Registration is now open for a signature fundraiser that gives the community the power to support Tompkins County Public Library’s mission to foster opportunities for people of all ages to discover, connect, and create. The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation’s READATHON 2025 is a day-long celebration and read-out-loud extravaganza that brings library lovers together to raise funds for TCPL’s collections and programming.

READATHON 2025 will be held Saturday, October 11, which coincides with opening day for the Friends of the Library’s Fall Book Sale. It’s also “Let Freedom Read Day,” the final day of Banned Books Week.

"At a time when censorship is rampant, it feels really powerful to say words out loud that some people don't want you to read,” said Kerry Barnes, Executive Director of the TCPL Foundation. “The READATHON gives people the opportunity to read out loud in defiance and raise funds so TCPL can purchase even more books, audiobooks, digital resources, films, and more. It's a great way to show your love and appreciation for our public library as well as libraries in general and our freedom to read."

Reader-fundraisers can sign up to read on October 11th in person at the Library or by pre-recorded video. 

"Since my kiddo was very tiny, the library has been one of our favorite places, and reading together is still one of our favorite things to do,” said Bob Proehl, a local media personality, author and READATHON supporter. “I love thinking back on how our roles in the READATHON have shifted since the first year when it was just her in my lap sitting on Green Street. Now she picks out the books and does most of the reading. She still makes me do the bulk of the fundraising, though."

READATHON 2025 aims to raise $25,000 for books, films, music, audiobooks and digital resources for TCPL’s collection, items the community depends on to stay informed, entertained and engaged, all for free. Contributions from the Friends and Foundation provide nearly all of TCPL's funding for collections purchases.

“I believe that public libraries have the power and potential to influence the direction of our lives.”
— Mary Chapman, READATHON participant on the McGraw House team, from her READATHON 2023 introduction

In addition to funding the purchase of thousands of physical items for the collection every year, the TCPL Foundation in 2025 has also provided resources to bring in speakers like Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathan Eig and New York Times bestseller Maia Szalavitz, provided resources to increase livestream capabilities for programs like Queer Cinema 101 with Teagan Bradway and the Community Reading of the U.S. Constitution, worked with donors to fund Library by Mail, boosted Kanopy funding to meet increased community demand for the free video streaming service, leveraged an anonymous donation to continue Information Saves Lives NARCAN training, and much more.

“As a library staff person who manages a collection, I appreciate how much the Foundation and Friends do for TCPL by raising funds that help us buy materials,” said Woody Chichester, a TCPL Youth Services Library Assistant and READATHON participant. “As a book nerd, what could be cooler than getting to read from a book I love to a crowd? Last READATHON I read movie taglines from DVDs in our collection. It's a fun way to share the collection and what we love about it with others.”

You can sign up to raise funds and participate in READATHON 2025 at https://bit.ly/TCPLReadathon2025, but you can also help even if you aren’t able to commit to fundraising and reading in person by donating to participants.

“A few years ago, I decided to divide my READATHON contribution among several readers and to do it anonymously as a way to boost morale,” said Laura Larson, Odyssey Bookstore owner and READATHON supporter. “Wow, what a joyful experience this was! I read each person's profile and tried to find those who seemed to maybe be off to a slow start on fundraising. I loved seeing and being able to support so many different voices and ways people love our library! Because it was anonymous, it seemed to leave people feeling specially chosen (which they were!) inspiring them to continue their fundraising and leaving me inspired by all the wonderful people who love our library each in their own unique way.”

To encourage donations, the Foundation is also teaming up with the Friends to offer a coupon for one free book at the Fall Book Sale to anyone who donates $50 to a READATHON participant.

Those interested can watch READATHON 2025 in person at Tompkins County Public Library on October 11, outside the Ezra Cornell Reading Room. The event will also be streamed on the TCPL Foundation’s YouTube channel.

For more information, please e-mail kbarnes@tcplfoundation.org or call 607-275-1532. 

The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation supports Tompkins County Public Library through community engagement and fundraising.