Category: News Items 2017

Unique Program Series, Thanks to Partnership between Emma Clark Library and Humanities New York

Setauket, NY – June 7, 2017 –

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.” – James Baldwin

Emma Clark Library, thanks in part to a grant from Humanities New York, just offered a one-of-a-kind, four-session series based on James Baldwin’s writings. Discussions were on readings from Baldwin’s Early Novels & Stories and Collected Essays (which were supplied by the Library to residents in advance) and were held various Tuesday evenings this past spring.

“This was so interesting and eye opening – what a pleasure to be a part of such a quality program,” said participant Pam Kornhauser.

Each program had a different guest facilitator. The Library was very fortunate to have the following special guests leading the programs: Rashidah Ismaili Abubakr, poet and writer, Professor for Master’s Creative Writing Program at Wilkes University; Abena Asare, Professor of Africana Studies at Stony Brook University; Barbara Coley, retired professor of English at Suffolk Community College; and Susan Scheckel, Professor of English at Stony Brook University.

“In addition to enjoying the writing and subject matter, I loved being in the company of intelligent, passionate people,” praised patron Barbara Baron.

“I like that the facilitators made an effort to hear all voices,” added resident Mark Jackett.

Examining Baldwin’s timeless writings, which are as relevant as ever in this social and political climate, brought conversation around significant issues in our country: democracy, freedom and equality.

“It was exciting to host the four scholars, each bringing their own expertise to the readings,” remarked Carolyn Emerson, Adult Reference Librarian who spearheaded this series. “We’re really bringing the community together in these discussions.”

Humanities New York (formerly New York Council for the Humanities) provides leadership and support across the state’s intellectual and cultural sectors through grants, programs, networking and advocacy in order to encourage critical thinking and cultural understanding in the public arena.
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”

Winners of the 3rd Annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award Honored

Setauket, NY – May 1, 2017 –

On Thursday evening, April 27th, Emma Clark Library, the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, local elected officials, representatives from the Three Village Central School district, and guests from the community gathered to honor the winners of the third annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award:

First Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): We Can Still Be Friends! by Eliana Sasson
First Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): Claire and Her Bear by Katie Zhao
Second Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): Sammy the Sock Monkey by Nicole Freeley
Second Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): Color Your World by Cassidy Oliver

At the ceremony in the Vincent R. O’Leary Community Room, Library Director Ted Gutmann, along with the family of Helen Stein Shack, presented all of the winners’ books – bound and added to the library’s Local Focus Collection – along with $400 scholarships to first prize winners Eliana Sasson and Katie Zhao and $100 check for second prize winners Nicole Freeley and Cassidy Oliver.
Karen Shack Reid, daughter of the late Mrs. Shack, explained how the endowment was started. “My brother had suggested we need to do something in Mommy’s memory…we threw around some suggestions, kind of talked about it, reached out to my nieces and my nephews…got a lot of great ideas. That’s how supportive this family is. My oldest nephew, my sister’s son, is a librarian, and he said, ‘Why don’t we do something at Emma S. Clark Library that Zafta – that’s grandma in Hebrew – loves so much? …that just fit.”

Assemblyman Steve Englebright spoke at the event, and the winners also received certificates from Senator John Flanagan, Legislator Kara Hahn, and Councilwoman Valerie Cartright. Library Board President Linda Josephs, along with Trustees Deborah Blair and Richard Russell, were there to congratulate the winners. And Three Village Central School District President of the Board of Education William Connors, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Kevin Scanlon, Ward Melville High School Librarian April Hatcher, and Gelinas Junior High School Librarian Nicole Connelly were all in attendance.
Guests enjoyed special treats donated by The Bite Size Bake Shop, a local Three Village-owned business. Ward Melville High School teen volunteer Mimi Zahed photographed the event.

The Helen Stein Shack Book Contest called 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 of 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. This award is given in memory of Helen Stein Shack by her family. The library is grateful to the children of the late Mrs. Shack who have established a substantial endowment with the library to cover the cost of the winning scholarships.

Assemblyman Steve Englebright remarked to the winners, “It was an extraordinary level of creativity that you brought to this, and you will continue to show that as you develop your own adult lives and careers, which is part of the genius of this family’s gift: to make an investment into young people like this.”

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”

5 Years of Adopted Pets at Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – April 24, 2017 –

For the 5th year in a row now, Emma Clark Library will be hosting a Pet Adoption Fair, featuring various animal rescue organizations and animal advocacy associations. The event will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the library lawn. The following organizations will be participating:
• Canine Companions for Independence
• Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue
• Happy Tails Dog Rescue, Inc.
• Last Chance Animal Rescue
• My Shadow Rescue along with Kids Adopt a Shelter
• PRAAT – Patchogue Rotary Animal Assisted Therapy (informational purposes only)
• Post Consumer Pet Rescue
• Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, Inc.
• Sweetest Dog Rescue, Inc.

There is no need to register and all (not just local residents) are welcome to attend. The library will also be collecting donations of pet food at the event.
Last year, 10 animals were adopted, and 1animal was fostered. Come pick out your next “fur baby” at the library!
Please note that no outside pets are permitted. If you have any questions, please email askus@emmaclark.org or call 631.941.4080.

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”

Community Recycling of Old Electronics

Setauket, NY – April 5, 2017 –

Do you have old electronics and metals laying around your house or business, collecting dust and taking up space? Are you unsure about how to dispose of your old cell phone and computer? Arrow Scrap Metal and Encore Electronic Recycling, a New York State registered electronic waste recycling facility, will be in Emma Clark Library’s parking lot on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bring your used computers, cell phones, laptops, servers, wire & cable, metals, circuit boards, printers, hard drives & storage devices, power tools, small appliances, small electronics, keyboards, mice, stereos, flat screen computer monitors and more.
There is no need to register, and all are welcome (residents and nonresidents).
Please note that the following items will not be accepted: old CRT tube televisions and monitors and flat screen televisions.

If you have any questions, feel free to call the library at 631.941.4080 or email askus@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.
“The Heart of the Three Village Community”

4th Annual Community Shred Day at Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – March 1, 2017 –

Are you ready to start “Spring Cleaning”? Emma Clark Library is here to help you get rid of that unnecessary paperwork in a safe and environmentally-friendly way!

On Saturday, March 25, the Library will host a Community Shred Day from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. A shredding truck from A Shred Away Inc. will be in the library’s parking lot for on-site shredding of personal documents. All paper will be 100% recycled at a certified paper mill.

This service is open to the public. There is no need to register or to be a Three Village resident to participate. In the past 3 years, close to 20,000 pounds of documents have been shredded and recycled as a result of the library’s Community Shred Day!

Please note that they do not accept plastic, carbon paper, hanging files, red well folders, cardboard, newspaper or magazines. Clips and staples are fine to put through the shredder. No wet papers, and please take any boxes, bags, etc. back home with you in order to keep our library parking lot clean. They will take up to six boxes per family.

If you have any questions, please email askus@emmaclark.org or call 631.941.4080.