Ask a Librarian

Ask a Librarian

Ask a Librarian at TCPL is available for ready-reference questions. We can provide brief answers to questions or suggest further sources to answer your question. For genealogical research questions, please visit our research services page. As with all reference questions, email and online reference questions will remain confidential.

The Information and Learning Services Reference Desk is staffed all the hours the library is open. You may call the Reference Desk during library hours at (607) 272-4556.

Submit your question using the following form:

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Upcoming Events

Library Closed due to COVID-19

All Day 3/14 - 4/15
Branches:
Tompkins County Public Library
Description:
Effective 3/14 through 4/15 the Library will be closed due to our responsibility to the community in limiting the spread of the Coronavirus in conjunction with Tompkins County School closings. You can still access many online resources at w...

Creating a Fulfilling Life Using Your Inner Wisdom as Your Guide

7:00pm - 8:00pm
Cancelled
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Tompkins Trust Company Study Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness, Classes and Workshops
About this event::
Discover for yourself how this process can positively enhance your life, relationships, and health when you start taking the action your inner wisdom suggests. These classes will be using guided meditation, writing, and interactive group processes...

Mirage Belly Dance Performance

7:00pm - 8:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner Full
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Performance, Music, Other
About this event::
Join us for an evening of dance with the Mirage Belly Dancers. Since the late 1970s, Mirage Belly Dancers of Ithaca have offered festive performances in bright costumes to lively music in contemporary interpretations of this Middle Eastern art tha...

Kids Discover the Trail Class Visit

9:00am - 12:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
About this event::
TCPL welcomes ALL of the Kindergartners in the Ithaca City and Trumansburg School Districts for special class visits! ...

Digital Lab Open Hours

10:00am - 11:00am
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Digital Lab, Technology Class
About this event::
Tompkins County Public Library will be offering open lab hours in its digital lab.  Open lab hours will provide an opportunity for patrons to drop in and get help with their basic technology questions.  Patrons will be helped on a first com...

Makerspace OPEN HOURS

10:00am - 12:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, STEAM, Makerspace
About this event::
Join us in the Makerspace for self-led open hours! Bring your project, or make something with our available tools and materials. Share ideas with other makers, learn from volunteers and members of the community, and tinker to your heart's content!...

Website Design Help One-on-One

11:00am - 12:00pm
Cancelled
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments, Technology Class
About this event::
Join TCPL volunteer technology tutor Woojin Richardson for one-on-one assistance with your website questions.  Woojin has experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Firebase.  Please visit the Information and Learning Services refere...

Kids Discover the Trail Class Visit

11:00am - 1:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Kids
About this event::
TCPL welcomes ALL of the Kindergartners in the Ithaca City and Trumansburg School Districts for special class visits! ...