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

Digital Lab Open Hours

10:00am - 11:00am
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
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
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments, Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
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.   ...

One-on-One Tech Help

11:30am - 12:30pm
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Information & Learning Services Department
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: One-on-One Appointments, Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::
Book a librarian for help with digital downloads or computer basics. ...

Mid-Day Mindfulness Meditation

12:15pm - 12:45pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Tompkins Trust Company Study Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Classes and Workshops
About this event::
Facilitated by psychotherapist and Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Anna Salamone, RN, LCSW, these sessions will encourage participants to shift out of "automatic pilot" mode and observe the workings of the mind, body, a...

Adobe Illustrator / Photoshop One-on-One

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Digital Lab, One-on-One Appointments, Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::
Schedule an appointment with graphic designer Jon Serrano, for help with your Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop questions. ...

ESL Talk Time

3:45pm - 4:45pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Tompkins Trust Company Study Room
Age Group: Adults, Teens
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Other
About this event::
Do you want to practice your conversation skills? Come to the library and meet other people who are learning English. In these meetings, English language learners will have the opportunity to talk with library volunteers about current events,...

Memory Lab One-on-One

11:00am - 12:00pm
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Local History Study Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Local History, One-on-One Appointments
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::
Do you have old family photos, film or videos that you would like to convert to a digital format?  Now you can for free at the library!  During this hour long session a librarian will help you use our conversion equipment.  Please reme...