The Heart of the Three Village Community
Category: FP Mosaic
Interim Director
Message from the Library Board of Trustees
As was announced in our July/August newsletter (see image below), Ted Gutmann has retired as Library Director. The Board of Trustees has been actively engaged in the search for Emma S. Clark Memorial Library’s next Director.
Effective September 22, 2025, we have appointed Brian Debus, currently Head Children’s Librarian, as Interim Director. Brian will serve in this role until a permanent Director is selected.
The Board extends its sincere gratitude to Ted not only for his 27 years of dedicated service to the Library, but also for his continued leadership as Interim Director over the past several months. We wish him all the best as he begins a well-deserved retirement.
Teen/Tween Takeover Days
We host “Teen & Tween Takeover” Days, providing an opportunity for those in Grades 6 – 12 to spend the day at the Library with back-to-back programs over the course of one day.
Sunday, December 28. Sign up for one or more of these programs:
Tote Bags for Library Drives, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Decorate canvas totes to be donated to local pantries and soup kitchens, along with items from the Library’s various supplies drives. Taught by Teen & Tween Dept Staff. Earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.
Trivia and Pizza, 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Are you terrific at trivia? Test your skills at this program! 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.
Pocket Scarves for People in Need, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Hand sew pocket scarves to be donated to people in need, via the library’s Give Warmth drive. Taught by Teen & Tween Dept Staff. No prior sewing skills necessary. Earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.
Little Essentials Pantry: Mason Jar Hot Cocoa Gifts, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Create Mason Jar Hot Cocoa Gifts for people in need, to be distributed via the Library’s Little Essentials Pantry. Taught by Teen & Tween Dept Staff. Earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.
Sunday, January 18. Sign up for one or more of these programs:
Seed Packet Processing, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Count, pack, and label seed packets for our Seed Library. Earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.
Comfort and Cocoa, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Write messages of empowerment for survivors of human trafficking on a piece of felt, creating a quilt which will be donated to SCATI (Suffolk County Anti Trafficking Initiative). We will serve hot cocoa during the program. Taught by Danielle DiMauro. Earn 1 hour of community service credit upon completion of the program. Click here to register now.
Nintendo Switch Tournament, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Bring your friends and meet other gamers at this Nintendo Switch Tournament! The Library will provide all equipment; teens are welcome to bring their own wireless controllers if they prefer. Snacks will be provided; winning teens and tweens get prizes. Click here to register now.
Questions? Email teens@emmaclark.org
Visit the Library Café
Social Work Service
Graduate Student in Social Work from SBU Answers Your Questions – Each Week at the Library
Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare student intern, James, is on-site at the Library each week during designated hours to answer questions, help with filling out forms, or seek referrals. Inquiries that he 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.
This service is open to all ages. The social work intern meets with patrons in the Small Study Room on the Lower Level. Appointments are not required but strongly encouraged. Appointments can be made as early as a week in advance. Click here to reserve your timeslot. Or call 631.941.4080 and ask for the Reference Desk.
Conversations will be kept confidential; this is a safe and welcoming environment.
The social work intern is training to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is at Emma Clark Library to answer questions but is not a therapist; referrals will be given to people looking for clinical therapy. He is a mandated reporter for cases of neglect, abuse, or harm.
Resources from the SBU Social Work Interns:
Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens
Questions? Email askus@emmaclark.org
Mobile Health Bus – 1/8
The Heart of the Three Village Community
