West Babylon Student’s Design To Represent Library Group For Decades

WEST BABYLON, NY — After the Friends of the West Babylon Library hosted a logo design contest to modernize their long-standing branding, which had not been updated in over 15 years, a new student-created logo will now represent the organization for years to come.

The Friends group, a nonprofit that supports the West Babylon Public Library through fundraising, scholarships, and programming, launched a logo design contest to engage local students while refreshing its branding.

“We were just taking a look at some of our bylaws and logo, and we realized that the logo hadn’t been updated in many years,” the group’s secretary, Patty Neville, said to Patch. “So we thought it was time for something more contemporary.”

The process resulted in four finalists: Allyson Powers, Kara Peretti, Natalie Machtel, and Remi Bova. During a ceremony at the library on April 30, Powers was named the first-place winner, earning a $100 prize and the distinction of having her design adopted as the organization’s official logo. Peretti received second place and a $50 prize, while Machtel and Bova were recognized as semifinalists.

Friends President Michael Lollo said the idea came together organically during a conversation among board members and turned into a full community initiative, with support from the library and its youth services team.

“We were literally just a group of us talking about our logo, which is a little bit dated, and I just kind of threw it out there—wouldn’t it be cool if we had a logo contest and someone could create a new logo for us,” Lollo said. “It was always about the youth, trying to engage young people and get them involved in the library and the community, and I honestly think it succeeded, which was kind of awesome.”

In partnership with library staff and the West Babylon School District, the contest invited teens to submit original designs that represent the mission and future of the Friends organization. The contest was led in part by Youth Services Coordinator Carisse Mitchell, who helped promote the contest through schools, social media, and in-library programming.

“When we launched this logo design contest, we knew we had creative teens, but the response exceeded every expectation,” Mitchell said. “What we saw wasn’t just talent—it was imagination, effort, and a real sense of pride in this library and community. This isn’t just about a logo. It’s about giving young people a voice, a platform, and the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a place that belongs to them.”

After entries were collected, the community was invited to vote, narrowing the field to four finalists, before the Friends board selected the winner.

“So it was really a whole community-based effort,” Mitchell said. “Having the voting contest lets the community feel like they’re part of the library, which they should be—it is their library.”

The contest was also an opportunity for students to connect with their community in a meaningful way.

“Teens are so creative, and I feel like they don’t get recognized enough for the work they do,” Mitchell said. “To actually make something and then have it recognized by your community is huge. Imagine being 14 or 15 years old and knowing that your work is going to represent your community—it’s a big deal.”

The winning design will now serve as the “face” of the Friends of the Library, appearing on social media and official communications. With a new logo now in place—designed by one of its own young residents—the Friends of the West Babylon Library is moving forward with a refreshed identity.

“The group’s been around since the ’80s, and no one’s changed the logo,” Lollo said. “So this could be around for another 40 or 50 years.”