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As of September, 2020, we regret that we will no longer be able to offer Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL), as the service has been suspended until further notice by the Finger Lakes Library System.

This week at TCPL! Click on the links for useful information--and maybe a surprise or two.

Did you know that the library is a great resource for homeschooling families from programming to materials? We are here to support you whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just starting out. Here you will find an updated Homeschool Resource Guide with library programs and local resources listed, along with booklists of materials to help you in your homeschooling journey. Be sure to consider checking out a book bundle on a theme you may be teaching as well! We’re happy to support your teaching with the books and materials we have here.

Looking for something good to read, watch, or listen to? TCPL staff have been busy this summer, compiling recommendations just for you! Many of the following are available to download or stream, and we've noted where you can find them online. Otherwise you can find them in our online catalog and place a hold for pickup!

Scroll through the list below or find it here.

We are pleased to announce that beginning Tuesday, August 11, 2020, limited Internet and Self-Service Copy/Fax/Print Services will be available in addition to our scheduled curbside and lobby hold pickup services. Patrons of all ages will be able to use the internet for 30 minutes per day to complete their Census, fill out job applications, print and scan documents, work on their resume and check their email. 

Hours for this service coincide with our in-lobby hours:

It’s time to say goodbye to FLLS’s RBdigital Magazines. Due to impending budget cuts, FLLS and its member libraries, including TCPL,  will be focusing on high demand services such as ebooks and e-audiobooks. Our subscription to RBdigital Magazines will end on June 30, 2020. We apologize for the short notice.

Hello from TCPL!

Since March 2020, Tompkins County has been in a state of quarantine in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, experiences have varied greatly. We're interested in capturing experiences, memories, and sentiments from this time (March-July 2020) in a digital community scrapbook we are calling TCPL’s QuaranZine. Using the links below, you will find leading questions to inspire your recollections. Feel free to fill out one, some, or all questions.

Dear Readers,

Welcome back to TCPL!

We are truly delighted to share our books and more, once again. Your patience with the process that puts safety first is greatly appreciated.  

This limited borrowing system will be in place until we can safely gather and handle materials without quarantining them first. We anticipate offering additional services after mid-July, with computer and internet access being our first priority.  

If you have never placed a hold before, or are a little rusty, check out this video for tips! If you need help placing holds, call 607-272-4556 or email askalibrarian@tcpl.org.

Keep in mind:

As you may know, June is Pride Month! To help you celebrate and explore, we have created lists of books (both fiction and nonfiction) and films!

Pride Month Read/Watch List - Adult and YA books and films

Read With Pride - YA books

We are pleased to announce our June 15, 2020 limited reopening for curbside and in-lobby pickup of TCPL library materials! See below for answers to your most pressing questions.

Dear Library Community,

First, we miss you and hope this letter finds you safe and well.  

As New York begins the reopening process, we are looking forward to seeing you all again, and sharing physical library materials and programs as well as electronic and virtual resources. Why, then, did we make the decision for Tompkins County Public Library to remain fully closed through June 30?

Looking for something good to read, watch, or listen to? TCPL staff has recommendations for you! Many of the following are available to download or stream, and we've noted where you can find them online. Happy exploring!

If you have any questions about the following titles, just Ask a Librarian!

We wanted to offer some suggestions for fun activities you can do each day to support your child's early literacy! These activities were created by our very own Kelly and are based on the five early literacy practices of:

Inspired by the popularity of Break for Books, our weekly Facebook interactive group chat, we will begin offering Break for Books Jr., Teen Break for Books, and Break for Movies, all found on our Facebook page. Teen Break for Books will also be available on Instagram.