About TCPL | Tompkins County Public Library

1864: New York State Legislature chartered the Cornell Public Library.

1866: Ezra Cornell presented Library Trustee Benjamin Ferris with the keys to the newly-constructed Cornell Library.

1868: First meeting of the faculty of the newly chartered Cornell University takes place at the library. Early classes and commencement exercises took place in the library's lecture hall.

1928: Bookmobile service began as a result of fundraising by local school children.  The Bookmobile brought library service to more than 160 rural locations throughout the County.  

1947: The newly-formed Friends of the Library held their first book sale in support of library programs and services. Since the Friends' formation over 3 million dollars has been donated to the library through their hard work and generosity.

1958: The Finger Lakes Library System was formed, with headquarters in the library building.

1967: Officially became the county library—remains municipal library; chartered to serve all of Tompkins County. Legislature approved construction of a new  library.

1969: The Library moved to its larger, more modern facility at 312 North Cayuga Street.  

1982: TCPL became the first library in New York to use a computerized catalog system.

1993: The Tompkins County Public Library Foundation was formed and took on the role of private fundraising through donor cultivation, annual mail appeals, grants, investment, and management of directed gifts and special events all aimed at improving the financial health of the library.

1995: TCPL began offering free internet access.

1998: The Tompkins County Board of Representatives approved a plan to purchase the Woolworth building on the corner of Green and Cayuga Streets and to transform the building into a state-of-the-art library.  

2000: With a boost from a fundraising campaign that netted $1.7 million for the purchase of books, materials and furnishings, the new Library opened its doors.

2002: TCPL and Cornell University launched its annual Community Read partnership, which ran through 2015.

2005: Kindergartners from each of the schools in the Ithaca City School District began exploring the Library as part of the Kids Discover the Trail program.

2009: TCPL’s Green Street location celebrated its 4 millionth visitor with the early afternoon visit of twins Seth and Julian Ribiero.

2010: TCPL feted 10 years at Green Street with a celebration featuring programs, a visit by Ezra Cornell impersonator Fred Antil and a cake cutting ceremony.

2014: TCPL celebrated its 150th Anniversary with exhibits, events and proclamations and presentations by local and state officials. In November, the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation launched the Campaign for a 21st Century Library.

2016: Tompkins County Legislature approved plans for the construction of a teen center and digital learning lab for TCPL.

2017: New Digital Lab, Makerspace, Teen Center & Local History Room opened.

2019: TCPL is fine free.

2020: Covid-19 closed March 13, 2020 - June 14, 2020. Opened June 15 for curbside pickup, August 11 for Internet services, and November 30 for browsing.