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Category: FP Mosaic OLD

Temporary Closing FAQS – May 2025

Update on June 9, 2025: The Library is now fully reopen!

Update on June 6, 2025: Our Children’s Library and Main Lobby are reopening on Monday, June 9th!

We would like to sincerely thank you for your patience over the past few weeks as we dealt with this urgent mold issue. We understand it was especially inconvenient for parents and caregivers who missed our Children’s Library.

Please be assured that all affected areas have been treated thoroughly and are now fully remediated; all ductwork and HVAC components have been cleaned or replaced as necessary.

We truly appreciate your support and look forward to wonderful memories made this summer with our Three Village Community!

Q1: Why did the Library close on May 1, 2025?
A: The Library closed due to an emergency HVAC inspection and maintenance following staff reports of a musty odor. Testing confirmed the presence of Cladosporium mold in a contained area, prompting immediate remediation attention.

Q2: What is Cladosporium? Is it dangerous?
A: Cladosporium is a common household mold, which can trigger allergic reactions or respiratory irritation in some individuals. The Library is taking proactive steps to ensure remediation for everyone’s safety.

Q3: What steps are being taken to remediate the issue?
A: The Library is aggressively addressing the condition by removing mold, replacing affected ductwork and HVAC components, and conducting professional air quality testing.

Q4: When will the Library reopen?
A: The Library’s building is now partially reopen (Adult section and Lower Level).

While work continues in the Main Lobby and Children’s Library, those two areas will remain closed to the public and will reopen at a later date.

Visitors will now enter the library through a short-term, temporary entrance via the outdoor terrace. Further updates will be posted on the Library’s website and social media channels.

The Library has several different HVAC systems, each of which serves different areas of the Library.  The mold problem is contained only to areas served by one of the large rooftop units – those areas include the Lobby and the Children’s area, which is why those two sections remain closed to the public.

As of now, the timeline for full opening looks like this:
Remediation will continue in the affected areas the week of May 19.  After that, the areas will be re-tested, and subsequent to favorable results, construction & follow up HVAC work will begin the following week (week after Memorial Day–NOTE: the Library is closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day).  We are hoping the affected areas can reopen sometime in the first week of June or soon thereafter.

Q5: Are late fees being charged during the closure?
A: No. Items such as the Library of Things or physical Museum Passes will not accrue any fines during the closure. Most standard Library materials (such as books) do not accrue late fees.

Q6: What happens to my item holds?
A: All holds will be automatically extended for one full week from the date the Library reopens.

Q7: Can I still attend Library programs and classes?
A: Online zoom classes, and some outdoor and offsite programming will continue as scheduled. Please check the website for updates on individual programs. There will be no on site programs or classes until the library reopens.

Q8: What if I need help with eBooks or digital services?
A: Library staff are available to assist you in accessing online resources. Please call us at 631.941.4080 x. 127 or email askus@emmaclark.org for assistance.

Q9: Is the mold affecting Library materials like books or DVDs?
A: The area is being treated thoroughly, and any impacted materials will be handled appropriately.

Q10: Can I return books or items while the library is closed?
A: Yes. The book drop is available and deemed safe for use. Please refrain from returning physical items that do not fit in the book drop, such as Library of Things items.

Q11: How will I know when the Library reopens?
A: Reopening updates will be posted on the Library’s website and social media channels.

Q12: Why is the closure necessary if the mold is contained?
A: The Library is acting out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of patrons and staff. Complete remediation and clear air quality tests will be required before a reopening will be permitted.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding; we will advise as to a reopening date when it is determined.

– The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library Board of Trustees

Fulling Reopened on June 9

Photo of front of library with text "Update on the Library's temporary closing"

Update on June 9, 2025: The Library is now fully reopen!

Update on June 6, 2025: Our Children’s Library and Main Lobby are reopening on Monday, June 9th!

We would like to sincerely thank you for your patience over the past few weeks as we dealt with this urgent mold issue. We understand it was especially inconvenient for parents and caregivers who missed our Children’s Library.

Please be assured that all affected areas have been treated thoroughly and are now fully remediated; all ductwork and HVAC components have been cleaned or replaced as necessary.

We truly appreciate your support and look forward to wonderful memories made this summer with our Three Village Community!

May 19, 2025: The Library’s building is now partially reopen (Adult section and Lower Level).

While work continues in the Main Lobby and Children’s Library, those two areas will remain closed to the public and will reopen at a later date.

Visitors will now enter the library through a short-term, temporary entrance via the outdoor terrace.

The Circulation Department – where you may pick up your holds; check out books, Library of Things, and other items; purchase Discount Tickets; etc. – will be temporarily moved to the historic section of the Library (Periodicals Room). All of these services, along with Adult and Teen/Tween programming, will resume as normal. While the Children’s Library remains closed, please check for updates on Children’s programming.

The Library has several different HVAC systems, each of which serves different areas of the Library.  The mold problem is contained only to areas served by one of the large rooftop units – those areas include the Lobby and the Children’s area, which is why those two sections remain closed to the public.

As of now, the timeline for full opening looks like this:
Remediation will continue in the affected areas the week of May 19.  After that, the areas will be re-tested, and subsequent to favorable results, construction & follow up HVAC work will begin the following week (week after Memorial Day–NOTE: the Library is closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day).  We are hoping the affected areas can reopen sometime in the first week of June or soon thereafter.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Please click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

—-——————————————————————————————————

As you may know, the Library effected a closing on May 1, 2025 for emergency HVAC inspection/maintenance after a musty odor was reported by staff. Library personnel acted swiftly in conducting testing which revealed the presence of a common household mold (Cladosporium) in a contained area of the Library.  We are now aggressively remediating the condition and replacing ductwork and HVAC components as necessary.

 

Please check back at this site for updates.

Please note:

  • Online zoom classes will resume as scheduled.
  • Although most Library items (such as books) do not accrue late fees, if you possess items that are due (Library of Things, physical Museum Passes), those will not accrue any fines.
  • All holds will be extended one full week from the reopening date.
  • If you need assistance with our online services, please call us at 631-941-4080 x. 127 or email askus@emmaclark.org

 

New Writing Projects for Teens & Tweens

Photo of Ruth Minsky Sender from the Yiddish Book Center, 2015 and cover of her first memoir, The Cage. Text says "Resistance, Hope, & Remembrance: Ruth Minsky Sender

LILRC Traveling Exhibit

Painting: Ellis Island Building. New York (ca. 1915). Courtesy of the Freeport Historical Society & Museum. Text says "Immigration in New York State, 1650 - 1950."

Immigration in New York State: 1650 – 1950

A Long Island Library Resources Council Traveling Exhibit
at Emma Clark Library from June 2 – 30, 2025

This exhibit focuses on historic immigration to New York State from 1650 – 1950. Our story begins with the arrival of Dutch settlers and continues through the end of the World Wars.

Stop by Emma Clark Library anytime between June 2 – 30 to view the exhibit and learn more about this important piece of history.

Explore the entire exhibit, by New York Heritage Digital Collections (a project of the Empire State Library Network)  at nyheritage.org/immigration

Image: Ellis Island Building. New York (ca. 1915). Courtesy of the Freeport Historical Society & Museum.

SRC Ends on 8/17

Illustration of teen faces on top of books with creativity images coming out of their heads (paint brushes, etc.). Text says "Teens & Tweens Summer Reading Challenge (Grades 6 - 12)"

Teens & Tweens, share your love of reading and win awesome PRIZES!  (For those entering Grades 6 – 12 in September)

It’s easy to join. Here are step-by-step instructions:

  1.  Click here to register starting June 1, 2025. Registration is ongoing, so no worries if you don’t get a chance to register immediately. The program ends on August 17.
  2.  Read any book you’d like – printed books, eBooks, and even audiobooks!
  3. Log each book in Beanstack, and write a quick “30-Character or More Review” of what you’ve read.
  4. For each book review, get an eTicket and enter a raffle for one of our fabulous gift baskets! Raffle tickets can be entered into the system for any of the prizes that you choose.
  5. After the end of the Summer Reading Challenge (August 17), we will contact the raffle winners!

NOTE:  If you already have an Individual Account with Beanstack from last year (your own account, not your family’s Kids Summer Reading account), all you need to do is log into your individual account and update your info to register!  If you were in the Kids Summer Reading Challenge last year, you must create a new, individual account (separate from your family’s account) to participate in the Teens & Tweens Summer Reading Challenge.

Register by June 30 and enter to win one of our special early registration raffles:

  • Gift certificate for a 2-hour rental of 2 kayaks through Paumanok Tours, plus book Paddling Long Island and New York City
  • 4 free tickets to the American Museum of Natural History
  • 4 free tickets to The Rinx (Hauppauge or Port Jeff)
  • 3 free ticket vouchers to The Adventure Park of Long Island

And of course we have our regular raffle baskets! Click here for Frequently Asked Questions AND a listing of the raffle prizes!

How old do I have to be to join the Teens & Tweens Summer Reading Challenge?

The Teens & Tweens Summer Reading Challenge accepts participants based on their grade, not age.  The Challenge is for anyone entering Grades 6 – 12; so long as you will be in Grade 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 in the fall of 2025, you are welcome to join the Challenge!  Teenagers who have graduated 12th grade cannot join the Teens & Tweens Summer Reading Challenge, but are welcome to sign up for the Adult Summer Reading Challenge!

Emma Clark Library would like to thank the following businesses that support the Library and our community by donating gift cards and merchandise for our Kids, Teens & Tweens, & Adult Summer Reading raffle prizes:

  • Adventureland Amusement Park
  • The Adventure Park of Long Island
  • Applebee’s
  • The Argyle Theatre
  • The Bench
  • Ben’s Garden
  • The Bite Size Bake Shop
  • The Cheesecake Factory
  • College 101 Resource Center
  • Crazy Beans
  • Faith Czarnecki at Travelista Travels
  • Druthers Coffee
  • DJ’s Clam Shack
  • The Jazz Loft
  • Kumon Learning Center of Stony Brook
  • Level Up Kitchen Library Cafe
  • Long Island Ducks
  • Long Island Explorium
  • The Long Island Museum
  • The Long Island Violin Shop
  • Luigi’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
  • New York Giants
  • New York Jets
  • O Sole Mio Ristorante Pizzeria
  • Panera Bread
  • Paumanok Tours
  • Port Jefferson Photography Club
  • The Rinx
  • Rolling Pin Bakery
  • Schnitzels Gastropub
  • Setauket Gourmet Delicatessen & Caterers
  • Shake Shack
  • S.N. and Kamal Sridhar
  • Splish Splash
  • Staller Center for the Arts
  • Stony Brook Wings
  • Three Village Historical Society
  • Urban Air
  • Via Pizza
  • Xplore Family Fun Center

Emma Clark employees, trustees, and members of their household are not eligible to enter contests/raffles.

Any other questions? Email teens@emmaclark.org