Your destination for all the latest updates on the renovations
TCPL is transforming...
Phase II in the construction of our 21st Century Library is underway!
In Phase I, we laid the groundwork – literally, with new carpet; shifting of collections; construction of a new wall; creation of a storage area; restroom renovations; and the first phase of work on the Teen Center, including the creation of an office for the Teen Services Librarian.
In Phase II, the Teen Center – the former Fiction Area – is being retrofitted with electricity and data to support the new activities. Special furnishings have been selected to facilitate quiet study, group work, and a variety of programs, from gaming and book clubs to activities to foster creativity and personal development.
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The 21st Century Lab is up next for construction, to create an instruction lab, “makerspace,” and an area for individuals and pairs to take proctored tests, learn languages, and experiment with the 3-D printer.
Also on the horizon: a local history room, additional study rooms, and a new conference room, to accommodate the exceptionally high demand for meeting space.
The entire project is scheduled to be completed later this fall, so stay tuned for more news and opportunities to learn about "your giving in action".
We can’t wait to celebrate the completion of our 21st century library with you. Please save the date on your calendar: Friday, October 13, 5:00 – 7:00 PM (time to be confirmed). That’ll be our chance to celebrate and unveil our long-awaited new spaces and services.
Fall is just around the corner, and the entire community will have many new corners to explore at TCPL!
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Please explore below for specific renovation updates. For more information about the closure or upcoming renovations, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 275-1548.
Phase I of our 21 Century Library renovations
made possible by:
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public support of the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation’s 21st Century Library Campaign
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a New York State Dormitory Authority Grant sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton
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a New York State Public Library Construction Grant sponsored by the Finger Lakes Library System
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County maintenance funds
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For more information about the renovations, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 275-1548.
Phase I :
Carpeting
The Tompkins County Public Library replaced the majority of the library carpet during Phase I of the renovations. With new colors designating different areas of the library, your 21st Century Library will be brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable than ever.
New carpet has already been installed in much of the library, with renovations to the BorgWarner Community Rooms and some of the small meeting rooms to be completed later this spring.
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Carpeting and adhesive specifications can be found here.
Collection space expansion
In order to keep pace with our every-growing collections, TCPL has torn down some walls and rearranged some of our stacks to create brand new shelving areas inside our library. With the Adult Fiction portion of our collection relocated from its previous home, we have created new space that will be especially important as we continue to transform into our new 21st Century Library.
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We promise we won't waste an inch of our library; we'll use every possible space to bring you books, resources and materials.
Public and staff restrooms
We heard and listened to our patrons that our restrooms were in need of an upgrade. Thanks to a New York State Library Construction Grant, Phase I of our renovations included a complete remodeling and upgrading of TCPL's public restrooms. With new tiling and eco-friendly, water saving fixtures, the new bathrooms are brighter, more sustainable, and more environmentally friendly.
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Please feel free to use our new brand new facilities.
Teen center, offices, and storage
TCPL should be a safe space for all of our patrons, no matter their age. A true 21st Century Library should have a space for our County's teens and young adults, and the existing space in Youth Services is too small to accommodate their needs.
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So we're creating a brand new Teen Center at TCPL, located in the space formerly occupied by the Adult Fiction collection.
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While the majority of the renovations to create a new Teen Center in the library will be undertaken during Phase II of the project, Phase I included the construction of new office and storage space for our Teen Service staff. We can't wait to show you what we have planned.
Staff offices
For many years, TCPL shared the building we all know and love with the Finger Lakes Library System. Unfortunately, the building just wasn't big enough for their growing needs. In 2014, FLLS relocated to a beautiful new building on Route 13. With County support, we were given the opportunity to make some big changes in the space they vacated.
Phase I of the renovations saw the construction of new staff office space for our Information and Learning Services and Technical Services staff.
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Staff have begun the process of relocating into their brand new space. This will free up the area they currently occupy for further exciting renovations to take place in Phase II, including the construction of a new Digital Learning Lab, an office for the County Historian and public study spaces.
What's been moved
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Microfilms
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Large Print
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Sci-Fi
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Mystery
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Adult Fiction
-- The Microfilm Machines have been relocated from the rear South East corner of the Library.
-- The Large Print Collections have been moved to the stacks to the North of the Ezra Cornell portrait.
-- The Sci-Fi and Fantasy Collections have been moved to the stacks to the North of the Ezra Cornell portrait.
-- The Mystery Collections have been moved to the stacks to the North of the Exra Cornell portrait.
-- The Adult Fiction Collections have been moved to the stacks to the North of the Ezra Cornell portrait
