The document outlines the mission and community outreach efforts of the Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library, emphasizing its commitment to providing services beyond traditional library offerings. It highlights various community events and partnerships aimed at fostering local engagement and addressing issues like educational disparities among children. The library positions itself as a vital resource for community development and support, advocating for collective initiatives that strengthen bonds within the community.

1. Tara D’Amato, Assistant Library Director
Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library –
www.communitylibrary.org

2. public service
noun: the business of supplying something (such
as electricity or transportation) to the members of
a community
- something that is done to help people rather than
to make a profit
- work that someone does as part of a government
the work done by public servants

3. Community Outreach & Involvement
We committed to bring
programs and services
way beyond books
Out into the community
long before other libraries even
considered the concept

4. 80% of success is showing up
At the Beach
- Woody Allen, director

5. Showing up at Veteran’s events

6. Showing up at
summer and fall
outdoor festivals

7. Showing up parades

8. Throwing a huge birthday party
for a 275 year old man

9. BUT WHY ???
“… because that’s where the
money is”. – Willy Sutton

10. We keep reaching out because
- Not everybody can get to the library
- It shows we are willing to make a great effort
- It shows we respect what other groups are trying to accomplish
- It shows us the diversity in our community
- Outside activities get families interacting in positive ways
- We are part of an evolving community, not just a place

11. NY Rising Reconstruction CommitteeRotary Club of Shirley & Mastics
Leaders also lead outside the library …

13. Our charter from the New York State Education Department. We have unique
credentials to educate our community. We are a legitimate and trusted entity.

14. Beyond the obvious, we can
 Share administrative support
 Secure grant funding
 Teach technology
 Research in depth
 Document and preserve
 Share meeting space & resources
 Magnify efforts of other agencies

15. Library Link Database

16. Unique resources

17. Disaster Support

18. School Outreach
 Attended regular District Wide PTO meetings
 Man tables at Kindergarten Orientation & Parent Teacher
nights. Library card signup.
 Staff present at August New Teacher Orientation & Parents
University
 Shared committee work with schools – culminating in William
Floyd Birthday Project

19. Technical Support

20. What Problem can you Solve?
“Speakers are always telling you to find your passion. This is
the biggest load of crap old people have ever foisted on the
young … Think about what life wants from you. If you're
observant, some large problem will plop itself in front of you.
It will define your mission and your calling. Your passion won't
come from inside, it will come from outside.”
-- David Brooks, NY Times Columnist

21. 40% of area
children qualify
for Federal aid for
school meals

22. The Tri Hamlet Renaissance Project determined that revitalizing
downtown Mastic Beach is key to improving the public image and
economic viability of our communities.

23. 28% increase in new immigrant population
By 2012 the ESL
population was
the only group
making
significant
progress on NYS
exams

24. In 2011 all funding for the school musical
was eliminated from the district budget
By 2014 it became a self supporting community project attended by over 7500 audience members

25. More than 50% of area children enter
Kindergarten not prepared to read or write
A small but groundbreaking study in 1995 showed that a child’s academic
success is directly related to the amount of vocabulary the child hears from
adults in the first few years of life. Children in higher-income families hear more
language than those in lower-income families; this disparity leads to a “word
gap” that puts poorer children at a disadvantage when they enter school and it is
a gap that follows them through to HS graduation.

26. Strong communities
invest in the well being
of their children

27. Strong communities know
family is important

28. Strong communities
celebrate the
achievements of their
members

29. You can't keep every bad thing out anywhere unless most people
believe that what we have in common is more important than
our … differences. - Bill Clinton, President
Always work to find common ground

30. Keep thinking about how to say YES
“ You don’t know anything
about raising a horse!”
“What if you make a
mistake?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“Nobody will let you keep
him on their property.”
“You don’t know if he will
turn out to be good or not.”

31. The struggle might be exactly what you need

32. And keep working at it … over and over
Date Event Activity Attendance
7/9/11 Manorville outreach Mascot costume, library card signup 30-40
7/14/11 Manorville outreach Greenwood Village - presentation 15
8/11 ** National Night Out ** missed due to Building closure plan 0
8/20/11 Blue Claw Crab Fest Cancelled due to hurricane 0
10/23/11 Pattersquash Creek Festival Info. Table and raffle for books 150
10/30/11 Mastic Beach Halloween
Parade
Van in parade, book giveaway 75
12/5/11 Christmas Parade Van float, staff marchers, book giveaway 2,000
12/17/11 Wm. Floyd Birthday Host student essays, art show, cake 150
12/10/11 Stuff the Van food drive Collect food donations for local pantry 60-80
3/11/12 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Van float – giant book, won 3rd place 2,500
3/25/12 Rotary Pancake Breakfast Mascot character, kids activities 125
3/31/12 Chamber Egg Hunt Information table, van 300
4/1/12 Manorville Egg Hunt Information table, van 100
4/20-22 Seussical HS Musical FOA support & outreach 1800
5/19/12 Veteran’s health fair Outreach re. adult programs 150
5/19/12 Colonial Youth Craft fair Mascot costume and crafts 30
6/9/12 Tri-Hamlet Day Van, kids crafts, table 175
6/23/12 Perennial Plant exchange Hosted plant giveaway for community 30

33. I am myself a storyteller, and
therefore, an optimist … From my
point of view, your life is already a
miracle of chance waiting for you
to shape its destiny … your life is
already artful — waiting, just
waiting, for you to make it art.
-- Toni Morrison, Author
Public libraries are about hope

34. What’s amazing is that
Americans really believe in
public libraries. That every
community should have a
place you can go to learn
something. To study. To
improve your life. To create
new possibilities. And that
something should be free to
everyone. Because the
community believes in it and
contributes to it. There’s no
greater story than that.
Public libraries hold our collective story

35. The answer -- That you are here. That the
powerful play goes on and you will contribute a
verse.
- Walt Whitman, LI Poet

36. Achievements
 Community directed, not
library prescribed philosophy
means grassroots success
 Staff interaction &
immersion in community is
positive thing
 Departments can collaborate
with guidance
 The Library can help build
sense of community
What will you
contribute?
 Tell us about
community groups
you are part of
 Volunteer for a work
shift at a festival,
school night or other
community event
 What problems do
you want to solve?