January

●      Library board members, staff, & guests celebrated the opening of the new Café with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

●      125 people attended the Preschool Fair to search for the perfect fit for their family.

●      ABCMouse, an award-winning early learning resource, was made available for free, at-home use by young learners.

●      Empire Passes were integrated into the Museum Pass collection so that patrons may reserve the passes for specific dates.

February

●      A revamped Library of Things debuted with 15+ new items and an upgraded borrowing experience for patrons.

●      147 children & parents participated in Super Bowl “Saturday”, a football-themed event that is always a touchdown!

●      Over 800 items were donated to the Little Valentines: Baby Supplies Drive.

●      112 children & parents played mini-golf in the Children’s Library over Winter Break,

March

●      Winter Reading Challenges came to a close with over 4,000 books read by kids and teens.

●      CollegeNow debuted, an online resource useful for teens, parents, or anyone headed to college.

●      The new Seed Library and Seed Swap Box blossomed just in time for the First Day of Spring!

●      Ahead of the much-anticipated Solar Eclipse, Emma Clark hosted a class for adults & teens, as well as one geared towards children. In total, the Library provided 500 solar eclipse glasses for the Three Village community.

April

●      A decade of celebrations! Emma Clark staff & board members, family of the late Mrs. Shack, elected officials, and representatives from the school district honored the winners of the 10th annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Contest.

●      Close to 100 responsible citizens came to the Library with their unused medication for proper disposal by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s office.

●      Over 100 Fifth Graders from Minnesauke Elementary took a field trip to the Library to get information about the new Seed Library, learn about Emma Clark’s history, and receive a tour of the Library.

●      Children’s Librarians read stories to 82 Kindergarteners at Setauket Elementary School. 135 First Graders from the school went on a field trip to the Library.

●      211 children and families took part in Giant Game & Big Voice Day on the Library’s Front Lawn during Spring Break.

May

●      The Library began offering discounted tickets to both Adventureland and The Adventure Park, fitting the Summer Reading theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library!”

●      The 9/11 Memorial & Museum was the newest addition to the Museum Pass collection.

●      Winners of the annual Kids Bookmark Contest were announced.

●      Due to popular demand, the Little Free Library at West Meadow opened early this year so that beach-goers may pick up books even longer.

●      The inaugural concert of the Ellen Bogolub Chamber Music Series was a lovely afternoon of music with about 65 guests listening to the Gold and Glitter Ensemble.

●      Community Shred Day and E-Waste Recycling brought in hundreds of enthusiastic recyclers.

June

●      Kids and Teen Summer Reading Challenges commenced with an “Adventure” theme.

●      Children’s Librarians spoke with hundreds of curious individuals at the annual Maker Faire Long Island.

●      3,631 school supplies were collected and distributed so that local organizations had time to get packages ready over the summer for children in need.

July

●      150 music lovers sat on the Library lawn, and there was a rainbow in the sky, for the Claudia Jacobs and the Say Hey Crew outdoor concert …a magical summer evening!

●      The Children’s Department had a record-breaking July with 2,941 patrons attending 83 classes & events. This is not including families simply coming into the Library for the books, toys, & company!

August

●      The Summer Food Drive brought in 780 items for those facing food insecurity.

●      360 children & their families interacted with farm animals on the Library lawn.

●      276 Bluey fans, both young & old, joined us for crafts & games in the Children’s Library.

●      This summer, 85 teens & their families cleaned up West Meadow Beach, and 114 volunteers & families helped out on Hobbs Farm through the library.

●      More than 1,200 Three Village Kids & Teens read 26,267 books over the summer!

September

●      The free social work service from Stony Brook University resumed at Emma Clark with two new student interns for the school year.

●      500 Books Before Middle School, an ongoing book challenge, launched for elementary-aged children.

●      200 community members made the Library one of their stops for the 10th annual Culper Spy Day festivities.

●      Over 100 Percy Jackson fans engaged in activities to “reclaim the lost master bolt” in the Children’s Library.

●      About 175 eager individuals visited the Community Volunteer Fair to learn more about how they can contribute their time to local organizations.

October

●      Children picked a sweet character and made their way through the colorful “road” at the Library’s annual Candy Land event. Over 150 kids, parents, & teen volunteers!

●      Close to 400 vehicles came through Community Shred Day, recycling about 9,500 lbs. of paper.

●      Nurses on the Mobile Health Outreach Bus screened 36 individuals and administered 23 flu vaccinations.

●      No school on a Monday? Instead, over 300 kids & their caregivers played games and made crafts at “Fall Fun Day.”

●      At the first ever “Teen After Hours” event, Laser Tag, junior high and high schoolers energetically enjoyed themselves at the Library on a Saturday night.

●      Emma Clark’s entry for the scarecrow contest in Stony Brook Village was based on the celebrated and spooky Goosebumps series by R. L. Stine.

●      The Better World Books bin was installed in the Library’s parking lot for visitors to donate their old books.

November

●      In honor of Veterans Day, 41 adults and teens learned from a veteran advocate about his journey with PTSD and how Paws of War saved his life. An annual tradition, over 100 local veterans were commemorated in the Library’s lobby and on social media channels.

●      90 patrons brought in their unwanted medication for safe and proper disposal at the Shed the Meds event.

●      Cozy donations of 147 new pajamas were collected and transported by teen volunteers to local charities that help those in need.

December

●      Make the friendship bracelets – 62 kids & family members created beaded jewelry in the Children’s Library.