Nassau libraries continue to help their neighbors

Libraries remain the hub of their communities, and one way they are serving neighbors is by coordinating efforts to help those in need.

As part of the Great Give Back — a community service program created in Suffolk County and now offered throughout the state — many Nassau County libraries are helping their communities by initiating service projects throughout October.

The program started in 2017, when the Suffolk County Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Cooperative Library System sought a way to help communities. The program soon spread throughout the state, and last year, 299 New York libraries participated and more than 27,000 items were collected and donated.

“A few colleagues and myself wanted to create an event in Suffolk County that brought positivity to our communities and showed that libraries are a central hub for giving back and creating good,” Derek Ivie, youth services coordinator of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, said.

Nassau libraries have offered hundreds of service-oriented projects, including food and pet supply drives and cleanups of parks, according to Renee McGrath, manager of youth services for the Nassau Library System.

“The Great Give Back enables our member libraries to offer their patrons an opportunity to participate in a day of service-oriented projects,” McGrath said.

This year’s event will take place on Oct. 21, but many libraries are offering projects throughout the month. Dozens of Nassau facilities are participating, including Elmont, Franklin Square, West Hempstead, Malverne and Lynbrook.

For each local library, giving back means something different, which adds to the effectiveness of the countywide program.

In Elmont, children in fifth grade and younger can color a sheet to put a smile on someone’s face on Oct. 21, from noon to 2 p.m., at the library. After they color, the kids can include their first name and age on their drawing sheet. The drawings will be mailed out from the library back to the nonprofit organization Color A Smile.

“It’s something for the children, just to make them aware of other people that are in need,” said Rosemarie Birofka, head of the children’s department at the library. “And just spending some time working on a project that they know is going to maybe make somebody feel good about themselves or put a smile on their face.”

After it receives the drawings, Color A Smile will decide whether they go to senior citizens, troops overseas or anyone else who might be in need of a smile. No registration is required for the event.

In Franklin Square, the library is collecting food for the Long Island Cares Food Bank throughout the month. The library has already made a donation of 180 pounds of food collected from the community for this initiative, library Director Aviva Kane said.

To help sponsor two animal ambassadors from the Wildlife Center of Long Island, the Franklin Square library is collecting monetary donations. This will help supply food, medical care and habitat improvements for two diamondback terrapins, Jade and Jasper.

Teens can earn community service credit in Franklin Square by creating Halloween-themed toys for the Patricia H. Ladew Foundation. Kane said the Franklin Square community is “large hearted” when it comes to giving back.

“They just have the giving spirit,” she said. “And it starts with the small groups, and it goes all the way up to the larger organizations like Long Island Cares.”

In Malverne, the library is collecting items for care packages to send to deployed troops, veterans, wounded heroes and first responders through Operation Gratitude. The library is encouraging children to make cards to show appreciation.

“Kids are going to make cards to show gratitude to those who served or are currently serving,” Carol Lagos, director of the Malverne Public Library, said.

Malverne is collecting puzzle books, card games and other new items in their original packaging. Donations can be dropped off during library hours, from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3. Donation boxes have been set up in the front lobby. Lagos said that community service hours will be awarded to those who participate.

In Lynbrook, neighbors can donate Halloween costumes and books to help those in need. Library Director Robyn Gilloon said the idea was to help children enjoy an American tradition.

“When a parent says, ‘If it weren’t for this, my kid wouldn’t have a Halloween costume,’ that’s when you realize this is the right thing to do,” Gilloon said. “This is a great giveback for the community.”

Lynbrook will collect Halloween costumes and books for children throughout the month. The library’s website has a detailed list of the days on which items can be donated. Anyone who needs a Halloween costume or book can simply stop by the library.

The West Hempstead Public Library is hosting the Town of Hempstead’s Mobile Adoption Unit on Oct. 21, from noon to 3 p.m. Neighbors can see some cute and cuddly animals up for adoption, and learn more about the town’s programs.

“We wanted to try something different,” Cindy Hosang, head of programming for the West Hempstead library, said. “People can adopt or talk to someone about other adopts the town has. The town will be here with a whole bunch of information.”

Hosang said that adoption literature would be available at the library after the event, for anyone who wants to find out more but is unable to attend the event.