Library by Mail
Our Library by Mail service provides library materials to residents of Tompkins County who are physically unable to visit the Library. Patrons registered with the Library by Mail service may receive up to seven (7) items at a time delivered by the US Postal Service to their residence.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is eligible for this program?
To be eligible for Library by Mail, you must meet all three of the following criteria:
- Live within the boundaries of Tompkins County
- Possess or be willing to sign up for a Tompkins County Public Library card or a library card from another library in Tompkins County
- Unable to get to the library
Typical qualifiers may include those:
- Temporarily or permanently homebound and/or in a convalescent home
- Concerned and/or at risk due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
- Experiencing difficulty getting to the library due to a disability or mobility issues
How do I sign up?
Complete the online form, email LBM@tcpl.org or call 607-272-4557.
How do I request materials?
Books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, and magazines can be requested by placing a hold through our online catalog or by calling 607-272-4556. Ask us about our digital library!
How many items can I borrow at a time? How long can I keep the items?
Seven (7) items at a time may be borrowed for three weeks.
What if I'm late returning items? What if items are lost or damaged?
TCPL does not charge fines for late items. TCPL does not charge for lost or damaged items.
Who pays for postage?
We do! Funding for this program has been provided by a generous grant from Cornell University.
Do I need a Tompkins County Public Library card to participate?
Yes. If you don‘t have one, you can fill out the online card application.
Upcoming Events
This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
4
2023
Wed
Registration
This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
4
2023
Wed
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group:
Kids,
Teens
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts,
Book Clubs,
Classes and Workshops,
STEAM
About this event::
Kids ages 9-13 are welcome to join this bi-monthly, in person book club that focuses on award winning books and authors! Each participant will receive a copy of the selected award winning book to keep and read in advance of our meeting. We will then ...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
5
2023
Thu
Registration
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
5
2023
Thu
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Makerspace
Age Group:
Adults,
Teens
Program Type:
Classes and Workshops,
Makerspace,
One-on-One Appointments
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::
What do you want to make?
Register for a one-on-one session in the makerspace with Library Assistant Josh to use our laser cutter, 3-D printer, or Cricut. Sessions are one hour and a maximum of two people are allowed in the makerspace a...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
5
2023
Thu
Registration
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
5
2023
Thu
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Digital Lab
Age Group:
Teens
Program Type:
STEAM,
Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining:
7
About this event::
TCPL is teaming up with My Learning Genie to provide free Java classes for teens!
If you already know some Java and want to learn more see this link for the intermediate class: Intermediate Java
Java stands as one of the most widely adopt...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
Oct
5
2023
Thu
Fiber Arts Meetup!
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Digital Lab
Age Group:
Adults
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts,
Digital Lab,
Makerspace,
Meetings
About this event::
Do you like to knit, crochet, sew or make art with fiber? Join Josefine, a local knitter on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at TCPL! Bring your own project (consumable materials are not offered as part of this meet-up) and come hang out a...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
Oct
5
2023
Thu
Makerspace Open Hours
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Makerspace
Age Group:
Adults
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts,
Makerspace
About this event::
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!
Visit the Makerspace to use the laser cutter, 3-D printer, Cricut, or sewing/embroidery ...
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
Oct
6
2023
Fri
Registration
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
Oct
6
2023
Fri
Library Branch:
Off Site
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type:
Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: Unlimited
About this event::
Weather permitting, caregivers and their babies are invited to join Cassie at the park next to the Henry St. John Building at 301 S. Geneva St. for music, rhymes, movement and books. On days when the temperature is forecasted to be lower than 50...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
6
2023
Fri
Makerspace Open Hours
3:30pm - 5:30pm
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
6
2023
Fri
Makerspace Open Hours
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Makerspace
Age Group:
Adults,
Teens
Program Type:
Makerspace
About this event::
Drop-in open hours are back! Registration is no longer required.
Visit the Makerspace to use the laser cutter, 3-D printer, Cricut, or sewing/embroidery machines. All equipment will be available on a first come first served basis and machine...
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Families" group.
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
7
2023
Sat
Friends of TCPL Fall Book Sale at 509 Esty Street
10:00am - 8:00pm
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Families" group.
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Oct
7
2023
Sat
Friends of TCPL Fall Book Sale at 509 Esty Street
10:00am - 8:00pm
Library Branch:
Off Site
Age Group:
Adults,
Families,
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers,
Kids,
Teens
Program Type:
Book Sales
About this event::
The Friends of Tompkins County Public Library will hold the annual Fall Book Sale over three long weekends in October, beginning Saturday, October 7, at 509 Esty St, Ithaca. More details are available online at www.booksale.org.
Dates & Hours:...