The Heart of the Three Village Community
Author Archive
Suicide Prevention Workshops
We’re offering two important workshops this summer on suicide prevention. Both of these programs will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024:
Teen Suicide Prevention, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
This program will teach teens about warning signs and risk factors, how to talk to a friend or peer that is considering suicide, how to connect a friend or peer to help, and how to support a friend or peer who is thinking about suicide. Teens will earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.
Suicide Prevention Program for Adults, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Learn the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, how to intervene with someone considering suicide, and how to refer them to appropriate help. Click here to register now.
These workshops will be presented by Eric Van Deusen, a certified QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor and Outreach Specialist for RISE Life Services‘ Suicide Prevention Program.
If you or someone you know if struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact 988 to connect with a crisis counselor 24/7.
Questions about the programs? Email askus@emmaclark.org or 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.
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”
###
Discount Tickets
We have discounted vouchers to The Adventure Park! The Adventure Park, located in Wheatley Heights, is Long Island’s largest outdoor aerial ropes course and ziplining park.
Vouchers are $39 (general admission is typically $69 for adults 14+ and $59 for children 7 – 13). Price includes equipment, harnessing, safety briefing, a practice session, and 3 hours of zipline and climbing fun in the trees! There is no expiration date.
Purchase a voucher at the Circulation Desk in the Library’s lobby. Once you obtain your individual, one-time voucher ticket code, you will follow the instructions on the back to book your ticket. As with all of our discounted tickets, purchasers must have valid Emma Clark Library cards, payment may be made by cash or check, and families may purchase up to 4 tickets per month.
Tickets are for general admission (7+ years). Please check directly with The Adventure Park for current guidelines. It is the patron’s responsibility to inquire about limited hours/services, additional fees, or any policies prior to their visit.
Supplies are limited. Some restrictions apply. All purchases are non-refundable. All sales are final.
We also have discounted tickets to Adventureland, American Museum of Natural History, and the Long Island Aquarium. For more information, please click here.
Questions? Email askus@emmaclark.org
Borrow the Pass & Visit
We’ve recently acquired a Museum Pass to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The museum just began offering passes to libraries, and we immediately purchased one, as it was a museum that Three Village patrons have expressed interest in.
Three Village residents may borrow a pass for free admission for 2 adults and 2 children (under 18 years old) to the museum, located at 180 Greenwich Street in New York City (the Memorial is free to the public, and the Museum lists adult admission price on their website at $33). Those with a pass not only visit the museum for free, but also receive complimentary audio guides and a 20% discount to the museum store. Library cardholders may click here for more information and to reserve a pass. This is a physical pass that must be picked up and returned to the Library.
The Museum Pass program at Emma Clark Library features over 35 museums, gardens, historic sites, family-friendly attractions, and cultural institutions on Long Island and in New York City.
Those who borrow passes through Emma Clark’s Museum Pass program are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with the hashtag #EmmaTakesMePlaces. Emma Clark Library may be found on Facebook @emmaclarklibrary and Instagram @emmaclarklibrary.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum serves as the country’s principal institution for examining the attacks of September 11, 2001 and documenting their continuing impact and significance.
Questions? Email askus@emmaclark.org
10 Year Milestone for Picture Book Contest at Emma Clark Library
Setauket, NY – April 9, 2024 –
2014 – 2024: This year marks a decade of celebrating the creative writing and artistic talent from junior high and high school students of the Three Village community.
Emma Clark Library is overjoyed to reach this significant milestone. Those in grades 7 – 12, who reside in the Three Village Central School District, created an original picture book for children, in hopes of winning a substantial monetary prize and recognition. Their hard work paid off. Library board members & staff, the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, local elected officials, representatives from the Three Village Central School District, and guests all gathered on Monday, April 8 to honor the winners of the 10th annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award:
First Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): Danny’s Birthday authored and illustrated by Elizabeth Wright (9th grader at Gelinas Junior High School)
First Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): Billy the Unusual Giraffe authored and illustrated by Julia Hou (10th grader at Ward Melville High School)
Second Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): Our Trip to Estonia authored and illustrated by Juni Een (Homeschooled 8th grader)
Second Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): Sleepless Saturday authored by Claire Sloniewsky and illustrated by Justine Bushman (both 11th graders at Ward Melville High School)
Library Director Ted Gutmann, 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 $400 checks to first prize winners Elizabeth Wright (9th grader at Gelinas Junior High School) and Julia Hou (10th grader at Ward Melville High School) and $100 checks for second prize winners Juni Een (Homeschooled 8th grader) and Claire Sloniewsky and Justine Bushman (both 11th graders at Ward Melville High School and prize is split for the collaboration). Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich and a staff member from Assemblyman Ed Flood’s office were in attendance, and they presented certificates to the winners. The winners also received certificates from New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo.
Mr. Gutmann remarked that he thought the illustrations were particularly impressive this year. One of Ms. Stein Shack’s daughters, Karen Shack Reid, reflected on the past ten years and recalled many of the wonderful winning entries throughout the decade. She also emphasized that it’s not just about the creativity, but also about the confidence that this contest builds and how important that confidence was to her mother.
Library Board President Christopher Fletcher and Treasurer David Douglas were there to congratulate the winners. President of the Three Village Central School District Board of Education Susan Megroz Rosenzweig, Superintendent Kevin Scanlon, Gelinas Junior High School Principal Corinne Keane, Ward Melville High School Assistant Principal Stacey Zeidman, Three Village Art Department Chairperson Jennifer Trettner, Gelinas Junior High English Department Chairperson Joanna Cadolino, and the Ward Melville High School Librarian April Hatcher were all in attendance.
Guests enjoyed sweets by The Bite Size Bake Shop, a local Three Village-owned business that has been donating desserts to the ceremony for the past ten years
Eleven years ago, the children of the late Mrs. Shack 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. After meeting with staff and discussing possibilities, the idea for this cherished contest was born. Their gift covers the cost of the awards and passes along Ms. Shack’s joy of reading and lifelong learning to future generations.
The Helen Stein Shack Book Contest calls for teens in grades 7 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 7 through 9 and grades 10 through 12, with one First Prize Winner and one Second Prize Winner selected from each group.
In speaking to the family of the late Ms. Stein Shack, Councilmember Kornreich remarked, “I just want to thank you for this beautiful living gift that you’ve created for this community in honor of your mother. It really is such a beautiful opportunity for these kids to develop and shine and for us all to share. Thank you very, very much for the palpable love that you brought to this endeavor.”
“Here’s to the next ten years,” proclaimed Ms. Shack Reid.
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”
###
The Heart of the Three Village Community
