Play & Learn

Our Youth Services staff is thrilled to welcome you to our department.

What You'll Find Here:

Play Area

Join the fun with puzzles, trains, a play kitchen and more along with our Reading Zoo, a special kid-sized room.

*Currently unavailable due to COVID-19*

STEAM!

Let your imagination fly with our STEAM cart full of supplies for your next creation.

*Currently unavailable due to COVID-19*

Computers

We offer internet computers for children aged 5-12 and their parents along with our Early Learning Stations loaded with games for the younger children.

Reader Is In

Hear a story read by our wonderful volunteers during your visit.

*Currently unavailable due to COVID-19*

Maker Is In

Volunteers engage children & families in using our more high-tech STEAM supplies such as robots and snap circuits.

*Currently unavailable due to COVID-19*

Sensory Station

Find weighted lap pads, noise-cancelling earmuffs, fidgets and other sensory tools.

*Currently unavailable due to COVID-19*

Virtual Tour

A trip through out department with "Visual Guide to TCPL".

Upcoming Events

Stories in the Park

11:00am - 11:30pm

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids

Program Type: Storytimes

About this event::

Children and families are invited to join us each Tuesday in Dewitt Park for stories, music and family fun. On days we're unable to meet due to weather, Kelly will post a virtual storytime. Please call the Youth Services Reference Desk at (607) ...

Nutrition Workshop Series - Snack Attack!

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Open

Registration

Open

Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library

Room: Online

Age Group: Adults, Families

Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Health & Wellness

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: Unlimited

About this event::

Join Sarah Grant Curless for a weekly nutrition informational session. This week's topic is Snack Attack! Learn about ways to create healthy snacks, and how to pick healthier options at sit down and fast casual restaurants. Also, explor...

GIAC Visit

3:30pm - 4:00pm

Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library

Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room

Age Group: Kids

Program Type: Community Groups

About this event::

Group from GIAC will be visiting the Library for a storytime program. Not open to the public. ...

STEAM Book Club: The Spirit of Cattail County

3:45pm - 4:45pm

Waitlist

Registration

Waitlist

Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library

Room: Online

Age Group: Kids

Program Type: Book Clubs

Registration Required

Waitlist Seats Remaining: 5

About this event::

Children ages 9 - 12 are invited to a monthly S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Book Club. This month we are reading The Spirit of Cattail County by Victoria Piontek. We will be joined by Jason Gorman from the Finger Lakes Land...

Tween Coding Club

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Waitlist

Registration

Waitlist

Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library

Room: Online

Age Group: Kids

Program Type: Classes and Workshops, STEAM, Technology Class

Registration Required

Waitlist Seats Remaining: 10

About this event::

Whether you are already comfortable with coding or a total beginner, Tween Coding Club is a great place to get creative and express yourself. The club is centered around building confidence with reading and writing code through fun challenges and int...

Baby Storytime Meets Outside!

10:30am - 11:00am

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers

Program Type: Storytimes

About this event::

Baby Storytime continues! Caregivers and their babies are invited to join Cassie for music, rhymes, movement and books. When the weather allows, we'll meet at the park next to the Henry St. John Building at 301 S. Geneva St. On days ...

Ballet and Books

10:00am - 2:00pm

Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library

Room: BorgWarner Full

Age Group: Kids

Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Community Groups

About this event::

Ballet & Books is a national, non-profit organization that provides 3-9-year-old children with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills through a combination of dance instruction and literacy-focused mentorship with high school and co...

Special Saturday Stories in the Park – Celebrate Halloween!

11:00am - 11:30pm

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids

Program Type: Storytimes

About this event::

Children and families are invited to join us each Saturday in Dewitt Park for stories, music and family fun! If you’re planning on wearing a costume for Halloween, wear it at storytime today! We’ll be reading some not-too-spooky books, and singing ...