Library of Things

TCPL offers a collection of non-traditional items such as museum passes, sewing machines, seeds, cookware, umbrellas, phone chargers, fishing gear, tools and more that you can check out and use in-house or take home with you.

These items are listed in the catalog under "Library of Things." There is also a list of current collection holdings at the bottom of this page. Items such as games and puzzles are available near the main entrance.

Other items are available by taking a card from the display in front of the Library of Things shelves and taking it to a staff member at the Howard P. Hartnett Circulation Desk in the Lobby.

Patrons may borrow up to five items at any time from the Library of Things. The standard loan period is one week. Holds are not available on Library of Things items. Please see the Tompkins County Public Library Card and Lending Guidelines for more information.

Available at the Howard P. Hartnett Circulation Desk.

We do not allow holds on passes. However, if a pass is checked in when you search our online catalog, you can call us at 607-272-4556 and we will check it out to you. If you do not pick it up before closing that day we will check it back in the next morning so it will be available for someone else. Only one pass of any kind may be checked out on a card at a time.

• Corning Museum of Glass — Check pass availability
  2-Pass bundle entitles holder free admission to the museum for two adults per pass. No charge for children 17 & under.
• Hangar Theatre — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles holder up to 4 total tickets for any Hangar Theatre Company Mainstage or KIDDSTUFF performance. Valid for unlimited use during week of checkout. Available seasonally.
• Museum of the Earth — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles the holder (and family) to one visit during the lending period.
• New York State Parks Empire Pass — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles the holder to unlimited day use with the occupants in one vehicle at the time of entry. Learn more about the NY State Parks Explorer App at parks.ny.gov/explorer-app/.
• Sciencenter — Check pass availability
  Pass entitles the holder to free admission to the Sciencenter for up to two adults and their children, all living in the same household.

Salutations Seed Library is a project co-sponsored by TCPL, the Master Gardeners of Tompkins County, and the Cornell Climate Stewards. It provides free seeds and gardening knowledge for the Tompkins County community. Located near the Reference desk. 

To learn more, check out our seed library page.

Included with the Library of Things is a locker station (located at the Howard P. Hartnett Circulation Desk) that allows you to charge your mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or other small portable device.

Each small locker has a power cord with three charging adapters (USB-C, Micro USB, Lightning) that should allow it to charge most mobile devices. The larger lockers have the same power cord (for charging tablets or other devices) as well as a 45-watt usb-c charging cord for laptops.

How to use:

1. Find an available locker (blue light will be on)
2. Use the touch screen to select a locker and enter a code (4 to 6 digits)
3. Tap "confirm"
4. Re-enter code and press confirm a second time to open locker door
5. Plug in phone and close locker door. Light will turn red to indicate charging

To retrieve your device:

1. Select "retrieve" on the touch screen
2. Enter your code
3. Select "confirm"
4. Locker door will automatically open

It's that easy!

Please note:

Devices cannot be used while charging.

Lockers do not indicate when charging is complete.

Only one device per locker.

TCPL is not responsible for any lost or damaged items.

Click on any object in the collection to see its page in our catalog system. Due to high demand, we are not currently accepting holds on Library of Things items.