Thursday, October 1, 2026
One of Woodmere resident Laurie Adler’s favorite aspects of working at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library is creating inclusive programming for patrons of the library — something she’s done as the first outreach librarian for three years.
Adler, a Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns graduate, has been employed at the library since 2011. She spends most days focusing on community partnerships, including the Great Give Back, a statewide initiative through which public libraries engage their communities in meaningful service projects. This year, Hewlett-Woodmere conducted an art supply drive.
Other projects Adler assists with include the library’s annual food drive with Island Harvest, as well as Memory Café, where adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias gather for activities.
“We live in such an outfacing community,” Adler said. “There are so many organizations and venues that help others and becoming involved with that is very [special].”
Adler’s body of work is not new to Hewlett-Woodmere’s librarians. Library Director Michelle Young, who was hired in 2023, said she created the outreach position shortly after starting her role. Young said Adler immediately expressed interest in the role, citing her enjoyment in working with people.
Adler already had extensive experience working with patrons of all ages. She spent time in the children’s department before moving to adult services. Given that Adler was a Five Towns resident, Young said it only added to her value in understanding the community in her new role.
“To be in outreach, you need to be a certain kind of person,” Young said, noting Adler’s kindness and compassion for others. “She’s a pleasure to work with and I really enjoy working with her. We’ve done a lot of initiatives together. “
Over the years, Adler said the Five Towns has kept its “small town” feel while continuing to expand. During that span, she said, she has noticed a shift in how people gathered their information.
In the past, Adler said, people sought information from microfilm and microfiche, a flat sheet of transparent photographic film used to store miniaturized documents. Now, with the emergence of platforms such as AI, streaming services, and emerging technologies allowing patrons to use their library cards on those platforms, it’s as if the library is “in 1960 and 2026 at the same time.”
“I think the nature of information and how we obtain it has changed,” Adler said. “People are depending on now that the world’s gotten smaller, with email and easier with all electronic communication, people are looking for community bases, and the library has become more of a community hub.”
Adler said she often receives feedback from people grateful for the programs the library provides. She noted a person who approached her about a program serving people with disabilities, as well as a letter expressing appreciation for her and the library’s work.
The letter included a simple message: “You make me feel included.”
