Bringing the dream of an exceptional library to Tompkins County
Foundation History
The 1990s: Dreaming Big for the Next Millenium
1993: The TCPL Foundation is officially launched. It is mandated with providing fundraising to help maintain the Library's stability, assist in achieving new goals and directions, and provide financial management of Library funds. Fundraising appeals begin and the first endowed funds are created.
1999: The Park Foundation grants Tompkins County $2.5 million to enable the purchase of 101 East Green Street, a former Woolworth's, to be the future TCPL. The Foundation's fundraising campaign raises more than $1.7 million.
The 2000s: New Building, New Energy, Big Dreams
November 2000: TCPL officially opens its doors in the new location, and in January, 2001, an official dedication and grand opening ceremonies are held.
Throughout the decade, new fundraising methods are implemented, including the Inside Story luncheon event, Adopt-a-Periodical, and Library Lovers Month.
2006: After researching other community based funding models, the TCPL Board of Trustees puts forth a referendum on the Ithaca City School District ballot seeking additional funding. The vote failed. But Foundation fundraising continued at a steady rate.
The 2010s: Campaigning to Create an Exceptional Public Library
2011: The Foundation begins investigating the feasibility of a capital campaign to add to TCPL's already stellar spaces
Professional staff grows, with the work aided by digital advances. The READATHON is launched as the Foundation's first Peer-to-Peer fundraising event
2014: The 21st Century Library Campaign is officially launched, with a goal of $2.75 million. A signature part of the campaign is the TCPL LEGO Build, where an 8-foot by 8-foot LEGO model of the reimagined library was built by our community.
2016: At the close of the campaign, more than $3.5 million was raised, to renovate and create new spaces, including the Edward J. Smith Teen Center, the Digital Lab, Makerspace, and Local History Room.
2017: The new spaces are opened to the public to much acclaim.
The 2020s: Big Changes, Virtual Adjustment and New Events
2020-2022: The Covid-19 pandemic raises new challenges for fundraising, moving the READATHON online and spawning Trivia Nights and our Wait Wait Don't Tell Me-inspired game show event, Hold On, Let Me Ask a Librarian
2023-present: New (in-person!) fundraising events like Silent Reading Parties and TCPL After Dark draw new donors and library advocates.
