Ulysses Philomathic Library offerings back in full swing

After completion of an HVAC project that had left the Ulysses Philomathic Library (UPL) closed for an extended period of time in 2021, the beloved library located in the heart of Trumansburg is up and running again, offering the community a collection of programs and events that has been met with excitement from those anxiously awaiting its return.

This summer saw the library offering a focused summer reading program as well as passive reading challenges for both children and adults, teen and tween events held daily and the partnership with Trumansburg Harvest group (facebook.com/people/Trumansburg-Harvest/) providing free food, recipe cards and suggestions and food-themed activities for children in the Trumansburg community.

“We’ve been having programs for little ones all the way to teens,” said Library Director Laura Mielenhausen. “We have teen and tween events at 3:00 every day and will be extending that into the fall. There is access to computers as well as various activities. The feedback from the community has been amazing.”

The REV Theatre Company (therevtheatre.com/) has been on hand throughout the summer, presenting a variety of all-ages-welcome performances ranging from “The Fisherman and His Wife” to “A Mermaid’s Tale.”

“The theater company has been wonderful to have here,” Mielenhausen said. “Their performances were a welcome and exciting addition this summer.”

Looking to reduce barriers between connecting the community with free food, UPL partnered with Trumansburg Harvest group to provide free, healthy food options and recipe ideas for children every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. with the Kids’ Free Farmers Market. On Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m., free CSA (community supported agriculture) packages are at UPL and are available to anyone.

Local farms have worked in collaboration with the program. Offerings from Stick and Stone Farm, Full Plate Farm Collective and Sweet Land Farm have provided nutritional assistance, education and activities designed to introduce children to nutrition and educate them about its importance.

“The attendance for this event has grown steadily,” Mielenhausen said. “Having a grant from the Park Foundation, CSA shares were bought for this. Some community members also donated theirs if they would not be using them because they were going out of town or had something come up. We get things that come from all over. Although our last Kids’ Free Market will be on Aug. 25th, the Friday CSA offerings will go through October. This is another way UPL provides free and accessible services and support to the community.”

Fast approaching is the annual UPL book sale. In addition to a current birdbath raffle, the book sale will serve as another way to help fund library operations.

“The Ulysses Philomathic Library’s book sales are a great example of our community’s collaborative spirit, without which the twice-a-year event would not take place,” said UPL Trustee Rob Montana. “We rely on our community to work the sale, help with set up and clean up and to donate the books, music, movies, games and puzzles that are in the sale.”

This year’s book sale will coincide with the “Between the Lakes” Book Sale Trail. The UPL sale runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, 16 and 17. This year, Trumansburg joins libraries from neighboring communities — Waterloo, Seneca Falls, Ovid, Lodi and Interlaken — for a “Between the Lakes” Book Sale Trail day, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17. For the Ulysses Philomathic Library sale, pricing will be pay what you choose.

The sale closes out Sept. 18 for another pay-what-you-choose day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations for the sale are being accepted until Sept. 1 at the library.

“While we do raise some money to fund our operation, the real goal of our book sale is to raise friends,” Montana said. “We hope that the book sale helps us make more friends — people who are interested in becoming more involved by becoming a member through volunteering at the book sale or in the library or helping guide our vision as a trustee. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the library yet, come out to the book sale in September and check out what we’re all about.”

Information on the Ulysses Philomathic Library can be found on its website at trumansburglibrary.org/UPL/ and on its Facebook page at facebook.com/ulyssesphilomathiclibrary/.

Trumansburg Connection appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.

In brief:

School backpack program

Little Venice is hosting its annual back-to-school backpack program. The backpack program started last year as children were finally going back to an in-class setting after COVID-19 with over 50 backpacks available, all full of supplies and a gift card for a large pizza for the first day of school.

This year, Elmore Enterprises and Trimmers Ice Cream have joined forces with Little Venice to provide even more backpacks for the upcoming school year for parents who may be struggling to provide for families. Anyone in need or wishing to participate can message the Little Venice Facebook or email lvjgardner@gmail with the child’s name, favorite color and grade they are entering.