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.

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Upcoming Events

Homeschool Book Club: The Parker Inheritance

11:00am - 12:00pm
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 14
About this event::
Children ages 9-13 are welcome to join our Homeschool Book Club! The club will meet monthly to discuss books from a variety of genres on the 4th Thursday of each month at 11 in the morning. Registration for book club meetings is required as space is ...

One-on-One Tech Help

1:30pm - 2:30pm
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments, Online Chat, Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 1
About this event::
Book a librarian or volunteer technology tutor for help with digital downloads, such as borrowing eBooks, or basic computer questions.  **Please note - This series of appointments will be with volunteer technology tutor, Gusti, and he is able...

Nutrition Workshop Series - Comfort Food Switch Ups

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Adults, Families
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Health & Wellness, Online Chat
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 11
About this event::
Join Sarah Grant Curless for a weekly nutrition informational session.  This week's topic is Comfort Food Switch Ups.  Learn how to take some of your favorite comfort foods and put a healthy twist on them. Try it out with this recipe for Br...

Spanish Storytime! / Cuenta-cuentos!

4:30pm - 5:30pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::
Join us for Spanish storytime - stories, songs, and crafts - completely in Spanish!  Fun for the whole family, this storytime is a wonderful chance to be immersed in the Spanish language and a wonderful time to practice your language skills with...

Business Leaders of Colors Office Hours

5:00pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments
About this event::
Business Leaders of Colors is a network of small business owners committed to racial, social and economic justice. The network was formed to level the playing field and create a cooperative space for commerce that will serve the under-served and unde...

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 are back! Registration is no longer required. We still must adhere to room occupancy requirements (max. 10 people at a time), but do not anticipate this being an issue often.  Visit the Makerspace to use the laser cutter, 3...