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Library Buddies and Virtual Story Time: Connecting with Kids

Setauket, NY – May 15, 2020 –

People of all ages miss the Library, but they can still connect with Emma Clark Library’s staff and get that community feel. Two new ways that the children’s department is doing just that is by bringing the children’s librarians into Three Village homes…virtually, of course!

First is the “Library Buddies” program, where kids can have personalized, one-on-one time with their favorite librarian. The children’s librarians will read stories to kids and chat with them. Kids can show the librarians their favorite toys, stuffed animals, knick knacks, pets, songs, what they’ve read at home…or they can even read to librarian! It’s similar to a Show-and-Tell session and is all about making the child feel comfortable and happy. Parents or caregivers may request for their child to speak virtually with one of the librarians in Emma Clark Library’s children’s department by emailing kids@emmaclark.org. In the email, please include:

The first name and age of the child.
Library barcode number (either child or parent).
Which Librarian the child would like to “hang out” with.
Preferred day and time to meet virtually.

The Librarians will email back to confirm, as well as include instructions on how to join via Zoom.

The Library is also hosting “Virtual Story Time with Mr. Brian” every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Brian Debus, Head Children’s Librarian, will read some of his favorite stories. After the Story Time, participants will receive a link for a simple craft that can be done at home. Parents or caregivers may register their children for the virtual story time by visiting emmaclark.org/virtual-classes-events. Library cardholders may sign up for one session or all.

Both of these programs will take place on the Zoom platform and are for Three Village children ages 3 years old through 2^nd grade.

“On behalf of the librarians here at Emma Clark, I know we all miss the children’s smiling faces, and we can’t wait to see them at the Library again,” says Mr. Debus. “But in the meantime, I hope that what we’re doing virtually through the Library keeps the children and their parents happy. Because in the long run, it’s all about the happiness of the children.”

These two new programs are in addition to the DIY Library Story Time @Home, a service that was announced at the beginning of April. This “virtual story time kit”, curated by the children’s librarians, contains educational and fun activities around the theme and text of a book chosen by the patron. These complete and meaningful story time plans can easily be done from home. More information can be found at www.emmaclark.org/diylibrarystorytime/.

If Emma Clark Library patrons have questions about how to use Zoom or any other technology-related questions, they are welcome to take advantage of “Time with a Tech”, personalized one-on-one technology help. To do so, Library cardholders simply send an email to techhelp@emmaclark.org and include their library barcode number & phone number. Jen Mullen, Technology Librarian, or Bob Johnson, Information Technology Manager, will call that number back between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, located at 120 Main Street in Setauket and online at emmaclark.org, provides public library service to all residents of the Three Village Central School District.

“The Heart of the Three Village Community”

Library Buddies (3 years old – 2nd grade)

Kids Can Now Have One-On-One Time With Their Favorite Librarian

We all miss the Library, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun together. We’ll now bring the Children’s Librarians into your home…virtually, of course! Through the “Library Buddies” program, kids can have one-on-one time with their favorite librarian. We’ll read stories to your kids and chat with them. Kids can show us their favorite toys, stuffed animals, knick knacks, pets, songs, what they’ve read at home…or they can even read to us! Whatever makes your child feel comfortable.

This program is for kids ages 3 years old – 2nd grade. It’s similar to a Show-and-Tell session, but it takes place on the Zoom platform. Request to speak virtually with one of the Librarians in the Children’s Department by emailing kids@emmaclark.org. In the email, please include:

– First name and age of your child.

– Library barcode number (either child or parent).

– Librarian you would like to “hang out” with.

– Preferred day and time to meet virtually.

Our Librarians will get back to you to confirm, as well as include instructions on how to join via Zoom.

Tell Us Your Interests!

We value your feedback!

To help us plan for future classes and events, please take a few moments to complete this very brief survey to let us know what topics you are interested in learning about.

Please note: This survey is specifically for Adult Classes.

Check Out The Artwork By Our Talented Young Patrons!

Click here to view the Emma Kids Virtual Art Show!

Do your kids want to show off their artwork to the community?

Kids living in Three Village (up to 6^th grade) can submit a photo or scanned copy of original artwork – including paintings, drawings, sculpture and mixed media works – via email to Marcela Lenihan, Children’s Services Librarian,at marcela@emmaclark.org by May 31, 2020. Please include:

– Artwork attached to the email

– The artist’s full name, age, grade, and elementary school (only the child’s first name, age and grade will be displayed)

– If they would like community service credit for their submission, please request one in the email. Limit of 1 hour of community service per student.

In June, we’ll have a Kids Virtual Art Show. Artwork will be displayed in a slideshow posted on the Library’s social media and website! We can’t wait to see the creativity!

“Let’s Chat” Virtual Series and Classes Hosted by Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – April 23, 2020 –

Many feel isolated during this time of social distancing, so Emma Clark Library has created a few “Let’s Chat” series to bring that personal connection to the community:

Let’s Chat – We miss our library friends, so we’re beginning virtual chat sessions on Tuesdays, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12noon, beginning on April 28. Until we can again chat in person, we plan to gather via Zoom. Each weekly session will be led by Emma Clark Librarians and have a different theme. For Three Village residents only. Registration required. Questions? Email askus@emmaclark.org.

Let’s Chat: Teen Edition – Who else needs to chill and talk? We’re going to get together and hang out virtually on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. weekly, starting April 28. Let’s “meet-up” and talk about whatever YOU want. We can talk about all the crazy stuff going on now – social distancing & coping methods, remote schooling tips, how to keep in touch while in quarantine. Or even just the latest trends in pop culture, what we’re reading, or what we’re binge-watching. We’ll have Conversation Facilitators to keep things going. If you’d like, you can even submit anonymous questions or topics you want to discuss in advance when you register. For Three Village residents in grades 7 – 12 only. Registration required. Questions? Email teens@emmaclark.org.

Tech Talk with Jen and Bob – From smart home to smartphones, join us as we discuss all things technology related. We’ll be chatting live, online every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. & Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. Come with questions or just to learn something new! Jennifer Mullen is the Technology Librarian and Bob Johnson is the IT Manager at Emma Clark Library. Questions? Email techhelp@emmaclark.org.

Space is limited for all of these series. Register for each session separately at emmaclark.org/virtual-classes-events. To ensure a relaxing discussion, the library is keeping chat groups small. Once registered, the library will email you a participation link.

In addition to the Let’s Chat series, Emma Clark Library will have a variety of virtual classes such as book discussions and classes on gardening, art, science, & more. Visit emmaclark.org/virtual-classes-events for the latest offerings.

New to Zoom? You do not need to have your own Zoom account to participate in these meetings, but you must download the Zoom application onto your device (phone, tablet or laptop) the first time you attend a Zoom meeting. You can get assistance using Zoom by emailing techhelp@emmaclark.org.

The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, located at 120 Main Street in Setauket and online at emmaclark.org, provides public library service to all residents of the Three Village Central School District.