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Middle Country Public Library

By Tara Mae

Like separate entries in an anthology, different community organizations offer rich options for diverse cultural endeavors that form a cohesive collection of experiences to encourage understanding and appreciation.

In this spirit, Middle Country Public Library’s Centereach branch at 101 Eastwood Blvd. will host Museum Day on Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is free and no registration is required. 

This year 30 local institutions are participating, including the Long Island Museum of American History, Art and Carriages (LIM) in Stony Brook, Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) in Setauket, Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, Railroad Museum of Long Island in Riverhead, and Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown.  

“The purpose [of Museum Day] is to provide a forum for community members to interact with representatives from local museums, historical societies, science and nature centers that participate to share information regarding their collections, programs, and exhibits in a festival type setting,” said Deborah Hempe, Middle Country Public Library’s Coordinator for Outreach Services and Museum Corner.

Held at the Museum Corner section of the library, which is part of the Youth Services Department, Museum Day is geared towards children and their families. Interactive elements across multiple mediums include science experiments, arts and crafts, live animal visits, and interaction with museum displays and artifacts. 

“For many children, looking and listening isn’t enough to activate the desire to learn. At events like this, children are presented with opportunities to also create, explore objects for themselves, and feel a connection that is personal,” said Lisa Unander, Director of Education at the Long Island Museum. “That feeling can be a catalyst to spark wonder and a lifelong love of art and history.”

The LIM will have a collage project inspired by the art of Reynold Ruffins, whose work is featuring in one of its current exhibits, Painting Partnership: Reynold and Joan Ruffins. The activity will concentrate on how using color and geometric shapes can create art. 

TVHS will set up a mini-exhibit and teach hands-on crafts, like making colonial whirligigs. Sweetbriar Nature Center will attend with two of its ambassador animals; traditionally, a resident owl and snake come as its guests. The Railroad Museum of Long Island will set up a train display. 

“I enjoy seeing the families who attend Museum Day and [engaging] with the children on hands-on learning activities we offer during the event,” said Education Coordinator of TVHS Lindsey Steward-Goldberg.

These offerings are made to energize minds and excite imaginations. 

“Museums can be places that introduce new ideas, unique perspectives and often challenge people’s ways of looking and thinking. Giving children a chance expand their way of thinking and encouragement to be creative in unexpected ways is often a goal of museum educators,” Unander said. 

For 35 years, Middle Country Public Library has organized the gathering in conjunction with International Museum Day, which falls on or around May 18. In 2023, more than 37,000 museums in about 158 countries and territories took part in the celebration.

Coordinated by the International Council of Museums, International Museum Day has a distinctive theme every year; 2024’s focus is Museums for Education and Research.

Although the motif changes, primary objectives of the official occasion and the library’s exhibition remain consistent: to alert people to the role museums play in the advancement of society and fortify the cooperation between neighboring operations.

“The public is able to learn about what these local organizations have to offer in a fun and interactive setting…Additionally, it provides a nice way for the organizations to do a bit of networking with each other,” Hempe said.  

A welcome chance to fortify interdisciplinary dynamics for the attending entities while engaging with a new audience and enchanting existing patrons, Museum Day is both a synopsis and preview of the organizations’ services. Many vendors return annually to maximize and solidify their exposure.

“Each year we meet many patrons who know our museum, and also many who have not ever visited the LIM. It is a wonderful way to showcase what the LIM has to offer and to extend a personal invitation to these families to visit for the first time or to come back and see what is new since their last visit,” Unander said. 

Through nurturing partnerships of longevity and consistency, Museum Day invigorates  lifelong interest in learning as well as sustained support for assemblages dedicated to historical preservation and intellectual enrichment. 

“I look forward to further cultivating those relationships, interacting with the staff and volunteers of participating organizations, and seeing the event attendees interacting with them as well…all are welcome,” Hempe said.

Participating organizations include:

American Airpower Museum

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Bethel Hobbs Community Farm

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Community Education

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society

Fire Island National Seashore

Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council

Hallockville Museum Farm

Hofstra University Museum of Art

Long Island Explorium

Long Island Maritime Museum

Long Island Museum

Long Island Telephone Museum

LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum

Montauk Historical Society/Lighthouse

NY Marine Rescue Center

Old Westbury Gardens

Patchogue Arts Council

Railroad Museum of Long Island

Sagtikos Manor

Smithtown Historical Society

Southampton History Museum

South Fork Natural History Museum

Sweetbriar Nature Center

Three Village Historical Society

Town of Brookhaven Historian

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor

Water Mill Museum

To learn more about Museum Day, call 631-585-9393 or visit www.mcplibrary.org.

Amber Gagliardi. Photo from MCPL

In its May 2024 issue, Library Journal showcases the 50 recipients of the 2024 Movers & Shakers awards—a vibrant cohort of Advocates, Community Builders, Change Agents, Innovators, Educators, and Ban Battlers selected from public libraries across the United States. 

Middle Country Public Library adult services librarian Amber Gagliardi is one of these 2024 Movers and Shakers. Amber received this honor for creating the MCPL Seed Library and the Local Eats program series with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Additionally, Amber expanded MCPL’s traditional gardening programs to include seed saving and gardening that helps local pollinators thrive.

As part of her efforts, Amber has encouraged other libraries in Suffolk County to join the seed library movement and librarians from throughout the county have reached out to her for help as they take on this challenge. In response to the growing need to support her fellow librarians, Amber co-founded the Long Island Seed Libraries Roundtable with Regina Dlugokencky, from Glen Cove Public Library, as a way to share knowledge between seed libraries. 

As Library Journal Executive Editor Lisa Peet said when announcing this year’s Movers and Shakers, “Our 2024 Movers represent a range of innovative, proactive, and supportive work; they are imaginative and kind and brave in a world that needs those qualities – and the results they produce – very much.” Middle Country Public Library could not be more thrilled for Amber Gagliardi and this new class of Movers and Shakers – they represent an inspiring sample of the work being done in and around libraries today.

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Founded in 1876, Library Journal is a trade publication serving librarians and library workers. Sharing important news and perspectives that shape the field, surfacing best practices and innovations to invest in, identifying emerging leaders, guiding purchasing decisions, and acting as an advocate for librarians and libraries, Library Journal has been leading the field through the great changes and innovations required to keep libraries strong for nearly 150 years.

Middle Country Public Library is a dynamic center for life-long learning that provides access to a wide range of programs, services, technology, and resources to meet the needs of a diverse community.

Middle Country Public Library’s Centereach branch at 101 Eastwood Blvd., will host a Youth Abilities Day: A
Special Needs Resource Fair on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to all.

Youth Abilities Day is about helping individuals with disabilities and their families find the right resources to enrich lives. The fair features approximately 20 organizations representing a wide variety of specialties including sports, music, baking, healthcare, therapies and many more.

Attendees will be entertained by the Great and Powerful Dave who will provide a magic show at 1 p.m. The Super Mario Bros. characters will also be available for photos during the event and there will be a space provided to unwind in a sensory room. This event is provided in partnership with Stony Brook University’s Occupational Therapy students and Middle Country Special Education PTA.

For more information about the fair, contact the youth services department at Middle Country Public Library at 631-585-9393 ext. 559. Pre-registration is encouraged, over the phone or on the library’s website, www.mcplibrary.org.

Photos courtesy Sophia Serlis-McPhillips

Prepared by Samantha Rutt

Luise Marie Weiss, a cherished member of the Middle Country community passed on Dec. 21 at the age of 86. Luise was born on April 25, 1937 in Mineola. Luise was the daughter of Julius Steinbrenner and Elsa Muller. 

Throughout her life Luise left an indelible mark on her community, serving nearly 40 years at Middle Country Public Library. Here, she worked as the head of adult services, where she spearheaded the law, business and careers collections, topics she expressed a great passion for. In her time in this role, Luise connected with many community members offering a warmth and rejuvenating presence.

“She was a person who had a passion and enthusiasm for books and reference and learning and education, she pulled everybody in,” Director of the Middle Country Public Library, Sophia Serlis-McPhillips said. “Luise was very influential in all of our lives [at the library].” 

In addition to her work at the library, Luise played an integral part in the development of the Miller Business Center, a regional resource for businesses, independent entrepreneurs, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals. 

“It was Luise’s passion and influence with that collection that drove us to that next step,” Serlis-McPhillips said. “The Miller Center is a big initiative of our library foundation. We have so many businesses on Long Island and if you think about the Center, it all emanated from the passion, really of this one woman.”

The goal of the center is to support regional economic development by promoting a literate and job-ready workforce and providing employment information and career exploration opportunities. 

“At the time, the Center was almost equal to a law library,” Serlis-McPhillips explained. “Everything that we did… we partnered with the Hauppauge Industrial Association, to give members access to the resources that we had, teaching people how to use them, and more networking. Luise’s passion really fueled all that.”

Luise’s love of business was one of her most beloved characteristics. She earned two master’s degrees, a degree in Library Science from CW Post and the other in History from Stony Brook University.

“She loved history,” Serlis-McPhillips said. “She wrote a variety of books. She helped us when we wrote our history book for Middle Country.”

She is survived by her loving children, Kirk, Wayne, and Wendy. She now finds comfort in the embrace of a long-awaited reunion with her late son Douglas.

Her spirit lives in her 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services were held at Moloney-Sinnicksons Funeral Home in Center Moriches.

“You know when you come across the special people in your life, that was Louise.” Serlis-McPhillips said.

Middle Country Public Library, 575 Middle Country Road, Selden will host a Venues for Volunteering Fair on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Come find out what volunteer opportunities are available in our area and how you can help!

The following organizations are scheduled to be at the event: All American Assisted Living – Coram, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, EAC Chance to Advance, Family Service League Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Federation of Organizations/Senior Companion Program, Fire Island Light House Preservation Society, Friends of the Middle Country Public Library, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, Great Strides LI, Kids Need More, Legal Hand, Literacy Suffolk, Inc., Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook, Mercy Haven Inc., Middle Country Public Library, NY Blood Center, Rebuilding Together Long Island, Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue, Selden Fire Department, Suffolk County Police Explorers, Town of Brookhaven Dept. of Environmental Education and the Three Village Historical Society.

No registration required. For more information, call 631-585-9393.

Middle Country Public Library has been offering several different activities for patrons this fall season. One activity involved “spirits” — creating  scarecrows out of wine bottles. Fifty-five library patrons at MCPL’s Selden location recently enjoyed participating in the Scarecrow Wine Bottle Decoration program.

Middle Country Public Library director Sophia Serlis-McPhillips cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of the library’s new café. Photo by Raymond Janis

Middle Country Public Library, Centereach unveiled its new café Friday, Sept. 8, continuing an ongoing campaign expanding arts, education and cultural opportunities throughout the greater Middle Country area.

The new café offers freshly brewed coffee and craft espresso drinks from TEND Coffee and baked goods from JeJoJo Bagels of Centereach. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Library staff hosted community members and public officials for the grand opening ceremony. Library director Sophia Serlis-McPhillips cut the ribbon to the cheers and adulation of the crowd.

“This café is part of a renovation we did for the entire library, which started in 2018,” she said. “We had a soft opening over the summer, but today was the official.”

Serlis-McPhillips highlighted the considerable public demand for a café space through the years, suggesting that the recent library renovations offer a suitable opportunity to embark upon the undertaking.

“We wanted to do that because it seemed like what the patrons and the community wanted,” the MCPL director said. “It is nice for people just to sit down and relax.”

She continued, “Unlike some other places, we are manning the staff. So we hire the staff and train them,” adding that the partnership with JeJoJo’s represents an ongoing effort by the library “to keep everything local.”

Along with the new café, MCPL offers a new maker space and a recording studio. Serlis-McPhillips noted how these innovations have “become part of our everyday operation.”

Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa and Middle Country Public Library director Sophia Serlis-McPhillips celebrate the grand opening of the library’s café. Photo by Raymond Janis

Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), the majority leader of the county Legislature whose 4th District includes Centereach, congratulated library staff and patrons alike.

“This is just an exciting day for the residents of Middle County to have a facility like this,” he said. “We’ve always had beautiful libraries, but this just takes it up a notch.”

The majority leader highlighted how the new café plays into ongoing community revitalization efforts, with proposals for greater public investments and sewers. He maintained arts and cultural institutions such as MCPL as “vital” to the health and future prosperity of the community. 

“We should never overlook arts — whether they be from paintings to theatrics to … 3D printing,” he added. “The capabilities are unlimited for what we can do, and we have to keep that alive and well in our community.”

Town of Brookhaven Councilman Neil Manzella (R-Selden), who represents Centereach on the Town Board, was once a part-time employee at MCPL. He underscored the several transformations the facility has undergone since his departure.

“It’s just so heartwarming to see how much it’s growing and adapting to the times,” he said. “To see how much it’s growing and everything they do, it’s just amazing.”

Manzella expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities of sewers and for further community revitalization and commercial redevelopment. But as local government works toward those objectives, he said institutions like MCPL remain a “cornerstone” for residents.

“Anything that helps provide the arts, that helps provide outlets for any kind of entertainment or fun, the library is something that provides that,” the councilman said.

Adding to these sentiments, Serlis-McPhillips regarded the library as “central.”

“I definitely feel that we are in the heart of the community,” she said. “Our community supports the library a lot,” adding, “When we work together collectively, I think that makes a difference.”

The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach is hosting its Youth Abilities Day: A Special Needs Resource Fair. Pictured above, children participating in one of the library’s family events. Photo courtesy MCPL

The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach is hosting its Youth Abilities Day: A Special Needs Resource Fair on Friday, April 28, from 4-7 p.m., at 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach. This event is provided in partnership with Stony Brook University’s Occupational Therapy students and Middle Country Special Education PTA.

Youth Abilities Day is free and open to all. The fair features approximately 20 organizations representing a wide array of specialties, including sports, music, baking, healthcare, therapies and more. 

The Super Mario Bros. characters will be available for photos during the event, along with a space to unwind in a sensory room. The library’s Flashing Fingers Sign Language Club will perform at 6 p.m. 

Youth Abilities Day is about helping individuals with disabilities and their families find the right resources to enrich lives. MCPL strives to provide a diverse array of educational and recreational resources for patrons of different backgrounds, abilities, ages and interests to ensure that the library has something for everyone. 

For more information about the fair, contact the youth services department at Middle Country Public Library at 631-585-9393 ext. 559. Pre-registration is encouraged over the phone or on the library’s website, www.mcplibrary.org.

The Hallock family played with the “Rigamajig” building toys in the “Engineering at Work” Museum Corner exhibit at Middle Country Public Library in Centereach. Photo courtesy MCPL

The Museum Corner at Middle Country Public Library in Centereach has a new exhibit, “Engineering at Work.” 

Visitors can come in during regular library hours to enjoy fun and engaging hands-on learning activities that will generate interest in and knowledge of different types of engineering.

The exhibit, geared toward children five- to 11-years-old, includes several activity stations providing role-play, experimentation and problem-solving opportunities in addition to displays featuring real-life engineers. 

These are just some of the exciting elements to be found in the exhibit, presented with support from the Middle Country Library Foundation.

The Middle Country Public Library recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the Centereach Reading Room. 

The newly renovated 7,500 square foot area includes an innovation maker space and podcast recording studio that will allow the community to explore new technologies. 

Patrons will have the opportunity to participate in the creative process and collaborate with one another in a quiet study room and two small group study rooms along with a redesigned public computer area. 

The functional and transformational design was created in collaboration with architectural firm Bermello Ajamil and Partners and includes the information desk and a glass curtain wall leading to the Reading Garden, and a café that is scheduled to open in the early part of 2023. 

The library thanks the community for their support throughout this project and the many distinguished guests who attended the ceremony, including Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) and Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden).