Tompkins County Public Library
🏢 Finger Lakes Library System · Ithaca, New York
Tompkins County Public Library
Founded in 1864 as the Cornell Free Library — where Ezra Cornell's earliest university classes met — Tompkins County Public Library now anchors the five-county Finger Lakes Library System from a light-filled building on East Green Street and hosts one of the largest semi-annual book sales in the United States.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 101 EAST GREEN STREET, ITHACA, NY 14850
Phone: +1 607-272-4557
Website: tcpl.org
Plus Code: 87J5CGQ2+7M (ITHACA, NY)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Tompkins County Public Library
Tompkins County Public Library traces its roots to 1864, when Ezra Cornell chartered the Cornell Free Library by act of the New York State Legislature; circulation began March 4, 1867, and early Cornell University commencement ceremonies took place within its walls. After moves to North Cayuga Street in 1969, the library reopened in 2000 in a dramatically expanded former Woolworths building at 101 East Green Street — double the previous footprint — with sweeping glass and a welcoming downtown presence. Today it serves as the central library of the Finger Lakes Library System, coordinating resources across five counties, and its collection of nearly 150,000 items circulates over 700,000 materials annually. A 2016 exterior mural of Ezra Cornell commemorates the library's 150th anniversary. The building includes a full-service Makerspace, flexible meeting and study rooms, and a Local Voices oral-history archive that documents the voices of Tompkins County residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1864 by Ezra Cornell — one of New York State's oldest public libraries; early Cornell University commencement ceremonies held here
- Central library for the five-county Finger Lakes Library System, coordinating shared resources across Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, and Cortland counties
- Makerspace equipped with Prusa 3D printers, Epilog laser cutter/engraver, Cricut Maker, embroidery machine, and sewing machines
- One of the largest semi-annual book sales in the United States, hosted twice yearly by the Friends of TCPL
- Local Voices oral-history archive preserving community stories from Ithaca and Tompkins County
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
TCPL cardholders can borrow, stream, and research for free through the Finger Lakes Library System's digital collections and New York's statewide resources:
📚 Services
- Makerspace: 3D printers, laser cutter/engraver, Cricut Maker, embroidery machine, sewing machines
- Public computers, printing, scanning, and free Wi-Fi
- Study rooms and public meeting rooms available for reservation
- Library of Things lending collection
- Test proctoring services
- Library by Mail for homebound patrons
- Local history and genealogy research resources
- Accessibility services for patrons with disabilities
- One-on-one technology help sessions
🎸 Programs
- Community Read — annual all-county book and author event
- Youth storytimes, LEGO build nights, and family activities
- Teen programs and after-school activities
- Makerspace open sessions and workshops
- Adult book clubs and discussion groups
- One-on-one tech help appointments
📍 Nearby Libraries in Upstate New York
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do in the TCPL Makerspace, and do I need to reserve time?
The Makerspace offers a Prusa 3D printer fleet, an Epilog Legend 50-watt laser cutter/engraver (up to 24×18 in), a Cricut Maker for vinyl and fabric, a Brother embroidery machine, and sewing equipment. Basic materials like cardboard and 3D filament are free during open sessions; specialty materials like acrylic or wood require bringing your own. Check the events calendar on tcpl.org for open Makerspace hours — no prior reservation is needed for drop-in sessions.
Is Tompkins County Public Library connected to Cornell University?
Historically yes. Ezra Cornell, who founded Cornell University in 1865, also chartered the Cornell Free Library by act of the New York State Legislature in 1864, and early Cornell University classes and commencement ceremonies took place in the library. Today TCPL is an independent public library serving all Tompkins County residents; Cornell has its own separate university library system, but the two institutions share a deep historical bond.
How does the semi-annual book sale work, and when is it held?
The Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library run one of the largest semi-annual book sales in the United States, typically held twice a year (spring and fall). Donated books, DVDs, and other materials are priced to move, with a "Fill a Bag" discount day at the end. Dates and details are posted on the Friends' pages at tcpl.org as each sale approaches.
Can I use TCPL resources if I live outside Tompkins County?
Tompkins County residents receive free library cards. Residents of the five-county Finger Lakes Library System area (Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, and Cortland counties) can also borrow from TCPL on their home-system card. Visitors can use in-library computers and Wi-Fi freely, and may apply for a temporary card for short-term access.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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