Tompkins County Public Library Announces ‘07 Community Read Selection

The Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Cornell University’s New Student Reading Project, announced the selection of Nadine Gordimer’s The Pickup as the subject of its sixth annual Community Read.

Nominated for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, The Pickup chronicles the complex relationship of a wealthy South African woman and an illegal Muslim immigrant. Themes of home and belonging, class-structure, ethnicity and morality encourage readers to question their own identities.

“The Pickup is a timely book with intricate messages about immigration, self-reflection and inter-cultural love,” explained Sarah Glogowski, adult services librarian and Community Read coordinator at TCPL. “We are excited to offer it to the community as this year’s title.”

The Community Read began in 2002 with the reading of Frankenstein. In subsequent years, the community was encouraged to read Antigone, The Trial, Things Fall Apart and The Great Gatsby. The library and Cornell work cooperatively to offer an assortment of programs related to each Community Read. TCPL will announce information related to this year’s events as they become available.

The Community Read is one of only a handful in the country that involves a partnership between a university and community members. That partnership is one of the key components to the success of the Community Read according to Glogowski.

“Reading together creates an opportunity to reach across barriers, to connect with new people and ideas, and to talk with others about things that matter in life. When people read great literature, the experience stimulates them to think about themselves, their relationships, and their surroundings,” Glogowski said.

Through the generosity of Cornell, TCPL has 350 copies of The Pickup in circulation, and free copies are available for book groups by contacting Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255.

Tompkins County Public Library Announces New Tools for Readers

Finished that summer reading list? Looking for more great books to read? Look no further-- the Tompkins County Public Library brings you BookLetters.

BookLetters delivers reading list newsletters directly to your email to help you stay up-to-date on new and noteworthy books. Log on to www.tcpl.org to subscribe to BookLetters’ mystery, audio, book club choices, best sellers, new fiction, non-fiction bestsellers, romance and science fiction/fantasy lists and get book jacket illustrations, reviews and summaries about selected titles.

For more information about BookLetters, contact Sarah Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255 or call the Adult Reference Desk directly at (607) 272-4556.

All Good Things Must Come to an End. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Book Release Party on July 21

Tompkins Public Library has planned a party to commemorate the publication of the final book in the popular Harry Potter series. Complete with Potter-themed food, crafts, games, and read-alouds, the event takes place on July 21st @ 10:15 in the Borg Warner Room.

28 copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be available for checkout on July 21st 10:00 am. The Harry Potter Book Release Party is made possible thanks to a grant from the Brooks Family foundation. Registration is not required. For more information contact the youth services department @ 272-4557 X 275, or visit online at www.tcpl.org/harrypotter7.

Two by Eight on Equity and Aesthetics – an Exhibit of Art Curated by Terry Plater

Two by Eight on Equity and Aesthetics in which local artists address two pressing concerns of constant interest: equity and aesthetics – will by on display at Tompkins County Public Library July through September 2007. The opening reception will be held on July 19, 2007, in the Borg Warner Community Room from 5:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. The artists will be talking about their work at 6:00 p.m.

Terry Plater, the curator of the exhibit, states “addressing the need for equity and aesthetics in my own life – and often negotiating a tension between the two – has been a constant preoccupation. In this exhibition, local artists will approach these two conditions or states of being in a series of works.”

The artists include Milton Curry, architect; Raymond Dalton, artist; Gregory Page, artist, and Terry Plater, artist.

You are invited to explore the interesting themes addressed by the artists as they look at dance, the monumental design in floral images, urban landscape and social housing, and more personal familial images.

The exhibit is made possible with grant support from the Community Arts Partnership.

Meet and Greet Anne Mazer - Local Author, Anne Mazer Introduces Her New Series, SISTER MAGIC

On July 5th at 7:00 PM, the Tompkins County Public Library and Bookery II present an opportunity to meet and greet local author Anne Mazer and celebrate the launch of her new series, Sister Magic. Anne is most famous for her popular series, The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes, and her award-winning picture book, The Salamander Room. If you are between the ages of 6 and 10, then Sister Magic is just right for you. The presentation and discussion will be followed by fun and refreshments in the Thaler/Howell Room of the Youth Services Department. Books signed by the author will be available for purchase at the event. This program is made possible by a grant from the Brooks Family Foundation.

For more information please contact the Youth Services Department at 272-4557 ext 275.

Harry Potter Writing Raffle - The End Has Come, but What Will Happen?

Tell us in 45-65 words what you think will happen in the final book or be creative and write the last paragraph and you will be entered into a raffle to win a copy of the latest and last Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Entry forms are available in the Youth Services department or can be submitted online @ www.tcpl.org/harrypotter7. Completed entries will be posted in the library and to the children’s blog for all to ponder. The winner will be telephoned on July 21st. Your Entry must be submitted by July 20th @ 3:00 p.m. Please submit one entry per person. All ages may enter. For more information please contact the Youth Services department @ 272-4775 X 275.

ART Inspired Dolls

An exhibit of original dolls created by members of the Ithaca Doll Artists
On display at Tompkins County Public Library July 1 to July 31, 2007

Ithaca’s Doll Artists accepted a new challenge this year – to create dolls inspired by works of art or book illustrations.

The Girl With The Pearl Earring by June Silberman inspired by Jan Vermeer’s painting of the same name.

The Pearl Necklace by Annette Sharpe inspired by Johannes Vermeer’s painting of the same name.

Queen Henrietta by Penny Hughes inspired by a painting by Anthony Van Dyck.

Charlotte's Web by Maddy Thurnheer inspired by E.B. White's books Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little.

E.B. White by Maddy Thurnheer inspired by his children's books.

Piper With The Rat by Annie Zygarowicz inspired by Maxfield Parrish.

The Doll Artists also participated in a round robin challenge where the naked body and head of a doll was passed from person to person and each artist added something to it. These dolls have no names, only descriptions, and no individual creator just an owner.

These include an Old lady holding a doll - owner Annie Zygarowicz
Going to a tea party - owner June Silberman
Dressed like a clown - owner Annette Sharpe
Mermaid doll - owner Cheryl Moore
Male doll with sword - Owner Abby Hatfield
Doll holding grapes – owner Penny Hughes

The Artists hope you enjoy these dolls as much as they do. For more information about the group please contact
ithaca.doll.artists@mac.com.












About Ithaca Doll Artists:
The Ithaca Doll Artists are a group of people with an interest in figurative sculpture and creating the "doll as art." We work in all kinds of medium - from cloth to wire, to polymer clay, to paperclay, to needle felting. Nearly every aspect of the art is constructed from handcrafted materials - the doll, it’s clothing and props, without the use of kits or patterns. As a group, we continue to grow and support each other by learning new techniques, creating monthly challenges and sharing ideas.

In the past, we’ve given presentations called Trunk Shows to local organizations in Ithaca and the surrounding communities. It gives us an opportunity to talk about our work and share our art experiences. We’ve discovered that through this forum, we can educate, inspire and encourage the appreciation for art dolls.

The Ithaca Doll Artists, also participate in gallery exhibits, conferences and other venues including the Tompkins County Public Library annual exhibit. As individual artists, we often submit our entries to nationally published magazines and competitions. Many of our pieces are available to purchase for private collections.

If you would like more information about an artist in this exhibit, commission and pricing inquiries, booking a Trunk Show, or joining the Ithaca Doll Artists, please email: ithaca.doll.artists@mac.com.