Shelter Island Library’s Top Donors Honored

On Saturday, the Board of Trustees of the and Suffolk County legislator Edward Romaine were on hand at the library to honor the library's leadership circle, which represents donors who have contributed $500 or more to the library's 125th anniversary fund.

The fund, created in 2009, was set up to raise money to renovate the lower level of the library building, located at 37 North Ferry Road.

To date, Leadership Circle members have donated nearly $50,000 toward the library's goal of $575,000, which will cover costs associated with refitting the entire lower level to accommodate additional programming space, quiet study space, shelving and a possible gallery area. In addition to money already raised, the library has received pledges of $90,000, which will be paid when the halfway mark to the goal is reached.

At the event, Mr. Romaine presented the library and members of its Leadership Circle with a proclamation declaring the day, "Leadership Circle Day." He complimented the Shelter Island Public Library for being part of the "American dream," offering "opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning" to the entire community of Shelter Island since 1886.

"Our library plays a vital role in providing educational, enriching and enlightening materials and services to every single member of this community," said library director, Denise DiPaolo. "The generosity of the Leadership Circle members will enable us to move forward with updating our facility so all Shelter Islanders can exercise their right to having access to the best public library services possible."