Author Archive

5th Annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest at Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – October 24, 2018 –

2019 marks the 5^th annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award at Emma Clark Library, a contest for junior high and high school students in Three Village, which showcases the the young writing and artistic talent right here in our community.  The very first year the winning entries had two unique protagonists – “Lenny the Lion” and “Lilabet” – and over the years the creative characters have included girls named Judy and Claire, kids from all of our local elementary schools, and even a sock!

The Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest opens with entry forms available at Emma Clark Library and on the Library’s website starting Friday, November 16, 2018.  It calls for teens grades 7 through 12 who live in the Three Village Central School District to create a children’s picture book.  Winning authors will receive a monetary prize, have their book bound and added to the Library’s collection, and be recognized at an awards ceremony on Monday evening, April 8, 2019.  This reception is well-attended by teachers and administrators from the school district, as well as local elected officials.

The contest is divided into two grade categories, grades 7 through 9 and grades 10 through 12, with one First Prize Winner and one Second Prize Winner selected from each group.  Each entry can be the work of a single author/illustrator or can be a collaborative effort of an author and an illustrator.

Each of the First Prize award recipients will receive $400, and each of the Second Prize award recipients will receive $100 (in the event that a winning entry is a collaboration between an artist and artist/illustrator, the prize will be shared).  The winning entries will also be bound and added to the Children’s Local Focus Collection.  All entrants will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Teens may obtain an Official Entry Form in-person in the Library’s lobby or online at emmaclark.org/picturebookaward starting November 16, 2018.  Included with the form are the contest procedures & guidelines.  They should bring their completed picture book, along with a completed Official Entry Form, to The Children’s Department anytime between January 2 – 31, 2019.

Last year’s Grand Prize winners were Rebecca Blumenthal (Grades 7 – 9 category) and Nicole Freeley (Grades 10 – 12 category).  The public may view previous year’s winning entries at emmaclark.org/picturebookaward.

This award is given in memory of Helen Stein Shack by her family.  As a teacher, Mrs. Shack was committed to the education of children, and she especially loved literature written for them.  She was a frequent visitor to Emma Clark Library where, even in retirement, she kept current with the latest children’s books.  The Library is grateful to the children of the late Mrs. Shack who have established a substantial endowment with the Library to cover the ongoing cost of the prizes.

This very special endeavor underlines the importance of children’s literature on our future generations.  Brain development, language skills, and family bonding are all nourished through books.  The teens who create these picture books are able to express themselves through their writing and artwork in a way that resonates with children.  The Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest crosses generations and is truly a gift for the entire community.

Please note:  A maximum of one entry will be accepted per author. Entries may be a collaboration of no more than one author and one artist/illustrator. Emma Clark employees, trustees, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.

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”

Three Projects at Emma Clark Library Honor Veterans

Setauket, NY – October 3, 2018 –

In time for Veterans Day, Emma Clark Library has three programs to honor our United States veterans.

Emma Clark has partnered with the Library of Congress to help preserve our community’s rich history through the Veterans History Project.  Library staff members will conduct interviews with U.S. military veterans, from any conflict, who are willing to share their experiences and stories.  This initiative was originally started by the Library of Congress in 2000, and Emma Clark is thrilled to assist in creating these firsthand narratives.

Making oral history accessible is a key component to the documentation.  Interviews will run from thirty minutes to one hour each and will be recorded at the Library.  Completed interviews will be added to the Library’s YouTube channel for public viewing and also archived in the Library of Congress.  Participating veterans will receive a personal DVD copy of their interview.  For more information, veterans should call the Library’s Adult Reference Desk at 631.941.4080 ext. 127.  This is an ongoing program; Emma Clark wants to hear from you and preserve your story.

For the 2^nd year, starting Thursday, November 1, Emma Clark will have a Veterans Board, which will be located in the Library’s lobby, to highlight our veterans.  The public may bring in a photo of their favorite veteran to the Library’s Circulation Desk or Adult Reference Desk and fill out a quick form about the veteran.  Library staff will display the picture on the Veterans Board.   The veteran highlighted may be the person them self, a friend, or a family member who served in uniform.  The Veterans Board will be exhibited through Wednesday, November 21, and the original photos will be available for pick-up at the Circulation Desk after Monday, November 26.

Kids may also join in honoring our country’s veterans and current troops at the Library.  The Children’s Department is offering a volunteer opportunity that has been very successful in the past.  “Letters To Our Troops and Veterans” class will be held on Friday, November 9 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. for students in 5^th and 6^th grades.  Participants will earn community service for the class.  Registration begins on October 26.

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”