The Heart of the Three Village Community
Category: News Items
Emma Clark Library Announces Winners of the 12th Annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest
Setauket, NY – March 19, 2026 –
Emma Clark Library is pleased to announce the winners for the 12th annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest:
First Prize (Grades 6 – 8 category): Bunny and the Bluejay by Vivienne Rochlin-Hizver (7th grader at P.J. Gelinas Middle School)
First Prize (Grades 9 – 12 category): The Penguins Go to the City by Elizabeth Wright (11th grader at Ward Melville High School)
Second Prize (Grades 6 – 8 category): Ricky and the Beach by Maddex Buonaspina (7th grader at R. C. Murphy Middle School)
Second Prize (Grades 9 – 12 category): Seven Meals Around the World by Genevieve Rochlin (11th grader at The Stony Brook School)
Each of the winning entries has their own unique artwork and storylines geared towards young children. In Bunny and the Bluejay by Vivienne Rochlin-Hizver, Bunny learns how each creature is unique with their own special strengths. With delicate pen and watercolor illustrations, The Penguins Go to the City by Elizabeth Wright invites the reader to follow a group of penguins on an adventure! In Ricky and the Beach by Maddex Buonaspina, the main character is hesitant to go to the beach. Will he enjoy himself or will his fears get the best of him? Children travel around the world with Cooper the Goose in Seven Meals Around the World by Genevieve Rochlin, as they discover different culinary explorations.
The Helen Stein Shack Book Contest called for teens and tweens in grades 6 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 6 through 8 and grades 9 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 prizes.
Contest winners will be celebrated at a private awards ceremony on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Each First Prize award recipient will receive a $400 scholarship, and each Second Prize award recipient will receive a $100 scholarship. The newly bound books – made into hardcover by the Library – will have the honor of being added to the Library’s Local Focus Collection, and winners will also receive copies of their books to cherish in their own home libraries. Desserts will be served at the reception, generously donated by The Bite Size Bake Shop. Past ceremonies have had Library Board members, teachers and top school district administrators from Three Village and The Stony Brook School, as well as elected officials from New York State, Suffolk County, and the Town of Brookhaven, all in attendance to honor the winners.
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”
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Emma S. Clark Announces New Library Director
Setauket, NY – December 4, 2025 –
The Board of Trustees at Emma S. Clark Memorial Library is pleased to announce the appointment of Theresa Liguori as the new Library Director, starting January 20, 2026. Ms. Liguori comes to Emma Clark with over 20 years of authentic, creative, and strategic experience in library administration.
Most recently, Ms. Liguori is serving as Chief Public Services Officer for the Denver Public Library, overseeing public service delivery across 27 locations, including mobile services, collection services, and special collections and archives, in addition to system-wide programming and services.
Ms. Liguori is also an adjunct faculty member within the Master of Library and Information Science Online Program for the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver, teaching theoretical and conceptual foundations of management within library and information organizations. Some notable recent projects that she has been a part of include the 2025 Vibrant Denver Bond, which will provide over $41 million to repair and improve vital infrastructure and community spaces, and the Anderson Academic Commons, which was a $37 million renovation project for the University of Denver’s library system. Ms. Liguori holds a B.A. in Communications (with a minor in Gender & Women’s Studies) and Master of Library Science & Information Science from the University of Denver.
“After an exhaustive nationwide search, we are excited to have found Theresa,” remarked Library Board President Anthony Parlatore. “The Board and staff look forward to teaming with her in continuing to keep our library as the jewel of our community – an innovative, provocative, and fun place to learn, explore and experience all the resources modern libraries have to offer.”
In her free time, Ms. Liguori enjoys spending time with family, cooking, reading, going to movies and shows, and getting cuddles from the family’s Great Pyrenees, Casper.
Ms. Liguori stated, “I am extremely excited for this opportunity. This library is a cornerstone of knowledge, and it has built a strong foundation rooted in excellent service and civic engagement. I look forward to working collaboratively with the staff, trustees, and the community, to broaden the library’s vital role as a dynamic and inclusive center of belonging and connection.”
As Library Director, Ms. Liguori will bring her vision and leadership to the Three Village community, and all at the Library are eager to work with her and her wide-ranging expertise in service of the Library’s mission.
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”
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Emma Clark Offers Pass for Free Admission to Historical Society
Setauket, NY – October 14, 2025 –
Emma Clark Library is the very first library to purchase the new Museum Pass for Libraries through The Three Village Historical Society.
The Three Village Historical Society is located right in Setauket, just down the road from Emma Clark. This organization teaches the vibrant history of our local area from the indigenous peoples who first called this region home to General Washington’s undercover Culper Spy Ring and the academic wonders of Stony Brook University.
Three Village residents may borrow a pass from the Library for free admission for 4 adults and 4 children (under 18 years old). The pass includes a 20% discount on items in the historical society’s gift shop. This pass is “Print & Go”, which means patrons may print it from any computer (there is no need to pick up a physical pass from the library). To reserve a pass, Library cardholders may visit emmaclark.org/museum-passes.
Visitors who would like to book docent-led tours may email a copy of pass to visit@tvhs.org with their preferred date and time.
This pass marks the 40th in Emma Clark’s very popular Museum Pass collection, and the Library is thrilled that it is their neighboring institution.
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 Three Village Historical Society is dedicated to fostering local history education within our community. Through the collection and preservation of artifacts, documents, and other materials, we bring the rich stories of the Three Village area to life. Our mission is to explore the history of the people who have shaped this region from its earliest habitation to the present, ensuring that their stories are not just remembered but celebrated.
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”
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10 Years of Books at the Beach, Thanks to Emma Clark Library
Setauket, NY – May 12, 2025 –
2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of the seasonal Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach, hosted by Emma Clark Library. This “Take a Book, Leave a Book” structure, located under the pavilion at the beach and made from recycled materials, is now open for the late spring and summer, through the first week of autumn.
As before, there’s no need for a library card; visitors are invited to take any books that interest them. These books are donated for the sole purpose of the Little Free Library (books are not owned by Emma Clark – don’t return your library books here!). There is no need to live in Three Village to share in this give and take project; all guests of the beach are welcome to donate and/or take books.
The Library would like to thank the Town of Brookhaven and Nicole Pocciare, Environmental Educator, for their constant support and consent to host the Little Free Library at the beach. Additionally, the Library appreciates the teen and tween volunteers who “adopt” the library each week to ensure that it is neat, undamaged, and well-stocked.
Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich attended the installation and remarked, “Today, I celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Little Free Library installation at West Meadow Beach. This special milestone is a reminder of how small acts—like sharing a book—can make a lasting impact. As someone who strongly believes in the power of reading and lifelong learning, it’s wonderful to see this beloved resource continue to serve our community.”
Since 2016, Emma Clark has been enhancing a day at the beach with this delightful exchange of books. The Library is grateful for the amazing community partners and the ability to share, read, and reuse books and encourage a love of reading out into the community.
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”
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Emma Clark Officially a Family Place Library
Setauket, NY – April 30, 2025 –
Emma Clark has been formally approved as part of The Family Place Libraries™ national network, which emphasizes play-based learning as an essential tool to early childhood development, particularly for those families with young children ages one to three years old.
The Children’s Department at Emma Clark began the process to become certified as a Family Place Library in late 2024, which included extended training for librarians beyond their library schooling. These workshops were taught by child development experts and Family Place Trainers and served as a good refresher regarding building pre-reading skills and helped to spark new ideas for learning through play. The training also focused on supporting parents and caregivers by connecting them with resources and professionals, as well as providing engaging programming opportunities.
“I am excited to be a part of the Family Place initiative which provides a framework for expanding my role as a librarian in connecting with young children, parents and caregivers and facilitating the support they need,” says Marcela Lenihan, one of the children’s librarians who attended the training.
Literacy begins at birth. At birth, only 25% of a newborn’s brain is developed, but by five years old, the brain is 90% wired. Young children learn about themselves and the world around them though play, and this “important work” is what prepares them for their future of intellectual development (reading, math, and science), as well as their social and emotional development.
Although Emma Clark already had many of the initiatives in place such as board and picture books, puzzles, a train table, and a coloring spot, in the past year they added more imaginative toys to the Children’s Library, such as dramatic play items (kitchen, market, dress-up clothes, etc.). Looking ahead, Brian Debus, the Head Children’s Librarian, is hoping to add more toys geared towards infants, as well as more comfortable seating for parents, grandparents, and caregivers.
“By joining this initiative, we’re investing in early learning, parent engagement, and community connection, ensuring every child and family gets the best possible start in life,” remarked Mr. Debus.
Furthermore, the children’s librarians are working to fine-tune the already well-established Parent/Toddler Workshop by including community resource professionals at the program on a regular basis. This weekly workshop for children ages 18 months – 3.5 years old and their caregivers has always focused on open play, sharing, and connections with other parents and caregivers. It will now include specialists – such as pediatric nutritionists, speech pathologists, social workers, and child development experts – so that parents and caregivers may speak one-on-one with professionals and ask questions in a comfortable, informal setting. This program not only aids in the child’s development, but it helps parents and caregivers to feel less isolated and gives them an increased sense of community belonging. The librarians also plan on offering more handouts from reputable organizations on parenting and childhood development, making the information easily accessible to patrons.
The Family Place Libraries™ model is now in over 500 libraries in 32 states serving thousands of young children and their parents/caregivers. Emma S. Clark Memorial Library is proud to officially be among this nationwide network.
The mission of Family Place Libraries™ is to increase the capacity of libraries throughout the nation to recognize and realize their full potential as community hubs for healthy child and family development, parent and community involvement and lifelong learning beginning at birth.
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”
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The Heart of the Three Village Community
