Lynbrook High School students bring new energy to public library as pages

Lynbrook High School has stocked Lynbrook Public Library on 56 Eldert St. with a fresh, modern perspective, with three students or alumni working as pages who are responsible for the library’s organization. 

Former students Kerry Cullen, Chloe Brown and Nora Kane’s paths merged at the library, taking on a literary torch within their local library.  

The paid position consists of arranging books on shelves and collecting media from the book drop to keeping the library totally organized for around four hours per shift.  

Kerry Cullen, 19, who graduated in 2024 and is now a rising sophomore at Ithaca College, studying music education, has been working as a page at the library for nearly three years.  

“I alphabetize certain sections that get a little bit wonky here and there, and I also help with events sometimes, if I have free time, which is really fun,” Cullen said.  

Cullen frequented the library from early childhood through her teenage years, so it was a no-brainer for her to apply for the non-civil service position.  

“I begged my grandma to go take (me and my brother) like every night,” Cullen recounted. “I just lived there. People knew my name.” 

Chloe Brown, 18, a recent Lynbrook High School graduate who also works as a page and will attend the College of Charleston in South Carolina in the fall, grew up an avid reader.  

Brown was president of the high school’s book club and emphasized the need for younger people to find the joys of reading. 

“I just think reading’s super important. It’s kind of like a lost art now, because nobody really thinks, ‘Oh, let me pick up a book,’” Brown shared.  

After using the library to fulfill her requirement of volunteer hours, Cullen forged a relationship with the staff that she wanted to strengthen.  

“I just enjoyed the environment working there and the people I worked with, so before I even considered applying, I kind of had a family of people there that I enjoyed talking to,” Cullen explained.  

Over the last three years, Cullen has seen firsthand the importance of public libraries. 

“It’s definitely given me a lot of perspective, because there’s a lot of different people who come in, and to see what everybody’s reading, what everybody’s doing — it’s kind of fun to see how many different people use the library and for different things,” Cullen said.  

Cullen also stressed the availability and accessibility of third spaces such as the library. 

“We don’t have a lot of that in today’s society, so to have a nice air-conditioned place, especially in the heat, that anybody can come into and enjoy for however long is really nice. I think I didn’t really see that before as much as I do now,” Cullen reflected.  

Cullen’s favorite part of the job is interacting with her fellow younger generation, seeing their curiosity and answering their inquiries. “They’re just adorable,” she said.  

Brown, on the other hand, said she values her older co-workers’ insights.  

“It’s super-interesting hearing their stories, especially being one of the youngest … It’s interesting hearing their advice,” Brown shared.  

Cullen said she believes that young people working at the library strengthens the relationship that young patrons have with the institution. 

“I think the younger demographic brings a whole new social aspect to the library that people haven’t really explored before,” Cullen explained. 

For Kathy Buchsbaum, the library’s assistant director, the young pages ensure that the library stays alive.  

“It’s really important, because young people are the future, so we need to keep the young people engaged with the library,” Buchsbaum emphasized. 

Buchsbaum also noted how the slim age difference between the pages and the children using the library helps everyone feel more comfortable. “It brings out the joy in the kids using the library,” she added. 

Buchsbaum has hope for the future of public libraries, thanks to the presence of the library’s young staff.  

“If they have a love of libraries by working in it or using it, I’m hoping they will continue to use a public library so they can foster a love of public librarianship and public libraries throughout their lifetime,” Buchsbaum said.  

Cullen implored readers, audiobook listeners and movie watchers of all ages to continue to support the library. “Nothing is more punk than the public library,” Cullen said.  

“You can make reading fun for yourself,” Brown added.