After much anticipation and waiting, the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library is proud to announce that we are now open at our Main Branch! We are located at 407 William Floyd Pkwy Shirley, NY 11967 next to King Kullen.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was on Saturday, November 23rd, where patrons and staff entered the building for the first time since we closed for renovation. Although the building’s footprint is the same, our state of the art building looks very different, with new facilities and spaces to enjoy.
For example, now our Literacy Department has their very own space to better serve our patrons and community members. The Literacy Department can be found downstairs, with their own collection and computers.
Near the Literacy Department, you will find our Makerspace Lab! Full of fun equipment for community members of all ages to enjoy. We have 3d printers, a sublimation printer, embroidery-sewing machines, our Cricut machine and supplementary gadgets, and more. There will be more items to come, including our Laser Engraver which should be installed very soon. Keep an eye on our monthly newsletter for Makerspace Technology programs we will offering.
Down in the basement area, along with the Literacy Department and the Makerspace Lab, you will find our Teen Department. If your teen is looking for something fun to do after school, the library is only about a 10 minute walk away. Send them over here, where they will find comfortable and fun furniture, computers, and a retro Pac-Man machine, and more. For programs and events for Teens, check our library calendar and newsletter.
Meanwhile, upstairs the Children’s and Parents’ Services Department celebrated its Grand Opening in style! Families with young children enjoyed exploring our brand-new, enhanced playspace, while older kids had fun at our 12 computer stations and discovered the exciting STEAM Zone, which includes maker kits, board games, and a large interactive touchscreen whiteboard.
Visitors also got a look at our new program rooms, where engaging activities were set up and where future programs will take place. Each child received a free Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library cup, bag, and free book to take home and enjoy! To top it off, families browsed our impressive book collection and checked out plenty of great items.
Our Adult Reference Department can be found in it’s original spot. Upon entering, you will be greeted by a beautiful fireplace, a warm spot to read a book or a newspaper. It is a quiet, bright, and inviting atmosphere. Behind the Adult Reference Department you will find the Brewport Cafe, which is coming soon and currently hiring to staff the space.
Our Customer Resource Services Department was busy this weekend; we issued 67 new cards, replaced 46 cards that were lost or damaged. A total of 926 people used and/or renewed their cards, and we had 792 items checked out just at the Main Library! On Saturday 2,063 people came in through the gates, and Sunday we had 382 people enter through the gates.
We appreciate your patience during this process to get where we are today. We can’t wait to see everyone return soon to enjoy our new spaces and offerings!