Adults

Haunted Long Island Mysteries 
Thursday, October 9, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Award-winning author and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky, along with medium/paranormal investigator Joe Giaquinto, will delight you with tales of their ghostly adventures, which interweave local history and the spiritual realm. They discuss the research and investigations behind the making of Kerriann’s book, Haunted Long Island Mysteries. During their lecture, you will see a presentation of the places they have visited and listen to EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomenon,  along with fascinating Ghost Box recordings from their field investigations. A book signing will follow. Open to all Suffolk County residents. Click here to register now.

The Haunted Theatres of Broadway
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Each night after the applause dies, the curtain falls, the audience vanishes, the cleaners dust, and the lights are killed, great theatres become dark and silent places. But not always quite empty. That’s when the theatre ghosts make their entrance and strut and fret their hour upon the shadowed boards, illuminated only by the ghost light, the solitary lamp that is required to burn through the night on every Broadway stage. Many of Broadway’s busiest theatres continue to be just as busily haunted by spirits, some with well-known names and histories. Come and hear the haunting ghost stories of Broadway with author and longtime Playbill editor Robert Viagas. Open to all Suffolk County residents. Click here to register now.

Classics in Our Historic Library: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Monday, October 27, 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Looking to revisit the great works of literature? Are old books your cup of tea? Join us for an intimate book discussion in the historic 1892 section of the library. Librarian Emma Yohannan will facilitate a discussion of Dracula by Bram Stoker. Read your own copy of the book or ask a librarian to assist you in borrowing a copy ahead of the program. Click here to register now.

Halloween Bingo! 
Friday, October 31, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Show off your Halloween costume, eat some candy, and join us for a relaxing afternoon of bingo and conversation with friends and neighbors. Click here to register now.

Teens/Tweens AND Adults

After Hours: Paranormal Investigations at the Library
Saturday, September 20, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. OR 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to experience a professional paranormal investigation? Join us as we attempt to find (or debunk) local ghosts at Emma Clark Library! After the Library closes, registered attendees will meet Library Staff at the main entrance and be escorted into the Library for the investigation. Members of the Long Island Paranormal Investigators organization will explain the science behind their investigative tools, while Library Staff discuss the history of the Library and local area, as well as unexplained occurrences that have led some to wonder if the Library is haunted. Participants will split up into groups, led by Paranormal Investigators, to see what (or who) is at the root of some of the Library’s spooky stories.
This will be a locked-in event. The Library will be closed to all but the participants of this event. Minor-aged Teen and Tween attendees must have a permission form on file. Once in the library building, participants may not leave the building until the end of the event.
Click here to register for the 7:00 p.m. program now.
Click here to register for the 9:30 p.m. program now.

Paranormal Investigations at the Library: The Debrief
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. 
In September, the Library held spooky and educational after-hours paranormal investigation events for patrons, with the guidance of members of the Long Island Paranormal Investigators organization. Now, the Investigators will go over the evidence found and discuss its scientific implications. Decide for yourself whether the evidence is explainable or a mystery! The Investigators will also discuss other local investigations they have conducted and show off some of their most creepy evidence. You’ll have to be there to see it! Click here to register now.

Teens/Tweens (Grades 6 – 12)

Candy Land Training & Decorations Night (Grades 6 – 12)
Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Plus more nights!  Teen/tween volunteers make a sweet magical land come alive for the children in our community. Create decorations and volunteer at this adored event! Click here for more info and to register.

Book & Movie Club: Dracula
Sunday, October 5, 2025, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Please note this is a date change from the printed newsletter.
You’ve heard it said many times before, “The book was better than the movie!” But was it really? Check out and read Dracula by Bram Stoker, then come to our Book and Movie Club to watch the 1931 movie version (unrated, predates the MPAA rating system). Led by Library Assistant Kiera. Discuss your opinion, get the chance to win a themed raffle, meet new friends, and eat snacks! Click here to register now.

Escape the Library: The Quiet Zone
Sunday, October 12, 2025, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:00 – 1:45 p.m., 2:15 – 3:00 p.m., OR 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.    
You’ve fallen into another dimension, a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into… the Quiet Zone. To escape this Zone, you must set the space to rights, using all your senses to decipher the clues and unlock the door back to reality. Please only sign up for one session of this Escape Game.
Click here to register for 10:30 a.m.
Click here to register for 11:45 a.m.
Click here to register for 1:00 p.m.
Click here to register for 2:15 p.m.
Click here to register for 3:30 p.m.

Spooky Trivia and Pizza
Friday, October 17, 2025, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Are you terrifyingly good at trivia? Test your spooky skills! Work as a team with your tablemates to win fabulous prizes! Plus, we’ll have pizza and snacks for all! Led by Library Assistant Kiera. Click here to register now.

DIY Zombie Make-Up
Friday, October 24, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Create personalized Zombie makeup just in time for Halloween! Use professional-grade supplies to create your gruesome look, which can be applied and removed over and over. Taught by artist and art educator Chris Vivas. Click here to register now.

Book & Movie Club: Hallowe’en Party
Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
You’ve heard it said many times before, “The book was better than the movie!” But was it really? Check out and read Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie, then come to our Book and Movie Club to watch the 2023 movie version, A Haunting in Venice (rated PG-13). Led by Library Assistant Kiera. Discuss your opinion, get the chance to win a themed raffle, meet new friends, and eat snacks! Click here to register now.

Kids (PreK – Grade 5)

Candy Land Decorating Community Service Project (Grades 3 – 5)
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Make creative candy-themed decorations for our annual Candy Land event in the Children’s Library! Participants will earn one hour of community service credit. Click here to register now.

Life-Sized Candy Land (Ages 3 – 7 years w/ caregiver)
Friday, October 3, 2025, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Children will travel through the game’s colorful winding trail, while meeting characters (played by teen/tween volunteers) and getting treats. Halloween costumes are encouraged but not required. Games will begin at 10-minute intervals from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Register for your start time either in-person or by calling 631.941.4080 x. 123 starting 9/19.

Desserts with Chef Rob: Graveyard Cupcakes (Grades K – 5)
Monday, October 6, 2025, 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. OR 7:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Decorate a scary cupcake to take home.
Click here to register for 7:00 p.m.
Click here to register for 7:30 p.m.

Fright Factory (Grades K – 5)
Thursday, October 9, 2025, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m.
Create a paper haunted house full of spooky silhouettes. Click here to register now.

Moonlit Whiskers (Grades 2 – 5)
Monday, October 13, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. School closed.
Draw and paint a black cat scene with Art Teacher Amy. Click here to register now.

Circuit Monsters (Grades 3 – 5)
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. 
Create a light-up monster w/ pipe cleaners, batteries, and LEDs. Click here to register now.

Spooky Bus (Best suited for Grades K – 5)
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Update: This is a rescheduled date!
Stop by anytime between 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. for a quick stroll through the Suffolk County Libraries’ bus, all decked out in Halloween fun! No registration required.

Family Night: Monster Mash (For families with children up to Grade 5)
Friday, October 24, 2025, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 
Enjoy family fun with a variety of monster crafts, games, and some monstrously delicious pizza! Click here to register now.

No Oven Needed: Vampire Smiles (Grades K – 5)
Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. 
Turn apple slices, melted chocolate, & marshmallows into vampire smiles snacks. Click here to register now.

Halloween Parade (Ages 18 months – 5 years w/ caregiver)
Friday, October 31, 2025, 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. OR  11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Join us for a Halloween program and parade in the Library!
Click here to register for 10:00 a.m.
Click here to register for 11:00 a.m.

Questions about Adult programs? askus@emmaclark.org

Questions about Teen/Tween programs? teens@emmaclark.org

Questions about Kids programs? kids@emmaclark.org

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

We have a program for tweens and teens to get acquainted with the department, learn about the library, and receive community service credit for attending! This includes exploring Teen & Tween spaces in the library, programming (community service and “just for fun”), reading challenges, volunteering, and more. We’ll also be asking the Teens & Tweens what they’d like to see us offer.

This class is designed for incoming 6th and 7th Graders, but all who are going into Grades 6 – 12 in the fall are welcome.

There are 3 options:
Sunday, June 1, 2025, 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Click here to register.
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Click here to register.
Monday, June 30, 2025, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Click here to register.

Questions? Email teens@emmaclark.org

Talking About Tragedy and Coping with Grief for Parents
Presented by the Response Crisis Center of LI
Tuesday, February 25, 2025. 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Learn age-appropriate ways to talk about personal, communal, and global tragedy with children and teens, while also holding space for your own emotions.

This workshop will include:

• Cross-cultural bereavement practices
• Common cliches
• Damaging terminology
• Societal impact of tragedy on a community

Includes a Q&A. Plus, the Library’s SBU Social Work Intern Stephanie Szabo will assist and speak with attendees during and after the program.

Click here to register

For Teens (Grades 7 – 12)

Contending with Grief
Presented by the Response Crisis Center of LI
Saturday, March 1, 2025. 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Learn how to cope with personal, communal, and global tragedies, including:

• Ways grief manifests and how it can change over time under different circumstances
• How to hold space for yourself as you grieve
• How to interact with peers who are mourning
• How community-wide tragedies can impact people in all different ways.

Includes a Q&A. Plus, the Library’s SBU Social Work Intern Stephanie Szabo will be available to assist and speak with attendees during and after the program.

Click here to register. Open to Grades 7 – 12. Teens will earn community service credit for attending.

***If you would like to speak with the Library’s SBU Social Work Intern on another day, please click here for more information.

It’s been a decade of delightful talent and creativity! Emma Clark Library and the family of the late Helen Stein Shack have been showcasing junior high and high school students in our Three Village community since 2015 through an annual contest. The Library has recently revealed the winners of the 10^th annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest:

First Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): Danny’s Birthday by Elizabeth Wright (9^th grader at Gelinas Junior High School)

First Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): Billy the Unusual Giraffe by Julia Hou (10^th grader at Ward Melville High School)

Second Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): Our Trip to Estonia by Juni Een (Homeschooled 8^th grader)

Second Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): Sleepless Saturday by Claire Sloniewsky and Justine Bushman (both 11^th graders at Ward Melville High School)

Each of the winning entries has their own unique artwork and storylines geared towards young children. Danny’s Birthday by Elizabeth Wright is a charming story with bright watercolor and pen drawings of a dog named Danny and all of his friends. Billy the Unusual Giraffe by Julia Hou uses a positive reframing technique, told in a simple manner for children. A giraffe discouraged by his short neck soon realizes all the things he can do with it, rather than its limitations. Our Trip to Estonia by Juni Een teaches children about another country & culture through watercolor and pen illustrations and easy text for children. A collaborative book, Sleepless Saturday by Claire Sloniewsky and Justine Bushman, has delicate drawings and tells the tale of two cats looking for the sun, which has gone missing! Will they find it?

Contest winners will be celebrated at a private awards ceremony on Monday, April 8, 2024, 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. For those that are a collaborative effort, the prize money will be split between the author and the illustrator.  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. Light refreshments will be served at the reception, generously donated by The Bite Size Bake Shop and Level Up Kitchen Library Café. Past ceremonies have had Library Board members, teachers and top school district administrators from Three Village, as well as elected officials from New York State, Suffolk County, and the Town of Brookhaven, all in attendance to honor the winners.

Emma Clark Library is thrilled to celebrate this beloved milestone for the community.

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 prizes. 

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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Nine years and counting…Emma Clark Library hosts the Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest for junior high and high school students, and the annual competition begins this month. Three Village students in grades 7 – 12 are asked to create a picture book for children. The winning teens receive a substantial monetary prize, are recognized at a special ceremony, and have the honor of their original books added to the Library’s Local Focus Collection.

Students in grades 7 – 12 who live in Three Village are invited to showcase their creative artistic and writing talents, whether it be individually or collaboratively with a friend, in creating a children’s picture book by the contest deadline in January. Once the artwork and text are judged, winners are announced in March, and there is a ceremony in the spring honoring the winners and their original books. 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 Matthew Blumenthal (Grades 7 – 9 category) and Amelia Grant and Anna Grant (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 may obtain an Official Entry Form in-person in the Library’s lobby or online at emmaclark.org/picturebookaward starting October 18, 2022. 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, 2023.

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 24, 2023. 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 board members & staff, 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 on Tuesday evening, April 12^th to honor the winners of the eighth annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award:

First Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): Pete the Penguin Goes to the Library by Matthew Blumenthal (9th grader at Murphy Junior High School)

First Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): The Raccoon Jug-Band written by Amelia Grant and illustrated by Anna Grant (Homeschooled 10th and 11th graders)

Second Prize (Grades 7 – 9 category): The Big Carrot by Julia Hou (8th grader at Gelinas Junior High School)

Second Prize (Grades 10 – 12 category): Mareld by Ammella Een (Homeschooled 12th grader)

Library Director Ted Gutmann, along with the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, presented all of the winners’ books – bound and added to the Library’s Local Focus Collection – along with $400 checks to first prize winners Matthew Blumenthal (9th grader at R.C. Murphy Junior High School) and Amelia Grant and Anna Grant (10^th and 11^th graders who are homeschooled) and $100 checks for second prize winners Julia Hou (8th grader at P.J. Gelinas Junior High School) and Ammella Een (12th grader who is homeschooled).  Senator Mario Mattera, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Legislator Kara Hahn, Supervisor Ed Romaine, and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich were all in attendance to present certificates to the winners from New York State, Suffolk County, and Brookhaven Town, respectively.

Many of the speakers discussed the wonderful talent and bright futures of these winners. Assemblyman Steve Englebright remarked, “We get a preview here, actually, of the future. And because young people who dare to dream, and in this case, put those dreams to paper and make it into art and literature, that is the future and it is reassuring.” Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine commented, “We have some authors here this evening who are young in age, but wise in experience.”

Library Board President Deborah Blair, Vice President Christopher Fletcher, Treasurer Carol Leister, Secretary Dave Douglas, and trustees Orlando Maione and Suzanne Shane were there to congratulate the winners.  Three Village Central School District Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Kevin Scanlon, Murphy Junior High Principal Brian Biscari, Murphy Junior High English Chair Jessica Metrio, and Murphy Junior High School Librarian Betsy Knox, and Ward Melville High School Librarian April Hatcher 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 Raymond Lang 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 between 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.

Senator Mario Mattera commented, “You accomplished something so incredible, and I just want to say congratulations to all the winners.”

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 awards as a tribute to their mother and her commitment to passing along the importance and joy of reading for generations to come. Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich mentioned that Mrs. Shack not only created a legacy of her family members, but also the legacy of the books that come out of this contest.

Mrs. Shack’s son, Ed Taylor, spoke about a milestone in their family this past year – the birth of the first great grandchild of the late Helen Stein Shack. “She’s going to be sitting on our laps, and we’ll be reading her the books that were inspired by this competition that’s in the name of this little girl’s great grandmother, who she didn’t get a chance to meet, but who she’ll have that connection through these books…we thought we were giving a gift to the library, but the library really gave us a gift.”

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”