New year, same services at the library

Although community members recently changed their calendars, one thing will remain the same in East Meadow in the new year: the library staff will offer a plethora of programs to patrons of all ages.

The mission of the East Meadow Public Library, situated at 1886 Front St., is to provide services and resources that “will enrich and enlighten all segments of the community.” While children’s programs are popular year-round, Marcia Blackman, the head of the Readers Services Department, noted that the library has and will continue to host many events for adults.

Blackman explained that, as the days get shorter and the temperatures plummet during the winter, community members might feel like simply “hunkering in.” But by going to a book talk or attending a workshop at the library, she said they can continue to meet and interact with new people without traveling far in possibly icy or snowy conditions.

“We’ve had people make connections and friendships, and people tell us it’s been very meaningful to them…it gives them a sense of community,” she said. “It’s nice to have something close by in the winter especially, and there is so much to do here. You can walk in at any time of the day here and there’s something going on — and it’s all free.”

This winter, the library will sponsor several reading clubs and book talks for adults, including ones held in the evening hours, so community members who work during the day would be able to attend. Blackman said they’re offering patrons the chance to meet and speak with authors.

The first opportunity will come at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, when the luncheon book program hosts Marc Peyser and Timothy Dwyer. The authors will discuss “Hissing Cousins,” their critically-acclaimed double biography of first cousins Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth.