Annual Message to the Community
In 2024, as usual, we had a lot going on here at the LPL. The Community Yarn Project was a “thread” that ran through the entire year and across all departments, from collecting donated yarn to offering programs for all ages, to displaying fiber arts around our building and finally to donating lap blankets to a local rehab facility. Thanks to all who took part in this library-wide, and community-wide, initiative.
Our staff introduced new programming such as the volunteer-led Repair Café and the eclipse challenge (we distributed 1200 sets of glasses to participants!). We expanded programs in the makerLAB. We added new discount tickets for sale at the Circulation Desk, saving residents money. Thanks to Legislator Caracappa, we were awarded a grant from Suffolk County which supported additional summer music and dance performances. We launched a new platform for mobile printing in the library, and introduced FieroCode, a new online resource for learning coding skills. Our community completed the second iteration of the NexTrex Challenge, taking soft plastic film out of the waste stream, and winning a bench that is now located in Bartlett Pond Park. As always, we continue to enhance our collections: we added lots of new items to our Equipment & Gadgets collection, and our children’s department introduced Toniebox Kits.
Our dedicated library staff has worked throughout the year to offer high-quality, in-demand services, and has made plans to introduce new programs and services in 2025.
A Few Statistics from 2024
- More than 489,000 physical items were checked out or renewed. In addition, eBooks, movies, music and audiobooks were streamed or downloaded more than 187,000 times.
- Computers were used almost 35,000 times, and the library’s wireless network was accessed more than 113,000 times.
- Library staff planned and produced 2117 in-person or virtual programs with 39,645 participants.
- Cardholders utilized our online learning courses more than 21,000 times.
- The library’s convenient mobile app was launched almost 37,000 times during the year.
2025 Plans
The library provides incredible value for the community’s modest investment. Your support of the proposed 2025-2026 budget will allow the library to continue our current excellent level of services and programs, such as:
• The ability to stream and download free eBooks and eAudio from Libby, Hoopla, Freegal and Kanopy
• Free museum passes to more than 40 museums on Long Island and in New York City
• Equipment & Gadgets, our Library of Things collection
• Classes and events for all ages, including concerts and performances in our theatre-style Community Room
• Access to classes and appointments in the makerLAB, our makerspace
• Thousands of books, movies, audiobooks and more, with access to millions of additional titles through our shared county catalog
• Free online homework help including live tutors every day from 2 pm to 11 pm
• Access to public computers with librarians who can provide guidance, as well as one-on-one tech assistance
• A wonderful play area for families with young children, plus the interactive Learn & Play Children’s Garden
In addition, your support will enable the library to introduce and/or expand:
- Coding programs for children and teens
- Programs and collections geared toward new adults (adults aged 18-30s)
- Our first GamerCon event, for all ages
- Programs and displays focused on sustainability
- A new reading challenge for students: 500 Books Before Junior High
Now that we have been in our “new” building for almost ten years, we will also be evaluating our collections and their use as well as their placement in the building. We anticipate relocating some items and freshening up spaces.
Long Range Plan of Service
This plan of service for 2022-2025 was approved by the Board of Trustees in December 2021.
