The Heart of the Three Village Community
Category: News Items
Seed Library Sprouting Up at Emma Clark Library
Setauket, NY – March 6, 2024 –
Just in time for the first day of spring, a Seed Library and Seed Swap Box are blossoming at Emma Clark Library!
This new, sustainable initiative will debut on March 19 and include a collection of flower, herb, and vegetable seed packets, freely available to Emma Clark cardholders. The Seed Library will contain all organic seeds, many which are also Long Island native plants, and will be located in the Adult Department near the new café. Examples of seeds that will be available (on a first come, first served basis while supplies last) are echinacea, milkweed, sunflowers, basil, catnip, cilantro, oregano, arugula, beets, carrots, cucumbers, edamame, green beans, squash, and tomatoes. The Library asks that patrons take no more than 3 seed packets per week and sign the Seed Library Guest Book (individuals do not check out the packets like other library items), to let the library know what they have taken. Additionally, the Library will be granting community service hours to teen volunteers for helping replenish the Seed Library by sorting, packaging, and labeling seeds at designated library-sponsored programs (see emmaclark.org/programs).
Below the Seed Library, there will also be a Seed Swap Box, designed for the generous public to share seeds with the Three Village community. This section of seeds is donated by patrons (in sealed, labeled packets) and will not be inspected or catalogued by the Library. The public is invited to either share seeds or pick up seeds, or do both. There is no limit to how many seeds an individual may donate or take from the Swap Box.
Making this new collection even more environmentally-friendly is the that fact that the structure is a recycled “old-fashioned” library card catalog, effectively repurposed for the seeds. For those who don’t remember the physical card catalog from years ago, it is a specialized piece of furniture that is no longer used in the Library since the inception of the online catalog.
Spearheading this green enterprise is the Library’s Head of Teen Services, Emily Ostrander, who heard the public requests for a Seed Library and found a way to incorporate it into teen volunteering opportunities as well.
“Three Village is such an environmentally-conscious community that is full of gardening enthusiasts. I’m excited to bring this new resource to our patrons! Not to mention that we are getting teenagers involved in gardening at this transitional time in their lives when they’re looking for lifelong skills and hobbies. It may inspire our next generation of growers,” remarks Ms. Ostrander.
The Seed Library is, quite literarily, a growing collection, and new varieties of seeds may be added from time to time. Similarly, as seed packets are taken, not all may be replaced, as there are a limited number of seeds available. The Library asks that gardeners be mindful of what they take, and remember this is a shared resource for all in our community. The goals of the Seed Library and Seed Swap Box are to provide seeds, build community, and support people who are new to the world of gardening, as well as those who are well-seasoned gardeners.
More information on the Seed Library and Seed Swap Box, as well as additional gardening resources, may be found at emmaclark.org/seedlibrary.
Furthermore, the Library continuously holds both in-person and online gardening classes year-round. A listing of classes may be found in the Library’s newsletter or at emmaclark.org/programs.
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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Library Café, Operated by Level Up Kitchen, Now Open
Setauket, NY – December 11, 2023 –
Emma S. Clark Memorial Library has unveiled its new café, the much-anticipated final phase in a construction project that was announced in 2021, which includes the café, a new outdoor terrace, and better flow for the library’s main reading room. This 2-year project is helping to make the library even more of a community center than it was before – inviting those to come and stay for a while – and meeting the different needs of the library’s various constituents.
More info & menu at emmaclark.org/cafe
The café, now open to the public, is run by Level Up Kitchen, a local business which was selected from a pool of candidates to be the food and beverage vendor, as was publicized by the Library in May of this year.
Owned and operated by Three Village native and chef Chelsea Gomez, Level Up Kitchen Library Café promises fresh coffee and healthy, handcrafted fare that meets a variety of dietary needs. The menu includes nut-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan items, avoiding cross contamination with allergens. Moreover, Ms. Gomez places importance on sustainability, working with local farms and purveyors where possible to stimulate the local economy and provide the freshest, high-quality ingredients. Ms. Gomez possesses extensive knowledge of food safety, and all of her employees are Suffolk County Department of Health-certified food managers.
In addition to the outdoor terrace which opened last summer, a new indoor seating area was added adjacent to the café. Architect John Cunniffe, a local Stony Brook resident who has experience in preserving historical accuracy, ensured that the café and seating area showed architectural sensitivity to the historic section with the same refined feel. Urban Village Contracting, Inc., a 3V-resident-owned local company executed the construction. The library was able to complete the entire construction project without having to close at all for its patrons.
A café is a very popular addition among today’s libraries. It allows for more flexibility and options for the public, both to visit the library more often, as well as to extend their stay. The library is not solely a building full of books, but where individuals or groups may leisurely enjoy the beautiful space. Those who are studying or working may now take a break for a quick snack or meal, without having to leave the library. Before or after a library program, attendees may have something to eat or drink. Those who live or work in the neighborhood may stop in to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. Friends may meet at the library for coffee or a meal and browse books together. The café simply enhances that welcoming feel and accommodates those who would like to stay longer.
This “new” Emma Clark Library is not so much a transformation, as it is a rejuvenation of the Library, staying true to its historic roots and yet accommodating its 21st century constituency. The Library Board of Trustees and Staff are thrilled to offer these improvements to the community here in Three Village.
Level Up Kitchen is owned and operated by Three Village native and chef Chelsea Gomez. Ms. Gomez graduated from Pennsylvania College of Technology with a degree in Culinary Arts in 2006, and prior to founding Level Up Kitchen Ms. Gomez was Executive Chef at the much-loved Pentimento Restaurant in Stony Brook, which closed in 2021. Ms. Gomez is fully invested in the Three Village community, having grown up in Setauket, and she is currently raising her young family here.
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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10th Annual Beloved Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest
Setauket, NY – October 17, 2023 –
This coming year marks the 10th annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest for junior high and high school students, hosted by Emma Clark Library. This contest, which asks participants to create an original picture book for children, is now open to those in grades 7 – 12 who reside in Three Village. The winning teens receive a significant monetary award, are honored at a distinguished ceremony, and have their original books added to the Library’s Local Focus Collection.
Ten years ago, the family of the late Helen Stein Shack came to the Library with an endowment from their mother, who had always loved Emma Clark and often brought her children and grandchildren there, as it was one of her favorite places. The four siblings – Sherry Cleary, Barbara Kelly, Karen Shack Reid, and Edward Taylor – met with Library staff and shared fond memories of their mother’s enthusiasm for the Library. This was the impetus for launching the contest in Mrs. Shack’s memory and using the endowment for prize money each year.
Students in grades 7 – 12 who live in Three Village may enter the contest by creating a children’s picture book. This is a fantastic opportunity for teens to showcase their creativity through words and art and make something for the children in the community. Participants may submit their entry as an individual or collaborate with a friend. Winners are announced in March, and there is a ceremony in April (the birth month of Mrs. Shack) honoring the winners and their talents. In addition to Library Trustees and staff, in the past, teachers and top school district administrators, as well as representatives and elected officials from New York State, Suffolk County, and Brookhaven Town, have all been in attendance at the event.
Last year’s Grand Prize winners were Julia Hou (Grades 7 – 9 category) and Celia Gordon (Grades 10 – 12 category). The public may view previous year’s winning entries at emmaclark.org/picturebookaward.
Contest Details: The contest is 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. Each entry can be the work of a single author/illustrator or can be a joint effort between an author and an illustrator. The picture book entries must be their own original work (both artwork and text).
How to Enter: Those in grades 7 – 12 who reside in Three Village may obtain an Official Entry Form in-person in the Library’s lobby or at emmaclark.org/picturebookaward starting October 17, 2023. Included with the form are the contest procedures & guidelines. They should bring their completed picture book, along with a completed Official Entry Form, to the Children’s Department by the contest deadline, January 31, 2024.
Prizes and Winner Information: Each of the First Prize award recipients will receive $400, and each of the Second Prize award recipients will receive $100 (in the event that a winning entry is a collaboration, the prize will be shared). Winning entries are bound, made into a hardcover book, and added to the Library’s shelves. Additional copies of the winning books will also be available for purchase by family and friends. Winners and their families will be invited to an awards ceremony on Monday, April 8, 2024. All entrants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
The Helen Stein Shack Picture Book 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 ongoing cost of the prizes.
Please note: A maximum of one entry will be accepted per individual. Entries may be a collaboration of no more than one author and one artist/illustrator. Entrants must live within the Three Village Central School District. Emma Clark employees, trustees, and members of their household are not eligible to enter. For a complete listing of the rules, visit emmaclark.org/picturebookaward.
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 Library Partners with Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare
Setauket, NY – September 14, 2023 –
Emma Clark Library and Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare have partnered to offer free social work services to the Three Village community. Emma Clark patrons may visit the Library each week during designated hours to have their questions answered, get help with filling out forms, or seek referrals from a graduate student who is furthering their studies in the field.
Inquiries that the social work graduate student may assist with include, but are not limited to, employment/job search, housing, paying utility bills, applying for benefits, education, medical assistance, mental health issues, bullying, domestic abuse, substance use, LGBTQIA+ topics, care coordination, and voting pre-registration.
Starting this month, graduate student Erin Vespoli will be on-site at the Library on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Ms. Vespoli is a mother of three who is training to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and will be at Emma Clark through the end of the school year (May 2024). There is no pre-registration, and this service is open to all ages. In fact, afternoon/evening hours were chosen to accommodate afterschool hours for teenagers or adults who work during the day. The Wednesday hours coincide with the Library’s “Senior Bus” (transportation for those who can no longer drive so that they may take out library materials and attend events, offered on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month). While Ms. Vespoli will be located in the Library’s lobby to ensure that all patrons are aware of this new service, a private room can be made available as well. Conversations will be kept confidential; this is a safe and welcoming environment.
Libraries are information centers where the community goes to get answers to their questions, and at times help to solve their problems. Some of the challenges patrons are dealing with are at times beyond the scope of what most librarians are trained to handle. Here on Long Island, many libraries including Emma Clark, have recognized the value of adding social work assistance as a resource offering to their patrons.
Ms. Vespoli is at Emma Clark Library to answer questions but is not a therapist; referrals will be given to people looking for clinical therapy. Ms. Vespoli is a mandated reporter for cases of neglect, abuse, or harm.
The Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare provides a learning environment for individuals who wish to deepen and extend their knowledge and experience in bringing about social change. The School provides a place for the development of committed, analytical, and knowledgeable students who wish to undertake the difficult task of improving service delivery systems by attention to institutional structures. The graduate program prepares students for advanced social work practice and is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
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’s Little Free Library Back at the Beach
Setauket, NY – June 23, 2023 –
If you forgot a book for your beach day, it’s not a problem. The Little Free Library, hosted by Emma Clark Library, is back at West Meadow Beach for the summer!
This “Take a Book or Leave a Book” concept is one that exemplifies recycling and community and in addition, encourages lifelong reading. Beachgoers are encouraged to grab a book and/or donate one to this structure located under the pavilion at the beach. The books are all donated by the public. 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.
Emma Clark Library has hosted the Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach in July and August since 2016, to inspire beachgoers to read, share, and reuse. There is no need to live in Three Village to participate, as long as you are a visitor of 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.
Councilman Jonathan Kornreich attended the re-installation and remarked, “I was thrilled to have attended the 8th annual installation of a Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach! As a firm believer of the power of reading and learning, I’m excited to see this resource available to the community again. Thank you Director Ted Gutmann, Jen Mullen, Lisa DeVerna, and Emily Ostrander from the Emma Clark Library for making this all happen.”
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 happy to promote literacy outside the walls of the building and help our neighbors discover new books. Whether it be a hot summer day or a beautiful, breezy sunset, the Little Free Library simply enhances the already beloved West Meadow Beach here in Three Village.
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
