Author Archive

Genealogy Research

Graphic of a tree with people in it, reminiscent of a family tree. Adult and child silhouette standing underneath.

Learn More About Your Heritage Before the Holidays

This will be a great conversation topic at the holiday dinner table! Research and trace your family’s history with free databases through the Library:

1) FamilySearch – we are a Family Search Affiliate Library! This means that if you go on Family Search from our website (while in the library), you gain access to approximately 400 million images that are not currently available to the public outside of an affiliate library or a FamilySearch center. There are billions of ancestor profiles, photographs, & historical documents.
2) Ancestry (Library Edition) – one of the premier tools for genealogical research (access inside the Library)
3) Heritage Quest – trace your ancestors with this helpful database of genealogical resources (access from anywhere!).
4) Fold3 (formerly Footnote), by Ancestry – discover your family’s military past! Gain access to historic documents & images through partnerships with US National Archives, The Library of Congress, & other institutions (access from anywhere)

Find these databases & resources at emmaclark.org/onlineresearch

Questions? Email askus@emmaclark.org

Community Volunteer Fair Back at Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – September 5, 2024 –

For those looking to serve and better the community, consider stopping by Emma Clark Library’s Community Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, September 25 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome to explore opportunities by meeting and speaking with representatives from local organizations seeking volunteers. In addition to becoming involved and being an engaged citizen, volunteering is a great way to get acquainted with your neighbors and make new friends. Volunteer work can enhance a resume or college application as well.

Registration is not necessary to attend the Volunteer Fair, and all are welcome (both teens and adults, as well as Three Village residents and non-residents). The Library is hosting over a dozen organizations at the event, and below is list of those scheduled to be in attendance (as of September 3):

American Red Cross
Avalon Nature Preserve
Bethel Hobbs Community Farm
Emma Clark Library’s Teen Department
Guide Dog Foundation
Last Chance Animal Rescue
Open Door Exchange
Parker Jewish Institute – Willing Hearts, Helpful Hands Program
Sisters of St. Joseph
Sweetbriar Nature Center
Theatre Three
Three Village Historical Society
Three Village Lending Aids Society
Ward Melville Heritage Organization

Furthermore, there will be a table with materials from organizations who were unable to attend the fair but are also looking for volunteers. Anyone with questions about this program is encouraged to email askus@emmaclark.org or call 631.941.4080.

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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Local History Classes

Close up of old map of Suffolk County, Long Island

Join us for classes & events that explore the unique history of Long Island, and learn how to research your family’s ancestry. We have the following events and classes coming up in September and October:

11th Annual Culper Spy Day (In Person) – Saturday, September 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Click here for more info.

Introduction to FamilySearch Genealogy (In-Person)
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Emma Clark is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library! Join the Terryville (Port Jefferson Station) FamilySearch Center’s volunteer, Eileen Swanberg, to learn how to set up your free account and start your genealogy research using the world’s largest collection of genealogical material available. Here you will learn how to use the different search functions to optimize your searches and build your family tree. Click here to register now.

George Washington Slept Here (In-Person)
Monday, September 15, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
After the Revolutionary War ended on September 3, 1783, one of George Washington’s first acts as the new President was to come to Long Island for a “Grand Tour” to thank those who helped defeat of the British. Join Eco-Photo Explorers as they trace Washington’s route, share stories of his visit, and tell you what became of the locations he visited. Open to all Suffolk County residents. Click here to register now.

Haunted Long Island Mysteries (In-Person)
Thursday, October 9, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Award-winning author and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky, along with medium/paranormal investigator Joe Giaquinto, will delight you with tales of their ghostly adventures, which interweave local history and the spiritual realm. They discuss the research and investigations behind the making of Kerriann’s book, Haunted Long Island Mysteries. During their lecture, you will see a presentation of the places they have visited and listen to EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomenon, along with fascinating Ghost Box recordings from their field investigations. A book signing, with books available to purchase, will follow. Open to all Suffolk County residents. Click here to register now.

Questions? Email askus@emmaclark.org

Image: A map of Long Island in 1815 from Wikimedia Commons.

Teen/Tween Takeover Days

We host “Teen & Tween Takeover” Days, providing an opportunity for those in Grades 6 – 12 to spend the day at the Library with back-to-back programs over the course of one day.

Sunday, January 18, 2026. Sign up for one or more of these programs:

Seed Packet Processing, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Count, pack, and label seed packets for our Seed Library. Earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.

Comfort and Cocoa, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Write messages of empowerment for survivors of human trafficking on a piece of felt, creating a quilt which will be donated to SCATI (Suffolk County Anti Trafficking Initiative). We will serve hot cocoa during the program. Taught by Danielle DiMauro. Earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.

Nintendo Switch Tournament, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Bring your friends and meet other gamers at this Nintendo Switch Tournament! The Library will provide all equipment; teens are welcome to bring their own wireless controllers if they prefer. Snacks will be provided; winning teens and tweens get prizes. Click here to register now.

Questions? Email teens@emmaclark.org

Emma Clark’s Little Free Library at the Beach Open Early

Setauket, NY – May 9, 2024 –

Due to popular demand, the Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach hosted by Emma Clark Library was installed before the usual time so that beachgoers may enjoy books even longer. Its official opening was Thursday, May 9!

A literary summer tradition, the Little Free Library at the beach has been going strong since its inception in 2016. After close to ten years, the structure itself had taken quite a beating; therefore, Library employees have built a replacement cabinet, once again constructed from recycled materials. You might recognize the sides of the structure, which were assembled from end caps of previous library shelving units. The legs of the cabinet were made from an old library chair.

This “Take a Book or Leave a Book” concept inspires beachgoers to read, share, and reuse and encourages lifelong reading. It is located under the pavilion at the beach. Visitors are encouraged to grab a book and/or donate one. The books are all donated by the public and cater to all ages. This little library is possible thanks in part to many generous booklovers (books are not curated or owned by Emma Clark – don’t return your library books here!). Library teen volunteers “adopt” the library each week to ensure that it is neat, undamaged, and well-stocked.

There is no need to live in Three Village to participate, as long as you are a visitor to the beach. The Town of Brookhaven and Environmental Educator Nicole Pocchiare have once again graciously given their consent for Emma Clark to host the Little Free Library at the beach.

“I was happy to take part in the installation of the Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach again this year,” remarked Councilman Jonathan Kornreich. “The dedication of Emma Clark Library to providing access to books and knowledge for the community, especially younger readers, is truly commendable. I see the positive impact this resource has on the residents of our town. Thank you to all involved for continuing this project for nine consecutive years.”

Little Free Libraries have become an international phenomenon since their inception in 2010, and Little Free Library was established as a nonprofit organization in 2012 in Wisconsin. According to the official Little Free Library website, there are over 150,000 registered book-sharing boxes across the United States and 120 countries worldwide. Emma Clark’s Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach is registered on www.littlefreelibrary.org and can be found on the site’s official map of all Little Free Libraries.

Emma Clark Library is delighted to increase access to books for all ages and promote the exchange of books within the community, enhancing a day at the beloved West Meadow Beach.

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