For the second year in a row the Levittown Public Library is proud to participate in the Great Give Back. This initiative, which began in Suffolk County, unites over 160 libraries throughout New York State by offering a day of public service experiences. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19, 2019. The list of participating libraries is available online. If you would like to support the LPL’s projects, please take a look at our September/October 2019 newsletter.
Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” When our community comes together, we have the power to re-imagine and recreate the world, or at least our small part of it. The Great Give Back is a chance to do this on a larger scale. The other good news is that each of our departments is working with a different organization; you can “give back” in so many different ways and for many different causes! Consider stopping by for one or more of the following:
- Attention pet lovers: all paws on deck! The Children’s Department is asking young crafters to stop by between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. to create eye-catching “adopt me” signs for a local animal shelter. The Children’s Department is also collecting clean, “lonely” socks (you know, the ones with no match–as the joke goes, they usually reappear as extra Tupperware lids). Your forgotten socks will be saved for a future pet toy donation program. Sock donations will be accepted from October 12, 2019 through October 19, 2019 in the Children’s Room. Teens may register online to make a no-sew fleece blanket from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. The blankets will cozy up the homes of cats and dogs living in a shelter. Lastly, the Circulation Department is collecting new products for Last Hope Animal Rescue. Donations will be accepted at the Circulation Desk from October 12, 2019 through October 19, 2019. Suggested donations include: beds, bowls, cleaning supplies, collars, leashes, towels, toys, and wet or dry cat food.
- All ages can support our troops. The Children’s Room will provide supplies to make cards for veterans between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. In addition, Levittown’s teens are likely already familiar with Troopon Club, a regular program in the Teen Lounge. Teens cut out, sort, and total manufacturer’s coupons to be sent to military families. Troopon Club will meet for the Great Give Back from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration has already begun; contact the Young Adult Department for more information.
- No matter our differences as a community or even as a country, we can all agree that keeping our children safe and healthy is a priority. The Levittown Public Library as a whole will be participating in a Toys for Tots collection drive from October 19, 2019 through December 6, 2019. Unopened toys can be dropped off at any of our public service desks and will be distributed to children in need. The Media Department, located on our lower level, is asking for donations of empty inkjet and laser printer cartridges to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides housing for families of seriously ill or injured children. Cartridges will be accepted from October 12, 2019 through October 19, 2019.
- Creativity is a powerful outlet, especially for those living with physical or developmental disabilities. In cooperation with The Long Island Center for Independent Living, the Adult Department is collecting art supplies to empower people with disabilities to learn how to creatively express themselves at the Robert Mauro Art Studio located inside the Center. Suggested donations include: drawing paper, canvases, and watercolor paints. Donations can be dropped off in the Library Exhibit Area (near the Circulation Desk and easily accessible via our Library Lane entrance) from October 12, 2019 through October 19, 2019. Their artwork (which you helped to facilitate through your donations!) will be on display in the Library Exhibit Area throughout November.
- Although New York is experiencing a brief heatwave as I write this on October 2nd (nearly 90 degrees!), we are inching closer and closer to the winter, a dangerous time for our community’s homeless population. The Reference Department is asking for donations of travel size toiletries for the Mary Brennan INN, a not-for-profit organization that provides the largest soup kitchen on Long Island, emergency shelters, long-term housing, and more. Drop off your donations any time at the Reference Desk from October 12, 2019 through October 19, 2019. Suggested donations include: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, hair brushes and combs, mouthwash, shampoo and conditioner, soap, lip balm, tissues, new washcloths and hand towels, and new socks.
- The simple act of a handwritten card or a lovingly drawn doodle can brighten someone’s day more than we realize. The Children’s and Young Adult Departments invite children and teens to create cards for veterans, homebound patrons, our troops, and/or anyone in need of a smile. Children can stop by the Children’s Room between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Teens are welcome to visit the Teen Lounge to create their cards, or “Color a Smile” as the program is fittingly titled, between 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Public libraries and public service go hand-in-hand. We are always eager to mobilize our resources and support causes that better our community and our nation.
In looking for a quippy quote to end this post, I discovered the following from author Robert Louis Stevenson: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” I know that by planting kindness and generosity in this world, something beautiful will grow. We hope to see you here on October 19th, as you help us create beauty in our small corner of the world.
Happy Reading,
Jess
