ABOUT | Comsewogue Public Library

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Comsewogue Public Library
170 Terryville Road
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776

Telephone
Voice: (631) 928-1212
Fax: (631) 928-6307

Email
Adult Services: aref@cplib.org
Children’s and Teen’s Services: jref@cplib.org
Comsewogue Administration: administration@cplib.org
Technical Support: tech@cplib.org
Circulation (questions about overdue materials, library cards, etc.): circ@cplib.org

Ask A Librarian
Ask Adult Services
Ask Children’s and Teen’s Services

Library Hours
Monday: 9:30 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm (Oct. 1, 2023 to May 19, 2024)

Holiday Closings
Sunday, January 1, New Year’s Day
Monday, January 2, New Year’s Day (Observed)
Monday, January 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 20, Presidents’ Day
Sunday, April 9, Easter
Sunday, May 14, Mother’s Day
Monday, May 29, Memorial Day
Monday, June 19, Juneteenth
Tuesday, July 4, Independence Day
Monday, September 4, Labor Day
Monday, October 9, Columbus Day
Saturday, November 11, Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 22, Thanksgiving Eve (5 PM closing)
Thursday, November 23, Thanksgiving
Sunday, December 24, Christmas Eve
Monday, December 25, Christmas Day
Sunday, December 31, New Year’s Eve

Directions to the Library
The Comsewogue Public Library is located approximately one mile south of Port Jefferson Harbor, at 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776.

Long Island Expressway: Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 62 North (Nicolls Road, Route 97). Travel North on Nicolls Road to Nesconset Highway (Route 347), turn right. Travel East on Nesconset Highway to Terryville Rd., turn left. The Comsewogue Public Library is approximately 1/4 mile down, on the left side.

Northern State Parkway: Take the Northern State Parkway East to the end (it merges with Veterans Memorial Highway – Route 454, and Nesconset Highway – Route 347). Pass the State and County Office Buildings, bear left at the fork following Nesconset Highway to Terryville Road, turn left. The Comsewogue Public Library is approximately 1/4 mile down, on the left side.

Administration

Library Director: Debra L. Engelhardt – (631) 928-1212, ext. 112 – debbie@cplib.org
Assistant Library Director: Andrea Malchiodi – (631) 928-1212, ext. 122 – amalchiodi@cplib.org

A senior management team, comprised of specialists in a variety of areas, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Technical Services, Circulation Services, Adult Services and Youth Services, provide expertise in their respective fields.

Board of Trustees
The Comsewogue Public Library Board of Trustees meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm. Please call the Administrative Office at (631) 928-1212, ext. 112 to verify.

President: Christopher McCrary
Vice President: John Rossini
Secretary: Kevin Spence
Fiscal Officer: Lisa Olson
Trustee: Corinne DeStefano
View Trustee Biographies

Contact Library Director Debra L. Engelhardt at (631) 928-1212, ext. 112 or debbie@cplib.org for information on trustee recruitment/candidacy/election and/or see linked documents below.
Correspondence for the Board of Trustees may be addressed to: Christopher McCrary, President, Board of Trustees, Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 or admin@cplib.org.
In accordance with NYS Law, the Library contracts for the services of an outside treasurer and also engages an independent auditor to perform an annual financial audit.

Primary Resources
Trustee Duties and Responsibilities
Statement on the Governance Role of a Trustee or Board Member

Comsewogue Public Library Documents
By Laws
Code of Ethics
How to Become a Library Board Trustee
Trustee Education Policy
Trustee Recruitment Statement

Meeting Agendas & Board Documents

2023

2022

2021

Meeting Minutes

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Comsewogue Public Library: Where Many Paths Meet
The meaning behind our library slogan comes from a loose translation of the Native American word “Cumsewogue,” which is said to be “the place where many paths meet.”

Timeline of Events

1966	Library (District) created by Comsewogue School District voters
March 1, 1967	Library, operating from a portable classroom on the property of the former Comsewogue Elementary School, opens its doors to community residents
November 1967	Library District voters approve construction of permanent library building
September 26, 1969	Library chartered by New York State Board of Regents/New York State Education Department
November 1969	Permanent library building construction completed
November 22, 1993	Library District residents vote to approve a construction project to renovate and expand the Library to over 44,000 square feet. Project funded with a 30-year bond financed through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
1999	Expansion completed
2002	Richard Lusak, the Library’s Founding Director, retires
2012	Brandon Pantorno, Mr. Lusak’s successor, retires

Employment Application
Application for part-time employment

Employee Recruitment Statement

Open Positions

Part-Time Custodian: Responsible for cleaning and maintenance in the building. Custodial duties include, but are not limited to; sweeping, dusting, cleaning glass, mopping floors, polishing wood, taking out trash, setting up and breaking down tables and chairs, moving boxes, and making minor repairs. A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Part-Time Guard: Guard duties include, but are not limited to; providing protection for the Library, maintaining order by enforcing the rules and regulations, and submitting detailed reports. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Applicants must also be registered as a guard with the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services and maintain this license throughout employment.

Sustainability Initiatives
The Comsewogue Public Library Board and staff are committed to reducing the Library’s impact on the environment, modeling green practices for our community, and committing to continuous improvement.

Plastic Bag & Film Recycling
Will you take the NexTrex Recycling Challenge with us? In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic going into our landfills we’re collecting plastic bags and film until March 31, 2024. Drop off your recyclables in the NexTrex recycling container in our lobby. If we collect 500 pounds we can win a Trex bench made from recycled plastic!

When in doubt throw it out. All plastic must be completely clean, dry, and eligible for recycling by NexTrex. Dirty or non-recyclable items will contaminate everything in the container.

Please Recycle:

Bags with recycling numbers 2 and 4
Grocery bags
Produce bags
Ice bags
Cereal box liners
Bread bags
Plastic shipping bags
Bubble wrap and air pillows
Ziploc and other resealable bags (with and without zippers)
Newspaper sleeves
Film/overwrap (examples: thin plastic over a case of water bottles or paper towels)
Dry cleaning bags

Please Do NOT Recycle:

Paper shipping bags or paper bubble mailers
Salad bags
Frozen food bags
Hard plastics
Individual food wrappers (example: string cheese)
Saran/cling wrap
Cellophane
Twist ties and plastic ties used on food bags
Trex decking scraps

Click here for more information about what NexTrex can and can not recycle.

Green Business Partnership
In October 2020, Comsewogue Public Library achieved certification through the Green Business Partnership. Some accomplishments include: installing a “cool roof,” replacing an outdated HVAC system with energy efficient units, and installing an Energy Star hot water heater. Additionally, the Library has made it easier for its community and staff to recycle paper, metal cans, glass, and plastic on Library property. The Library has also begun converting older lighting units to fixtures that take LED bulbs. The Library aims to continually reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and water use.

Sustainable Libraries Initiative
In January 2022, the Library was designated a “Sustainable Library” by the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) through the New York Library Association. The SLI provides libraries with a step-by-step process to implement sustainable decisions that are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible. Through participation in the program, the Library has strengthened existing community partnerships such as food collections and distributions with Long Island Cares, and created new ones, including collaborating with General Needs, a local nonprofit that serves Long Island veterans and their families. We have also reviewed and updated several policies to reflect sustainable goals. For example, our Library’s Collection Development Policy has been updated to incorporate community input, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We aim to continue to create partnerships, policies, and procedures which make our community resilient and strong.

For further information on our certification, please read a press release from the Sustainable Libraries Initiative or view a presentation created by the Library’s Green Team which highlights some accomplishments.