Can you feel the arrival of Spring? Warmer weather and longer days are just around the corner, and soon the Osprey will return to their nests. We’ve been hard at work planning an exciting lineup of events for our community to enjoy this Spring!
You may have noticed some changes in our library collections recently. We’ve been diligently weeding through items - an essential but often unglamorous part of maintaining our collections. Weeding involves systematically removing outdated, damaged, or irrelevant materials to make room for new additions, improve the browsing experience for our patrons, and keep our collection attractive, reliable, and up-to-date. While it’s not the most enjoyable task, it’s vital to ensure a vibrant, well-functioning library for our community!
We’re pleased to congratulate Daniel G., who was recently awarded the Presidential Service Award by our Teen Librarian, Marissa Timm. Daniel completed an impressive 106 hours of community service over the course of a year. We are so proud to recognize his dedication and are thrilled to be able to present this honor to teens in our community. Great work, Daniel!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Bike Borrow Program this April, just in time for Earth Month! Designed to be equitable and sustainable, this new initiative—made possible through local and regional partnerships—allows adult library card holders to check out a bike for up to two weeks, free of charge. Whether for transportation, recreation, or errands, this program encourages cycling for both health and convenience. Stay tuned for the arrival of three refurbished adult bikes available for loan next month..
In addition, we are delighted to share that we’ve received a generous anonymous donation made in honor of former Library Director, Thomas Fleetwood. Thom led the Mattituck Free Library from 1986 to 1991 and was known for his creative approach to children’s programming. We’re proud to celebrate his legacy and the lasting impact he had on our library and community.
Your community library has continued to be a vibrant hub throughout the past year. In 2024, we welcomed over 49,000 visitors, issued 277 new cards, and currently have 3,562 active cardholders. We circulated more than 74,000 items, both print and digital, and our public computers were used over 3,000 times. Additionally, our public Wi-Fi was accessed over 3,500 times. We also hosted more than 600 programs, with 10,000+ attendees.
Help us continue to shape the future of the Mattituck-Laurel community by engaging in the conversation about the proposed renovation. Stay tuned for more updates on the proposed renovation by visiting our website > About Us > Renovation Update.
Warmly,
Shauna Scholl, Director