The Hambones pay tribute to singer-songwriter Bob Dylan at North Bellmore library

Giving back to the community, and listening to the great tunes, seems to be the theme of the summer at the North Bellmore Public Library. On Thursday evenings, library patrons from Bellmore, Merrick and beyond can be sure to find a slew of musical talents, each with something a little different to offer.

On the last Thursday of July, the library welcomed The Hambones. According to the group’s website, TheHambones.com, the Hambones were formed 12 years ago, and its four members have 140 years of combined musical experience.

The versatile band has an expansive song list of more than 200 tunes, including classic rock hits by the Grateful Dead, Elvis and Tom Petty, country songs by Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney, and folk hits by Bob Dylan and Glen Campbell, among many others.

And on July 27, the night was all about Bob Dylan. Regarded as one of the greatest American songwriters, Dylan’s career kicked off in the 1960s. Some of his most popular songs include “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Chagin.”

The audience consisted of fans young and old, who gathered on the library’s lawn to listen to the music.

The library is also running a summer-long food drive as part of the concert series. Nonperishable food items are being donated to the Nassau County Veterans Food Pantry in East Meadow, better known as the Vet Mart. The donations efforts are in partnership with the Levittown American Legion Post 1711.

Post 1711 collects food on the third Saturday of every month, rain or shine, at its headquarters at 3123 N. Jerusalem Road in Levittown. If you can’t make a concert, stop by anytime until 1 p.m.

For more information on upcoming events and the library’s efforts, visit NorthBellmoreLibrary.org. The Veteran Food Pantry is located at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, Building Q, in East Meadow. Its open weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon.