Huntington Public Library

Huntington Public Library is a public library system serving the residents of the Town of Huntington on Long Island. Chartered by the University of the State of New York in 1914, it has grown from a small collection in a local storefront to a major community institution. The system operates a main building and a branch, offering extensive collections, digital services, and diverse public programming. It is a member of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, facilitating resource sharing across Suffolk County, New York.

History

The library's origins trace to 1914 when it was established by the Huntington Township Historical Society and chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. Its first location was a rented room above a store on Main Street in Huntington village. A significant early benefactor was philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, whose grant of $17,500 in 1923 enabled the construction of a dedicated library building, which opened in 1926. For decades, this Carnegie library served as the system's sole facility. Major expansion occurred in 1971 with the opening of the present main library, a modern facility designed by architect Richard Meier, while the original building was repurposed. The system further expanded with the establishment of the South Huntington branch in 1989 to serve the growing population in the southern part of the town.

Services and collections

The library maintains a physical collection exceeding 300,000 items, including books, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines. It provides access to numerous online databases, digital media platforms like Libby and hoopla digital, and research tools such as Ancestry.com and the New York Times. Specialized collections include local history archives pertaining to the Town of Huntington and the Walt Whitman Collection, honoring the poet who lived in the area. Services include public computer access, Wi-Fi, meeting room rentals, interlibrary loan through the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, and homebound delivery. The library also offers passport acceptance services on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.

Branches and facilities

The system comprises two facilities. The main library, located at 338 Main Street in Huntington village, is a 70,000-square-foot building featuring adult, young adult, and children's departments, a local history room, an auditorium, and the Plaza gallery. The South Huntington Branch, situated at 1450 West Jericho Turnpike near the Walt Whitman Shops, is a 20,000-square-foot facility designed to serve as a community hub for the southern region of the town. Both locations are fully accessible and include dedicated spaces for teen services, children's programming, and public meetings.

Governance and funding

Huntington Public Library is governed by a publicly elected, seven-member Board of Trustees which sets policy, oversees the budget, and appoints the Library Director. Its primary operating revenue comes from an annual tax levy approved by the residents of the Huntington Public Library District, a special district coterminous with the Town of Huntington. Additional funding sources include state aid from New York State, grants from organizations like the New York State Council on the Arts, private donations, and fees for services such as room rentals and passport processing. The annual budget is subject to a public vote.

Community role and outreach

The library functions as a vital community center, offering hundreds of annual programs for all ages, including author talks, adult education classes, technology training, and cultural performances. It hosts major community events like the Huntington Summer Arts Festival and serves as a polling place for local elections. Key outreach initiatives include partnerships with the Huntington School District, senior centers like the Dix Hills Jean H. and H. Lee Koppelman Senior Center, and social service agencies. The library also provides critical services such as adult literacy tutoring in conjunction with Literacy Suffolk and support for job seekers through resume workshops and access to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Category:Libraries in New York (state) Category:Buildings and structures in Huntington, New York Category:1914 establishments in New York (state)