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:

Upcoming Events

Library Closed due to COVID-19

All Day 3/14 - 4/29
Branches:
Tompkins County Public Library
Description:
Effective 3/14 through 4/29 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...

Alternatives Federal Credit Union Income Tax Assistance

10:00am - 2:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Digital Lab
About this event::
Tompkins County Public Library's Digital Lab will be a site hosting Alternatives Federal Credit Union's Free Tax Preparation service.  This service is available to low-income residents of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, and is completely free as...

Baby Storytime & Playtime

10:30am - 12:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::
Caregivers and newborns up to 24 months are invited for music, rhymes, movement and books at 10:30. After storytime, stay for an hour of play and social time. ...

Break for Movies

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Adults
About this event::
Join us to talk about movies! Fridays, 12-1 pm on Facebook. ...

Advanced English as a Second Language

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Tompkins Trust Company Study Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Community Groups
About this event::
Join Lifelong Learning for their Advanced English as a Second Language class.  Led by Dolina Millar, this class will work on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. No textbook is required for the class. Dolina Millar was an “English as a ...

Makerspace OPEN HOURS

2:00pm - 6:00pm
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!...

Friday Teen Writing Workshop

4:30pm - 5:30pm
Cancelled
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Writing
About this event::
Explore your creative muscles in our casual weekly after school writing workshops. Sign up for a couple or take them all - each week will be something a little different but attendance at all sessions is not required. These one-hour workshops ...;

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. ...