New Little Free Library Unveiled In Mastic

MASTIC, NY — Just in time for summer reading, a brand new Little Free Library was unveiled in Mastic earlier this month.

The new library, located at the Suffolk Transit bus stop on Herkimer Street near the Mastic Recreation Center, made its debut on Aug. 7, as Suffolk County Legislator Rudy Sunderman joined with residents to take a look at the handmade kiosk, filled with books for borrowing.

The library is open to all.

“I encourage everyone to visit this Little Free Library to take a book and leave a book," Sunderman said.

Local Mastic resident Josmary Vergara conceived of the concept as part of a community service project for her class at Long Island University Post, with material and construction donated by Frank Dammeyer of Dammeyer Construction, Inc. in Center Moriches, Sunderman said.

The goal was to give bus riders an opportunity to take and leave books, and give them a source of entertainment, enlightenment, and relaxation on their journey.

The Little Free Library was designed to look like a lighthouse to reflect its waterfront community; in a happy twist, the unveiling took place on National Lighthouse Day.

“This library is a great addition to our community and will provide everyone an opportunity to share and enjoy books. Thank you to Josmary Vergara and Frank Dammeyer for turning this dream into a reality," Sunderman said.

The Little Free Library is the newest addition to a network of similar structures throughout Suffolk County, where millions of books are exchanged each year, providing invaluable access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds.

At the unveiling ceremony, Sunderman was joined by Vergara and her family, Dammeyer, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, and Marilyn Tucci of the Suffolk County Independent Living Organization.

“Having the lighthouse library at the bus stop enables people to pass the time while waiting for the bus. It’s also good for when parents are waiting there with their children so the parent can read to their child," Tucci said.

Patch photo courtesy Leg. Rudy Sunderman.