a panel discussion exploring the motivation and artistic goals of the artists, on Thursday, September 18.

Six photographer/digital artists: Stan Bowman, Jay Hart, Jan Kather, Daniel McPheeters, Joleen Mahoney Roe, and David Watkins Jr., are participating in the exhibit. The emphasis will be on how photographic images can be manipulated for a variety of creative, personal and artistic reasons.

“While it may be a subject for debate, photographers have been ‘manipulating’ images since photography began,” Watkins said. “Early photographic artists used myriad tricks of light and chemistry in the darkroom to either create something new and different or simply improve their final image. It can be argued that the simple act of placing one's eye to a viewfinder begins to manipulate what an ultimate viewer of the image will see and respond to. In todays digital world, the ease and sophistication with which images can be changed to misrepresent "reality" causes those responsible for reporting news much concern about responsibility and ethical values.”

“This show is not about image change for misrepresentation or documentation. It is about purposeful artistic manipulation and creation ­– pushing the images' potential for art, for emphasis, for challenge and personal expression,” Watkins added.

The decision to hold a closing, rather than an opening reception, will allow library patrons and visitors to view and fully appreciate the exhibit before taking part in the panel discussion.

For further information please visit www.tcpl.org or contact Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org, or call 607 272-4557.

Art Doll Exhibit to be Displayed

The exhibit, “Art Dolls from Children's Literature", presented by the Ithaca Doll Artists, will open on July 1 at the Tompkins County Public Library. An opening reception will be held Thursday, July 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room of the youth services department.

The exhibit includes dolls inspired by mythical creatures, fairies, and leprechauns, as well as legendary characters from folklore, poetry, and classic children's stories. Other art dolls from the artists will also be on display.

Artists displaying their work include: Abby Hatfield, Annette Sharpe, Annie Zygarowicz, Carol Boyer, Cheri Sheridan, Darlene Aspinwall, Donna Faivre-Roberts, June Silberman, Maddie Thurnheer, Marlo Niederer, Penney Hughes, and Ziadiva.

The exhibit will run from July 1 through August 31. For more information about the artists, prices of dolls and special commissions, please contact ithacadollartists@yahoo.com.

For further information about the exhibit, contact Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org, or visit http://www.tcpl.org/exhibits/dolls2008/LIBRARY%20PHOTOS.pdf or the Ithaca Doll Artists’ website at http://www.ithacadollartists.com.