Tara D’Amato, Assistant Library DirectorMastics Moriches Shirley Community Library –

www.communitylibrary.org

public service

noun: the business of supplying something (such as electricity or transportation) to the members of a community

- something that is done to help people rather than to make a profit

- work that someone does as part of a government the work done by public servants

Community Outreach & InvolvementWe committed to bring programs and services

way beyond books Out into the community

long before other libraries even considered the concept

80% of success is showing up

At the Beach

- Woody Allen, director

Showing up at Veteran’s events

Showing up at summer and fall outdoor festivals

Showing up parades

Throwing a huge birthday party for a 275 year old man

BUT WHY ???

“… because that’s where the money is”. – Willy Sutton

We keep reaching out because

- Not everybody can get to the library

- It shows we are willing to make a great effort

- It shows we respect what other groups are trying to accomplish

- It shows us the diversity in our community

- Outside activities get families interacting in positive ways

- We are part of an evolving community, not just a place

NY Rising Reconstruction CommitteeRotary Club of Shirley & Mastics

Leaders also lead outside the library …

Our charter from the New York State Education Department. We have unique credentials to educate our community. We are a legitimate and trusted entity.

Beyond the obvious, we can Share administrative support

Secure grant funding

Teach technology

Research in depth

Document and preserve

Share meeting space & resources

Magnify efforts of other agencies

Library Link Database

Unique resources

Disaster Support

School Outreach

Attended regular District Wide PTO meetings

Man tables at Kindergarten Orientation & Parent Teacher nights. Library card signup.

Staff present at August New Teacher Orientation & Parents University

Shared committee work with schools – culminating in William Floyd Birthday Project

Technical Support

What Problem can you Solve?

“Speakers are always telling you to find your passion. This is the biggest load of crap old people have ever foisted on the young … Think about what life wants from you. If you're observant, some large problem will plop itself in front of you. It will define your mission and your calling. Your passion won't come from inside, it will come from outside.”

-- David Brooks, NY Times Columnist

40% of area children qualify

for Federal aid for school meals

The Tri Hamlet Renaissance Project determined that revitalizing downtown Mastic Beach is key to improving the public image and economic viability of our communities.

28% increase in new immigrant population

By 2012 the ESL population was the only group making significant progress on NYS exams

In 2011 all funding for the school musical was eliminated from the district budget

By 2014 it became a self supporting community project attended by over 7500 audience members

More than 50% of area children enter Kindergarten not prepared to read or write

A small but groundbreaking study in 1995 showed that a child’s academic success is directly related to the amount of vocabulary the child hears from adults in the first few years of life. Children in higher-income families hear more language than those in lower-income families; this disparity leads to a “word gap” that puts poorer children at a disadvantage when they enter school and it is a gap that follows them through to HS graduation.

Strong communities invest in the well being

of their children

Strong communities know family is important

Strong communities celebrate the achievements of their members

You can't keep every bad thing out anywhere unless most people believe that what we have in common is more important than our … differences. - Bill Clinton, President

Always work to find common ground

Keep thinking about how to say YES

“ You don’t know anything about raising a horse!”

“What if you make a mistake?”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“Nobody will let you keep him on their property.”

“You don’t know if he will turn out to be good or not.”

The struggle might be exactly what you need

And keep working at it … over and overDate Event Activity Attendance

7/9/11 Manorville outreach Mascot costume, library card signup 30-40

7/14/11 Manorville outreach Greenwood Village - presentation 15

8/11 ** National Night Out ** missed due to Building closure plan 0

8/20/11 Blue Claw Crab Fest Cancelled due to hurricane 0

10/23/11 Pattersquash Creek Festival Info. Table and raffle for books 150

10/30/11 Mastic Beach Halloween Parade

Van in parade, book giveaway 75

12/5/11 Christmas Parade Van float, staff marchers, book giveaway 2,000

12/17/11 Wm. Floyd Birthday Host student essays, art show, cake 150

12/10/11 Stuff the Van food drive Collect food donations for local pantry 60-80

3/11/12 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Van float – giant book, won 3rd place 2,500

3/25/12 Rotary Pancake Breakfast Mascot character, kids activities 125

3/31/12 Chamber Egg Hunt Information table, van 300

4/1/12 Manorville Egg Hunt Information table, van 100

4/20-22 Seussical HS Musical FOA support & outreach 1800

5/19/12 Veteran’s health fair Outreach re. adult programs 150

5/19/12 Colonial Youth Craft fair Mascot costume and crafts 30

6/9/12 Tri-Hamlet Day Van, kids crafts, table 175

6/23/12 Perennial Plant exchange Hosted plant giveaway for community 30

I am myself a storyteller, and therefore, an optimist … From my point of view, your life is already a miracle of chance waiting for you to shape its destiny … your life is already artful — waiting, just waiting, for you to make it art.

-- Toni Morrison, Author

Public libraries are about hope

What’s amazing is that Americans really believe in public libraries. That every community should have a place you can go to learn something. To study. To improve your life. To create new possibilities. And that something should be free to everyone. Because the community believes in it and contributes to it. There’s no greater story than that.

Public libraries hold our collective story

The answer -- That you are here. That the powerful play goes on and you will contribute a

verse.- Walt Whitman, LI Poet

Achievements Community directed, not

library prescribed philosophy means grassroots success

Staff interaction & immersion in community is positive thing

Departments can collaborate with guidance

The Library can help build sense of community

What will you contribute?

Tell us about community groupsyou are part of

Volunteer for a work shift at a festival, school night or other community event

What problems do you want to solve?