Live-brary.com Launch Day

Check out the great video about Live-brary.com, made by Reference Librarian Carlton Welch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj84sCCPc7A

It's New! Live-brary. com

On Tuesday, September 21st, all 56 public libraries in Suffolk county introduced Live-brary.com, the new digital branch, with free demos, giveaways, and celebrations. Here at Longwood, New York State Assemblymembers Dean Murray and Marc Alessi (shown here) cut the ribbon and began the festivities. Library staff were available to answer questions and provide demonstrations of all the services available through Live-brary.com, such as free downloads of audiobooks, ebooks, music, and video, online tutors, career and test help, and research. Also featured are unique databases such as Suffolk Historic Newspapers. There's even a link to information in Spanish through Informate Espanol. All you need is a library card to start using all these great services so get one today!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

September is Library Card Sign-up Month and the Longwood Public Library Children's Department wants to make sure that your child is among the two-thirds of Americans that carry the smartest card of all - a library card. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

So, sign up for a library card...it's free!

Every child that signs up for their first library card will receive a "Welcome to the Library" bag filled with a special treat.

For those children who already have their own library card - show us and enter a raffle to win some great prizes.

Winners will be announced October 1st...contact the Children's Reference Desk with any questions you may have at 924-6400 ext. 236.

Live-brary.com: Redefining your world

You've probably noticed a big change on our webpage recently. Many of the icons for online services have disappeared. Don't worry! They are all there, and even better organized now under a new icon "Live-brary.com". All of the Suffolk County public libraries are introducing Live-brary.com as a "digital branch" on September 21st. But you don't have to wait: the page is already up and running. Use it to download audio and video, search the online databases, or ask a question. For a demo of all the free services available online through the Longwood Public Library, stop in on September 21 from 3 to 9pm.

Summer Reading Clubs

There is still time to collect your prizes and to enter the raffles for this year's Summer Reading Clubs!! You have until August 27th to get in your raffles for the Adult Summer Reading Club or August 31st for the Young Adult and Children's Summer Reading Clubs. So, keep reading and make sure to stop in for your prizes!!

Sidewalk Art @ the Library!

Parents and children joined us today at the library to turn our drab parking lot into a work of art...and they did a great job!
What a beautiful day to be outside using our imaginations, playing hopscotch and just hanging with the family.
Thanks to all that attended!

Abracadabra with Yo Gabba Gabba!

Miss Lorraine and Miss Laina danced "dancy-dances" and made a wonderful "crafty-craft" with a lively group of parents and children today at the library!! The families were able to stuff and glue together either a Toodee or Muno pillow after listening to a Yo Gabba Gabba story. The fun continued with the children dancing to Yo Gabba Gabba tunes and learning some Yo Gabba Gabba moves!

Places To Go, Things To See This Summer!

Visit our homepage and click on the link of "Places To Go, Things To See This Summer" for three great lists filled with ideas for family fun.

We have an "Affordable Things To Do on Long Island: Admission Fees $6 & Under" that focuses on places to bring children.

There is a "Fun & Free Things To Do On Long Island" that lists outdoor and indoor activities for both children and adults.

We also have a great "Staycation Guide" that gives you some fantastic ideas for a vacation at home! Listed are beaches, vineyards, museums, parks and much more.

When looking for something to do this summer, don't forget the library...click here for our newsletter!

Take a Trip to the Intrepid...

The library has added an additional pass to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. So, if you are looking for something to do this summer reserve your pass today! The pass allows up to 6 people to visit for free. Remember you can come in or call the library to reserve a pass or go online to look at the available dates and reserve it yourself. All you need is an adult library card in good standing and you're all set. Click here to see the list of available dates...

Frogs, Bugs & Animals...Oh My!

Jason Reilly from Green Meadows Farm in Floral Park brought his traveling petting zoo to the library on Monday, July 19. Jason entertained the families with fun facts about the visiting animals before the children and parents were able to walk around the room and visit with such creatures as hedgehogs, tree frogs, ducklings, hissing cockroaches, tortoises, snails, mice and guinea pigs. The families all joined Jason back on the carpet for a Moms vs. Dads chicken dance competition! Fun was had by all during this wonderful, hands-on program. Look for them to visit again in the future!

Explore the Outdoors...@ Yaphank Lake!

On a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning, families of the Longwood Public Library joined our "Nature Lady", Barbara Lindemann, for some hands-on, get-your-feet-wet fun! All the children were given nets and were excited to explore all the creatures that live in Yaphank Lake. We saw fish, tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs, mussels, clams and more. So, if you missed the fun this year, you can still come to the library to learn about all the creatures and take a ride to the lake to discover them on your own with your family!!

Jester Jim @ the Library!

Jester Jim came for a visit on Thursday,

July 8th and gave us two fantastic

performances!

The parents and children that attended are still commenting on what a great show it was and how much fun they had...so make sure to sign up for the show the next time he comes for a visit!

New Museum Passes Added to Collection

The library has added several new passes just in time for summer!

• The Discovery Museum (Bridgeport, CT)



• The Guggenheim Museum (NYC)



• The Hecksher Museum of Art (Huntington, NY)



• The Vanderbilt Museum (Centerport, NY)

We have also added an additional pass to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC!

So, take advantage of this wonderful service...remember that you can call us to reserve a pass or visit http://longwood.suffolk.lib.ny.us/museum_passes.html to do it yourself.

Look Who is Making a Splash @ the LPL...

Check out the new addition to the Children's Room this summer...a salt-water fish tank!
The Children's Deparment hosted a "Discovery Tank" program from Cornell Cooperative on Monday, June 21st and they left a few of their fishy friends behind.
The participants learned all about sea stars, shellfish, hermit crabs, snails & fish during this hands-on workshop. So, the next time you're here, stop in to see the tank...it's a lot of fun!
Thank you to all the participants who helped to build the tank.
Here they are making their nicest fish faces for the camera!!

Library adding native grasses

Did you see our meadow? For a few weeks, we allowed the grass on the west hill of the library to grow tall, as we explore adding native grasses to our landscape. It is our intention to reduce the areas to be mowed around the library where possible, so that wildflowers and native grasses can grow. Recently, an expert from the Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District conducted a field visit and is advising us on how to proceed. Today our "meadow" was mowed, but don't worry: it'll be back better than every next year!

Teens Win Book Contest!

A team of local book-loving teens from the Longwood Public Library has won the Advanced Division Battle of the Books, a fiercely-fought annual reading competition that pits 17 library teams across Suffolk County against each other. The "Mega Diaper Babies" (seen here in their "Rugrats" costumes) correctly answered many difficult questions about 3 books they read: Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin, and Rash by Pete Hautmann. This is the second year in a row that the team from Longwood has emerged victorious. Congratulations Mega Diaper Babies!

Annual Library Budget Vote April 13th

Be sure to stop in at the library on Tuesday, April 13, when our annual Budget Vote will take place in the Adult Department. Voting will be for the proposed 2010-2011 budget, adopted by the Board of Trustees on March 17, and for one trustee who will serve a five year term. Detailed information about the budget is available on the library homepage. If you have any questions, please contact David Clemens, 924-6400, ext. 275, or by e-mail dclemens@suffolk.lib.ny.us.

Solar Project Underway!

Workers have begun removing the old black rubber roof over the Community Rooms and replacing that section with a white thermoplastic roofing. The new insulation is also 3 times as thick as the former material. This will result in further energy efficiency. Next they will install the racks that will be used to mount the 50 photovoltaic panels for our new solar array. Some programs were postponed or cancelled during this construction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Our 11kw system is expected to save money each month on our electricity bill. In addition, we received a grant of $30,000 as part of the New York State Public Library Construction Aid program. Finally, we are participating in LIPA's Solar Pioneer Program, and expect to receive a rebate of $47,000 once the system is operating.

Listen to the Newsletter

Beginning with the February 2010 issue, the Library newsletter is now available in audio format. A group of teen volunteers along with several of our librarians will record each issue so that anyone with low vision may listen to it instead of reading it. Just click on the "Current Newsletter" link on the left side of the homepage, and choose "Audio Newsletter". The recordings are divided into children's programs, young adult programs, and adult and senior services. You may listen to one section or all if you wish. Please let us know what you think of this new service by contacting Kitty Grinnell, 924-6400, ext. 244 or email kgrinnel@suffolk.lib.ny.us.

Important Message from the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Longwood Public Library is pleased to announce that they have purchased the three acre property adjacent to the library on the south side. This acquisition is a significant investment in the future of the library as well as the future of our community. This purchase was made from the Library Building Fund, and will have no impact on taxes.

Whether it is borrowing materials, using public computers, crafting, participating in the summer and winter reading clubs, attending concerts, book discussions and community group meetings, or learning new skills in our computer and instructional classes, residents of the Longwood community continue to use the Library’s many services in record numbers. The library’s circulation is the 4th highest in Suffolk County and attendance at library programs has doubled since 2000. Last year the library was visited by more than 1000 people per day. Over the past twenty years, the size of our community has increased along with the need for additional materials, classes, and programs. In order to meet current demand and provide for the future needs of our community, the Library Board of Trustees has begun to explore options for improving our facilities. Questions and comments are welcome. Please contact David Clemens, the Library Director, at 924-6400, ext. 275, or by e-mail at dclemens@suffolk.lib.ny.us.