Seaford Library celebrates end of summer fun

The Seaford Public Library was certainly the place to be this summer. For children, teens, adults and seniors, the library offered a wide variety of programs and events that residents said were highly entertaining and informative.

The library celebrated another successful and well-attended outdoor summer entertainment series in 2016. For 16 years, library officials said they’ve been offering concerts as part of “Entertainment for a Saturday Evening.” 

The season kicked off with a bang on June 25, as Just Sixties — a popular classic rock band — performed for residents. Other headliners included Stagecoach, a country group, and Seven Bridges Road, who took that stage at the Seaford Long Island Rail Road station. 

Library leaders also added a new community event to their summer calendar this year: outdoor film screenings. Residents took in films under the stars. 

“We would like to thank our generous community co-sponsors: the Friends of the Library, the Seaford Lions Club, the Seaford Chamber of Commerce and the Seaford Wellness Council,” Library Board President Peter Ruffner said. “A very special thank you is extended to our corporate sponsor the Bethpage Federal Credit Union.” 

No summer at the library is complete without reading, and residents of all ages were able to do just that. 

Nearly 60 adolescents participated in the Teen Summer Reading Club in 2016. Some of the most popular programs of the season were “Baking Coach’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Sandwich,” attended by 18 kids; and “Pizza and Paing Night,” which 17 teens enjoyed. 

This year, 851 children participated in the “On Your Mark, Get Set…READ” Summer Reading Program, which ran for a total of eight weeks. During that period, officials hosted a kick-off event, 23 storytimes, 52 programs for patrons of all ages and one large summer reading celebration. Nearly 250 adults and children attended the culminating festivities, leaders noted. 

Since the theme of the program was centered around sports, children were able to enjot hands-on science programs like, “Science of Sports,” “Beautiful Bones,” “Magnetic Magic” and “On Your Mark Get Set, Shark!”  

Other family-friendly events the library hosted throughout June, July and August included the “Nick the Balloonatic” program, a “Jester Jim” performance, a meet and greet with Ronald McDonald, and the “Singing School Bus Driver” show. In all, more than 3,000 people attended the free programs at the library this season.