Local History & Genealogy
From books, to maps, and everything in between, you can find a variety of digitized materials from our local history collection. Partial funding for digitization was made possible through a grant from the Park Foundation to encourage sustainability through remote access of library materials.
You can also access HeritageQuest Online from our library computers to search census records, books, and documents for information about your ancestors. Want to search HeritageQuest from home? Log into your account, click on the Online Databases tab, and then select "Genealogy & Family Research" to see links for HeritageQuest and New York Heritage.
We can provide limited research on topics of local history or interest where the information sought is unique to the collection of the library. The Tompkins County Research Service is available to individuals and/or organizations for whom it is impossible to visit the library in person.
For additional resources, visit the following websites:
The History Center in Tompkins County
New York Heritage Digital Collections
Library of Congress New York State Guide
The Library of Congress web guide contains a variety of materials specifically relating to New York State, including manuscripts, documents, photos, books and maps. This site also provides links to websites such as:
The U.S. GenWeb Project
Genealogy websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States.
Cayuga Heights History Project
Upcoming Events
Early Fall Baby & Toddler Storytime
Caregivers and their children are invited to join Cassie at the park next to the Henry St. John Building at 301 S. Geneva St. for music, rhymes, movement and books.
Makerspace Open Hours
Drop-in for Open Hours - registration is not required.
Fall Fun Yoga Series
Children are welcome to join us as we welcome autumn in a yoga series that flows with the seasons!
Slow Flow Yoga
This is an all-levels Slow Flow style yoga class, adaptable for people with different levels of fitness (it does involve sitting on a mat and standing up from the floor).
Family Storytime
Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills at Family Storytime. We meet each Saturday for stories, songs and hands-on fun.
College Application Help with Project Level the Field
Free Tutoring and College Application Mentorship with Project Level the Field
Autumn Art for Kids
Let your imagination soar with local artist and teacher, Stiller Zusman. This is a drop-in program and well-suited for children ages 3-6 and their families.
Ballet and Books: Seeds (3 years - Kindergarten)
Ballet & Books is a national, non-profit organization that provides children ages 3-9 with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills through a combination of dance instruction and literacy-focused mentorship with high school and college-