Library Cards and Borrowing

Library Cards and Borrowing

Getting a TCPL card is easy and FREE! You can complete an application at the Circulation Desk or online. Then, bring a valid photo ID and proof of address to the Circulation Desk to get your card activated (which takes just a few minutes).

For more information about applying for a card, see our Policy page.

You can borrow up to 50 items per card. Most items have a loan period of three weeks; DVDs can be borrowed for one week. As a convenience, our system will automatically renew one time any item that is not being held for another patron.

All TCPL items can be returned to any of the 33 Finger Lakes Library System member libraries.

We also offer Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services for items not found within the Finger Lakes Library System.

Please see TCPL's Lending Guidelines for more information about borrowing.

Questions? Call our Access and Circulation Services Department at (607) 275-1LIB (1542).

Upcoming Events

Library Closed due to COVID-19

All Day 3/14 - 4/13
Branches:
Tompkins County Public Library
Description:
Effective 3/14 through 4/13 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 www.tc...

Family Storytime

11:00am - 11:30am
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::
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. ...

Lemonade with the Ithaca Sunrise Movement

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Kids
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Community Groups
About this event::
Meet local climate activist Cheyenne Carter, one of the founders of the Ithaca Sunrise Movement. Learn about what we can do to protect our environment and help stop the climate crisis. Enjoy a glass of lemonade, make a recycled craft, and check out b...

LEGO at the Library

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: STEAM, Other
About this event::
Children are invited to attend this weekly LEGO® brick building program. 'LEGO at the Library' encourages children to use their imaginations or LEGO books from the TCPL collection to create their own LEGO art! The Library will provide LEGO bricks, an...

Pokémon Club

3:00pm - 4:30pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Families, Kids, Teens
Program Type: STEAM, Classes and Workshops, Community Groups
About this event::
Pokémon enthusiasts are invited to bring in their Pokémon cards to battle, discuss, and enjoy with other fans. Beginners are welcome - an expert from TCGplayer will be on hand to teach the basics of the game and provide decks for players to use. T...

Census Job Recruitment

1:00pm - 5:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Avenue of the Friends
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Other
About this event::
The Census is hiring for $20/hour jobs in the spring and summer. Xi Lian, Partnership Specialist for the New York Regional Census Center, will be at the library with information on jobs for the Census.  She will also be here to help community me...

One-on-One Tech Help

11:00am - 12:00pm
Cancelled
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Information & Learning Services Department
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: One-on-One Appointments, Technology Class
About this event::
Book a librarian for help with digital downloads or computer basics. ...

Makerspace OPEN HOURS

12:00pm - 4:00pm
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!...