Community Fights To Save Suddenly Fired Children's Librarian

MATTITUCK, NY — A stunned North Fork community is coming together to save the job of a beloved children's librarian who was reportedly fired without warning after almost 20 years.

According to a change.org petition created by the librarian's daughter Brittany Letteriello, "Support the Reinstatement of Karen Letteriello," which has garnered 407 signatures so far out of a goal of 500: "Children's Librarian Karen Letteriello is asking your support to have her reinstated as department head at the Mattituck Laurel Library. She has been employed there for just shy of 20 years and let go without reason. Karen has never received a negative evaluation throughout her time at the Mattituck Laurel Library."

The petition continues: "She loved going to work every day and enjoyed making a difference in the lives of families. Karen has brought forward-thinking technology and programs to the Mattituck Laurel Library for all ages of patrons and has received numerous donations to help improve what the library has to offer. She has always been invited to various school and community events as a representative of the library. The library and surrounding community will surely feel the impact of her absence. "

A meeting of the Library's Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Mattituck- Laurel Library and many community members have voiced, on social media, their plans to attend and speak out on what they deem an injustice.

In an interview with Patch, Letteriello said she was "fired by the library director, Jeff Walden, on Friday, Aug. 16. I am overwhelmed by the community support — and all of the kind words have really helped to reassure that what I did as a librarian made a difference in so many lives. I hope to be reinstated as well as to have more answers about the situation soon."

Letteriello also asked that the community attend Thursday's board meeting in support and thanked the many who have rallied behind her. "What a wonderful community we live in," she said.

When asked for comment, Walden told Patch that the issue is a "private, personnel matter and not something I can comment on."

Friends and neighbors are outraged and a staffer at the library reportedly said all of Letteriello's colleagues are blindsided and upset by the dismissal.

"I need help from my North Fork friends," resident and friend Susan Tyler wrote on Facebook."With no notice and no explanation whatsoever, Karen was fired. She has not had one negative word said or unfavorable evaluation in her 20 years at the library. Karen is one of the loveliest women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. She would bend over backward to help anyone, especially at work and when it comes to the children. I can't even fathom what possessed them."

She added: "To say this is a huge loss to the library and the community is an understatement of epic proportions. Karen deserves nothing less than to be reinstated immediately and offered a massive apology. At the absolute very least, Karen deserves an explanation and a chance to be heard."

Tyler asked that all sign the petition to support Letteriello, "and more importantly, please come out in droves" to the meeting Thursday.

To sign the petition, click here.