The Heart of the Three Village Community
Author Archive
At the Museum
We’ve partnered with The Long Island Museum for a collaborative program this summer!
At the Museum: Meet the Author
Tuesday, July 21, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Long Island Museum (Carriage Museum)
Librarian Emma Yohannan will moderate a lively conversation with special guest, Claire Bellerjeau, co-author of Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth (Liss). You are encouraged to read the book ahead of time and participate in the Q&A session. Afterwards, you’ll have time to visit the exhibition The Seat of Action: Long Island in the American Revolution and Beyond, where Long Island Museum educators will be stationed to answer your questions. Event will begin in the Gillespie Room in the Carriage Museum.
Open to residents and nonresidents – register here with a valid Suffolk County library card now.
Plus! An Evening Book Discussion at the Library:
Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution
Monday, July 13, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Emma Clark Library
Join us for an intimate book discussion at the Library in preparation for meeting the author at the Museum! Discussion will be facilitated by Librarian Emma Yohannan.
Open to residents and nonresidents – register here with a valid Suffolk County library card now.
Accessing the Book
A limited number of copies of Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth (Liss) will be available to borrow at the Circulation Desk beginning on June 22. The ebook is also available to borrow in the Libby app.
About The Long Island Museum Exhibit:
The Seat of Action: Long Island in the American Revolution and Beyond – In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, The Seat of Action spotlights the experiences of the Long Island region during the Revolutionary War, an area that was under martial law and British control longer than any other part of the American colonies. In the years between the Battle of Long Island (August 1776) and the liberation of New York (November 1783), military occupation led to the loss and destruction of property, the separation of families, and atrocious levels of suffering across this area. This exhibition features a rich array of artifacts and paintings, including a rare portrait of General George Washington’s spymaster, Benjamin Tallmadge (1754–1835) (member of the famous Culper Spy Ring), on loan from the Litchfield Historical Society. The general experience for Long Islanders over those seven years was one that witnessed large-scale population evacuation and the destruction of churches, woodlands, agriculture, and livestock as British forces used the area as a source of sustenance for their larger war effort. The post-Revolutionary War era was one of profound reconstruction across Long Island. At the same time, the tragic impacts of the war also brought about powerful and transformative legacies, leading to more democratic politics across this region and to the eventual end of slavery, both on Long Island and in New York State.This exhibition is part of LIM’s America250 celebration, featuring special exhibitions and related programming.
About The Book:
Museum Passes
Please note, if you are visiting the museum any other time, we offer free passes. More information on our Museum Pass Collection.
Have questions?
Please contact Emma Yohannan at eyohannan@emmaclark.org or call 631-941-4080.
Kids’ Programs with the SRC Theme
In celebration of the Summer Reading theme “Unearth A Story”, your kids will have a roaring good time and make new discoveries at these dinosaur and archaeological-themed programs:
Petra Puppets: Fossil Funhouse (Grades K – 5)
Tuesday, June 30, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Why do Pterodactyls love raviolis? How can you stop a Sneezasaurus from sneezing? Kids will uncover the answers with a cast of goofy dinosaurs, funny fossils and mysterious hidden raviolis, featuring: Grandma Pterry – the Pterodactyl, Tiny Tony- the Baby T Rex, Julius Sneezasauarus and Dennis the Prehistoric Clam. Come and have a Dino Time! Reserve your child’s spot here now.
Bee Bot: Dino Adventure (Grades PreK – 1)
Tuesday, June 30, 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
Program Bee Bots for an exciting dinosaur safari adventure! Reserve your child’s spot here now.
Bee Bot: Dino Coding Challenge (Grades 2 – 5)
Tuesday, June 30, 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Get Bee Bots moving as you code your way through exciting challenges! Reserve your child’s spot here now.
Sensational Sharks (Grades 2 – 5 with caregiver)
Monday, July 6, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Get hands-on with shark artifacts brought to you by Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program. Call the Library at 631.941.4080 ext. 123 to reserve your 15-minute time slot beginning 6/29.
Digging for Dinosaurs (Ages 3 – 5 years with caregiver)
Thursday, July 9, 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Your child will learn the differences between meat-eating and plant-eating animals with Mad Science. Each child will get to make imprints, just like a paleontologist, to take home. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/2.
Unearth an Ancient Machine (Grades 1 – 5)
Thursday, July 9, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Take a journey across time, with Mad Science, and discover the archaeological secrets of our world. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/2.
Dino Delights (Grades K – 5)
Friday, July 10, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Decorate cupcakes with prehistoric prints and dino eggs. Presented by Fanny Cakes Custom Cakes and Gourmet Desserts. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/3.
Prehistoric Pop (Grades K – 5)
Monday, July 13, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Paint and then “burst open” a canvas to reveal a hidden prehistoric world. Presented by Lisa Colon. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/6.
Do You Dig It? (Grades K – 5)
Wednesday, July 15, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Explore a unique “dig site” to unearth evidence and construct a story about who might have been there. Presented by the Long Island Explorium. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/8.
Nursery Rhyme Sing Along: Dinosaurs (Newborns – 5 years old with caregiver)
Thursday, July 16, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Join Meghan for dinosaur songs that build communication and sound skills. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/9.
Sculpt-a-saurus (Grades 1 – 5)
Monday, July 20, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Create a clay dinosaur with Art Teacher Amy. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/13.
Dino Dance Party (Ages 3 – 8 years old)
Saturday, July 25, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Stomp, spin, and groove at Terra Triceratops’ dino dance party! Presented by Timeless Tales. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/18.
Fossil Fun Lab (Grades K – 5)
Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Learn the difference between cast and mold fossils and make your very own set of fossils! Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/22.
Unearth a Story: Let’s Dance (Ages 18 – 35 months with caregiver AND Ages 3 – 5 years old)
Thursday, July 30, 2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Join the Great South Bay Dance Co. and your child will use dinosaur-inspired imagery to explore locomotor and non-locomotor movements such as stomping, crawling, shaking and twisting.
Ages 18 – 35 months, 1:15 – 2:00 p.m.: Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/23.
Ages 3 – 5 years, 2:15 – 3:00 p.m.: Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/23.
Dinosaur Egg Hunt (Families with children ages 3 – 11 years old)
Sunday, August 2, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Join us for a special dinosaur egg hunt inside the Library. Call us at 631-941-4080 ext. 123 to reserve your spot beginning 7/24.
Dino Abduction Mini Painting (Grades 2 – 5)
Wednesday, August 5, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Capture a fun conspiracy theory depicting prehistoric giants being abducted by aliens. Presented by Lisa Colon. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/29.
Tic Tac Dino Boards (Grades 1 – 5)
Friday, August 7, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Make an adorable dinosaur-themed tic-tac-toe game with Jackie Parente. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 7/31.
Fossil Finders (Ages 4 – 7 years old)
Monday, August 10, 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Observe, experiment with, and hunt for fossils! Reserve your child’s spot here starting 8/3.
Nursery Rhyme Sing Along: Dinosaurs (Newborns – 5 years old with caregiver)
Tuesday, August 11, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Join Meghan for dinosaur songs that build communication and sound skills. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 8/4.
Dino Doodles (Grades K – 2)
Tuesday, August 11, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Turn simple tracing and coloring into a cute dino illusion. Reserve your child’s spot here starting 8/4.
Dino String Art (Families with children in Grades 2 – 5)
Friday, August 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Families will work together to create a geometric dinosaur with a string, a hammer, and nails. Presented by Jackie Parente. Reserve your family’s spot here starting 8/7.
Past Programs for “Unearth A Story”
Take & Make: SRC Dinosaur Art Community Service (Grades 3 – 5)
Monday, May 11
Get ready to roar with creativity! Kids will design colorful dinosaurs on canvas, creating awesome
dino masterpieces that will help decorate our library for the Summer Reading Challenge. Pick up your
art kit starting on Mon., May 11 and return your creative work of art by Tue., May 26. Participants will
earn two hours of community service credit. Only one kit per child. Reserve your kit now!
Decorating with Chef Rob: Digging for Dinosaurs Dessert Cups (Grades K – 5)
Saturday, June 6, 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. OR 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Create a dessert cup to take home!
Reserve your child’s spot for the 12:00 class here starting 5/23.
Reserve your child’s spot for the 12:30 class here starting 5/23.
Questions? Email kids@emmaclark.org
Goat Yoga
Goat Yoga on the Library Lawn
Open to Adults, Teens/Tweens, and Children in Grades K – 5
Friday, July 24, multiple times from 2:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Note age ranges in timeslots)
Join us on the Library Lawn for Goat Yoga, featuring baby goats from LI Pony Parties and Petting Zoo and an instructor from Satya Yoga & Pilates. Be ready to stretch, pose, and become climbing challenges for the goats! Bring a yoga mat or a towel, a water bottle, and wear clothes you are willing to interact with goats in.
Registration and important information: Animal attendants and Library Staff will be on hand to supervise Goat Yoga. Adults and Teens & Tweens entering Grades 6-12 may attend independently; Children entering Grades K – 5 must attend with a supervising adult (supervising adult may participate and does not need to register). All attendees must complete a waiver before participating in Goat Yoga. Waiver will be emailed to all participants.
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. session:
Kids (with caregiver), register for the 2:45 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
Teens/Tweens, register for the 2:45 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. session:
Kids (with caregiver), register for the 4:00 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
Teens/Tweens, register for the 4:00 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
5:15 – 6:00 p.m. session:
Adults, register for the 5:15 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
Teens/Tweens, register for the 5:15 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
6:30 – 7:15 p.m. session:
Adults, register for the 6:30 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
Teens/Tweens, register for the 6:30 p.m. session here starting on 6/29
Please only register for one session, thank you!
Questions? Email emily@emmaclark.org
Winners of the 12th Annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest Honored
Setauket, NY – April 28, 2026 –
On Monday evening, Board members and staff of Emma Clark Library, along with the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, local elected officials, and representatives from the Three Village Central School district and The Stony Brook School honored teens and tweens at the 12th annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award:
First Prize (Grades 6 – 8 category): Bunny and the Bluejay by Vivienne Rochlin-Hizver (7th grader at P.J. Gelinas Middle School)
First Prize (Grades 9 – 12 category): The Penguins Go to the City by Elizabeth Wright (11th grader at Ward Melville High School)
Second Prize (Grades 6 – 8 category): Ricky and the Beach by Maddex Buonaspina (7th grader at R. C. Murphy Middle School)
Second Prize (Grades 9 – 12 category): Seven Meals Around the World by Genevieve Rochlin (11th grader at The Stony Brook School)
Library Director Theresa Liguori, along with the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, presented the winners’ books – bound and added to the Library’s Local Focus Collection – along with certificates and $400 checks to first prize winners Vivienne Rochlin-Hizver and Elizabeth Wright and $100 checks for second prize winners Maddex Buonaspina and Genevieve Rochlin. Ms. Liguori remarked, “All of these books are delightful expressions of creativity and imagination.”
Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright, Councilmember Jonathan Korneich, and a staff member from Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s office were in attendance, and they presented certificates to the winners. The winners also received certificates from New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo.
The award is named in honor of Helen Stein Shack, whose family approached the Library with the idea of establishing an endowment as a tribute to their mother, a teacher and lover of libraries, especially Emma Clark Library. Their gift covers the cost of the awards and passes along Ms. Shack’s joy of reading and lifelong learning to future generations. Karen Shack Reid, one of Ms. Stein Shack’s daughters, addressed the winners with a special message:
Keep in mind, you didn’t just submit a piece of work. You’ve completed a book. You’ve crafted a story. You shaped your vision. You followed it through to the end and that alone is an achievement most people can’t do. Let it remind you always of what you’re capable of. My mother would be proud of your talent, no doubt, but she would be more proud of your courage. She also believed that your confidence grows each time you share your voice with the world… let this award be a reminder that you have everything it takes to keep creating, keep growing, and keep believing in your own abilities.
Of course, children’s literature was a theme of the evening, with Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich commenting, “I’m very well aware of the power… that a good children’s book can have to literally alter the trajectory of a child’s life and change their whole perspective… and how they engage their minds and get involved.”
Three Village Central School District Board President Susan Megroz Rosenzweig expressed her excitement and joy to see these original books on the shelves of Emma Clark Library. “I cannot wait for all of the kids from Three Village and beyond to plunk down upstairs in one of my most favorite places, the children’s library, and break out those books and go into the world that you built for them.”
Library Board Vice President Carol Leister, Secretary Angeline Yeo-Judex, and Trustees Debroah Blair, Stephen Ingulli, and Linda Josephs were in attendance to congratulate the winners. In addition to Susan Megroz Rosenzweig, Assistant Superintendent Brian Biscari, Director Fine Arts Ashley Ockner, Ward Melville High School Principal John Holownia, Gelinas Middle School Principal Corinne Keane, Murphy Middle School Principal Michael Jantzen, Ward Melville High School English Department Chairperson Joanna Nizza, Murphy Librarian Ellen Dove, and Murphy English Teacher Susan Keenan were all there in support of their students, along with the Head of the English Department at The Stony Brook School, Jacob Morley.
Guests enjoyed sweets by The Bite Size Bake Shop, a local Three Village-owned business that has been donating desserts to the ceremony since the contest began twelve years ago.
Legislator Steve Englebright summed up the celebration in his remarks, “Congratulations to each of the winners and for bringing us a chance to know that going forward we’re going to see more creativity and more wonderful products of your imagination.”
The Helen Stein Shack Book Contest calls for teens and tweens in grades 6 through 12 who live in the Three Village Central School District to create a children’s picture book. Each entry could be the work of a single author/illustrator or a collaborative effort between an author and an illustrator. The contest was divided into two grade categories, grades 6 through 8 and grades 9 through 12, with one First Prize Winner and one Second Prize Winner selected from each group.
The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, located at 120 Main Street in Setauket and on the web at www.emmaclark.org, provides public library service to all residents of the Three Village Central School District. “The Heart of the Three Village Community”
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