Finger Lakes Library System

Celebrate Revolutionary history in your own backyard with the help of a new comprehensive guide from the NYS Library!

New York at 250: A Resource Guide for Public Libraries and Partners provides a practical framework, offering information and support materials for libraries and cultural institutions interested in developing public programs for the 250th commemoration.

Organized into three sections, the guide provides best practices, showcases examples of programs, and offers ways to stay connected. Turnkey event ideas are categorized by time commitment, making it easy for organizations of all sizes to find options that fit their capacity.

Download the guide today! Visit: http://purl.nysed.gov/nysl/1588653230

🧩🤩 The Shed Restaurant & Bar

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 2 is opening day! Proceeds from the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library Book Sale fund the Friends annual grants that support Tompkins County Public Library, the Finger Lakes Library System, and other libraries in the area.

The Ulysses Philomathic Library is working to make the library more accessible for all with their sidewalk project. Read their post to find out more.

Happy Monday! What's happening in the library's side yard? It's a project years in the making!

Thanks to a gift of land from our former neighbor John Ullberg and a State Aid for Library Construction grant, we are finally installing a sidewalk that will connect our parking lot and back entrances to our outdoor programming space, all the way to South Street. This project makes a commonly-used cut-through path much safer for all: it increases accessibility for our patrons using walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers, and supports easier program setup for our staff members and volunteers.

Access Mango Languages for free with your library card. Visit https://www.flls.org/public/ to learn more.

Learning a language is about small wins that build up over time. Sometimes, a win looks like simply saying “hola” and seeing where it takes you.

Share this post with someone you're proud of 🧡

Ever wonder what happens to the books left over after our sales?

Before anything else, we invite local non-profits to come in on the final day of the book sale to take whatever they need for their own missions—completely free of charge! We love seeing these stories continue to serve our neighbors.

Any books remaining after that are packed and sent to Better World Books. Not only does this keep books out of landfills (damaged books are responsibly recycled), but for every book purchased on their website, another is donated to someone in need.

Are you with a local non-profit? If you’d like to pick up books for your organization, please contact our Library Director, Jenny Burnett, at (315) 568-8265 x3 approximately one week before our next sale in September 2026 to make arrangements!

🎨 LCL All-Ages Animal Storytelling Through Art: Watercolor Workshop

Let your imagination run wild in this creative, nature-inspired art experience!

Join the Johnson Museum of Art for a hands-on watercolor workshop inspired by wildlife in volcanic landscapes. Artist Alexis Rockman is known for using natural elements and animal forms to tell powerful visual stories—now it’s your turn to do the same!

What story can you discover hidden in a bird’s beak… or a fox’s claws?

Guided by Carol Hockett from the Johnson Museum of Art, participants will explore watercolor techniques while creating their own animal-inspired artwork. This fun, family-friendly program is open to all ages—no experience needed!

📅 Saturday, April 25
⏰ 10:30 – 11:30 AM
📍 Lansing Community Library

Register your spot today:
https://forms.gle/6sT729VX3Nh2Q2Zq6