Category: News Items 2017

Emma Clark Library Announces Winners for the 3rd Annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award

Setauket, NY – March 1, 2017 –

Emma Clark Library has announced the winners for the Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award, a contest which showcases the young writing and artistic talent in the Three Village Community:

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

We Can Still Be Friends! by Eliana Sasson teaches children to embrace and celebrate their differences, and the delightful illustrations even mention the five elementary schools in the Three Village Central School District. Claire and Her Bear by Katie Zhao (who won First Prize in the grades 7 – 9 category last year) is about a young girl whose beloved teddy bear goes missing and the emotions she experiences when this happens.

Winning authors will be recognized at a private awards ceremony at Emma Clark Library on April 27, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. At the reception, each First Prize award recipient will receive a $400 scholarship, each Second Prize award recipient will receive a $100 scholarship, and bound books for all winning entries will be presented and added to the library’s Local Focus Collection. Light refreshments will be served at the reception, and desserts are once again being generously donated by The Bite Size Bake Shop, a local Three Village business. All contest entrants will receive a Certificate of Participation at the awards ceremony.

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. 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 cost of the winning scholarships.

Councilwoman Valerie Cartright spoke to the winners and their families at last year’s ceremony, “I think that allowing kids to express themselves in an artistic manner – positive artistic manner – is important. You are the future leaders…Keep expressing yourself. In a world today where there are so many negative things going on, every time you turn on the television it’s something negative, something that makes you want to cry or be mad, you need to have outlets. Positive outlets. And these [books] are positive outlets, not only for you, but it puts a smile on the faces of those who view it.”

The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, located at 120 Main Street in Setauket and online 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”

Instagram Photo Contest through Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – February 15, 2017 –

Take out those phones and get creative! Emma Clark Library is hosting an Instagram contest. Post your most inspiring, original, creative photo of Emma Clark Library (interior or exterior) on Instagram by May 31, 2017 for a chance to win.
It’s easy. Follow the library’s Instagram account (@emmaclarklibrary), be sure to tag the library using the library’s handle, and include #MyEmmaClarkLibrary in the post with the photo.

The winner will be announced on June 12, 2017 on the library’s Instagram account. The winning entry will then be reposted on all of the library’s social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and obviously Instagram!), and the photo will be printed and displayed in the library’s lobby for the summer.
Become a local celebrity!

Contest Rules:
• Photo must be either of the exterior or interior of the building and recognizable as Emma Clark Library.
• One submission per Instagram account.
• Entrants give permission to share, repost, and print the entries.
• Entries must be solely original photographs. Using photographs from other sources will result in disqualification from the contest.
• Entrants must have permission to use a person’s face or image in their entry.
• Emma Clark employees, trustees, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.
If you have any questions, please email socialmedia@emmaclark.org or call 631.941.4080 ext. 107.

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”

2nd Annual Bookmark Contest for Kids at Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – February 13, 2017 –

Following the success of last year’s bookmark contest, Emma Clark Library is once again calling all children in the Three Village Central School District, Kindergarten through 6th grade, to create an original bookmark for entry into this special competition.

Winners will receive the honor of having their bookmarks printed and distributed at the Library throughout the year, just like last year’s bookmark champions Emma, Laura, and Michael. There were over 60 creative entries in 2016!

“This contest is a great opportunity for the children in our community to demonstrate their artistic talent,” says Marcela Lenihan, Children’s Librarian. “I continue to be amazed by their creativity, and I can’t wait to see this year’s entries!”

To pick up an Official Entry Form and Bookmark Template, kids may stop by the Children’s Reference Desk or download the form at kids.emmaclark.org. The entry deadline is March 31, 2017. Winners will be chosen in three categories (K – 2, 3rd & 4th, and 5th & 6th grades) and announced on May 1, 2017.

Imagine! Your child’s bookmark could be in books throughout Three Village, encouraging the community to continue reading!

If you have any questions, please email kids@emmaclark.org or call 631.941.4080 ext. 123.

“Take Your Child to the Library Day” at Emma Clark Library

Setauket, NY – January 30, 2017 –

What’s one of the best parts of coming to the library? Meeting with friends in the community and sharing in your love of libraries together!

Emma Clark Library has once again joined the international initiative in celebration of “Take Your Child to the Library Day.” On Thursday, February 23, between 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., the library will have face painting, temporary tattoos, balloon sculpting, and crafts, in addition to the all of the daily services and resources that the library has to offer. These benefits include books, audio books, computers, tablets, movies, music, toys and puzzles…all free!

Additionally, in keeping with the festivities of “Take Your Child to the Library Day”, each new library card sign-up on February 23 will be entered in a raffle. You’re never too young for a library card. Patrons may obtain one from birth and immediately start enjoying the library’s resources, such as the “Time for Baby” program.
There is no need to register for “Take Your Child to the Library Day”, and all families are welcome. Last year, there were close to 400 people for the event, and the library also had a record for the number of new library card sign-ups in one day. Stop by the event and help us to surpass that number this year!
If you have any questions, please email kids@emmaclark.org or call 631.941.4080 ext. 123.

Are You Ready for Some Football???

Setauket, NY – January 2, 2017 –

Another year and your team didn’t make the Big Game? Don’t worry – come to the Library and enjoy some of our football festivities!

On Saturday, February 4 between the hours of 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Emma Clark Library will have many activities that revolve around one of America’s most beloved sports – football! Young patrons are invited to show off their aim with a football bean bag toss game and paper flick football (no helmet necessary!). Is your kid not “sporty”? No problem! Artistic children may use their creativity making a football-themed craft. There will even be the chance to enter a raffle to win a special prize. Touchdown!

There is no need to register, and any child may stop by to participate. The library welcomes all ages to this event and also encourages patrons to wear a shirt or jersey with their favorite football team (but this is not required).

Join us and kick off Super Bowl Sunday weekend at the library! If you have any questions, please email kids@emmaclark.org or call 631.941.4080 ext. 123.