Youth and Family Programs at TCPL in February!
Hello and happy Library Lover's Month from the Youth Services Department at Tompkins County Public Library!
February is always a fantastically busy month despite its brevity. Teens can contribute to Black history by participating in Douglass Day on 2/13; folks of all ages can ring in the Year of the Horse at our Lunar New Year crafting day on 2/14 and Lion and Cultural Chinese Dance on 2/21, and the Ithaca Youth Health Promoters will lead a teen Valentine crafting afternoon on 2/13.
While grown-ups are thinking about tax season, we're here to help kids lay the foundation for financial skills. Life Skills: Dollars and Dilemmas returns with a 7-week series for middle schoolers, presented by Cornell University BS Candidate Jared Lederman.
Spanish Storytime resumes on 2/13! It will be offered 2nd and 4th Fridays; Chinese Bilingual Storytime will continue on 1st and 3rd Fridays.
Plus, we hear you might be looking for things to do during ICSD breaks - we have added some special programs during that week, including a Preschool Art Studio on 2/17 and a pair of Mario Kart Tournaments on 2/19.
And March is right around the corner - now is a great time for Tween and Teens to register for a special additional Graphic Novel Book Club to celebrate Eisner Week, which will meet on March 3rd. Registrants can pick up a free copy of the book to keep at TCPL.
Read on for more. All programs are free and take place at the Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street in Ithaca, New York.
Special Programs
- The Steminist Movement: Civil Engineering Workshop for Kids
Saturday February 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Registration required! - Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Family Concert
Thursday February 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Ezra Cornell Reading Room - Teen Valentine Crafts
Friday February 13 from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. in BorgWarner East. - Douglass Day Transcribe-a-Thon (For teens and adults)
Friday February 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room - Lunar New Year Decorations Making Party
Saturday February 14 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room - Super Mario Kart Tournament for Kids & Tweens
Thursday February 19 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room - Teen Super Mario Kart Tournament
Thursday February 19 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Borg Warner Community Room - Lion Dance & Chinese Cultural Dance
Saturday February 21 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm on the Avenue of the Friends
Limited Series Programs
- Families Learning Science Together
Saturday February 14 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Registration encouraged; drop-ins welcome if space allows - Preschool Art Studio
Tuesday February 10 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room - BONUS Preschool Art Studio
During winter break on February 17 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room! - Chinese Bilingual Storytime
Friday February 6 & 20 from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. followed by play and craft time in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Drop-in program! - Life Skills: Dollars & Dilemmas
Wednesday February 11, 18, 25 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Digital Lab.
Registration Required! - Teen Film Fridays For teens ages 13-18 only
Friday February 27 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Digital Lab - SingSong Music Class Series
Wednesday February 4 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Registration required! - Study Buddies
Saturday February 7 & 14 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Schwarz Jacobson Meeting Room
Registration required! - Spanish Storytime
Friday February 13 & 27 from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. - Family Movies at TCPL: Gnomeo & Juliet
Saturday February 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Book Clubs
Space is limited! Register online to hold your spot and get a free copy of the book ahead of the club meeting.
- Tween Book Club
Tuesday February 10 from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
*As of this posting, registration is full - Early Reader Book Club
Tuesday February 24 from 3:00 to 3:45pm in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
*As of this posting, registration is full; waitlist is open - Graphic Novel Book Club For tweens and teens ages 10-18.
YSGN will meet to March 3 to discuss The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur during Eisner Week to celebrate the Graphic Novel
Storytimes (All Drop-In)
- Baby & Toddler Storytime
Every Friday 10:30 to 11:00 am in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room - Family Storytime
Every Saturday from 11:00 to 11:30 am in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Ongoing programs (All Drop-In)
- Baby & Toddler Playtime
Every Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room - Sit, Stay, Read For all ages.
Every Monday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room. - Teen Maker Mondays For tweens and teens ages 12-18.
Every Monday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Makerspace - LEGO Build Night for Families
Every Tuesday from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room - LGBTQIA+ Youth Group
For ages 11-18. Every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the Digital Lab - Story + Craft
Every Thursday from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. - Ages 8 to 108 Board Game Club
Every Thursday starting on January 22 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Digital Lab
Need help finding your way around the Library? Check out our new floor map!
Posted by Woody on February 01, 2026
Last Modified February 02, 2026