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Community Corner

Bayport-Blue Point Library Celebrates a "Very Literary Community"

Summer readers recently enjoyed a luncheon at Bayport-Blue Point Library to celebrate the conclusion of this year's Adult Summer Reading Club.

Members of Bayport-Blue Point Library's Adult Summer Reading club who turned in at least a trio of book reviews were recently rewarded for their summer reading efforts with a complimentary gourmet luncheon made possible by The Friends of the Library.

This laid-back literary club, organized by the library's assistant director Jocelyn Mcintee, is in its fourth successful year. Co-chaired by Mcintee and staff member Marcia Lawlor, the luncheon was catered by Furci Fine Foods And Catering in Bayport.  "We like to do something nice for the patrons, to give back for their support," said Mcintee.

This season, a total of 239 people joined the group, and 639 reviews were compiled.  About 70 attendees came to Saturday's event. This was the biggest turnout yet, with four extra tables needed.

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John O'Hare, library director said, "I think this is the largest summer reading group in the country; most groups have about 25 members—this is a very literary community."

Mcintee attributes the program's large and enthusiastic response in part to the epicurean luncheon.   "We don't know any other library that does that, " she said, "Also, we're very casual, you can read whatever you want; a lot of libraries have reading lists.  The only stipulation is that it has to be available through the library—any library."

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The library's Adult Summer Reading Club Bingo began with patrons receiving a start-up package, including a booklet with a BINGO score card; for each book read, no more than one per week, reviews were accepted.  Prizes for Submissions— at intervals of three, six and eight completed— were distributed.  

For each book they critiqued, club members could enter a raffle ticket to be eligible to win the coveted gift basket —stocked with movies, best-seller books and snacks—that had been on display at the circulation desk.  Reviews were compiled into a book, exclusive to Adult Summer Reading Club members.

The raffle drawing was held at the culmination of the high-spirited lunch, with the lucky winner being Ann Warhaftig.  Gift cards to Borders Books & Music were presented at the gathering to those 37 avid readers who had each contributed eight reviews.

Participant, Marlene Brennan said that the luncheon is one of the best ways to catch up with people and make new friends. "It's very interactive.  The community loves to talk about books, and you get to walk away with this (review) book that gives you recommendations," she said, "It may not be the biggest library, but we have an awful lot of activity, we have a lot of life in here."

The books reviewed were an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction, ranging from classics such as Ayn Rand's didactic magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged; and romance novels by Jane Austen; to newer releases like Dan Brown's latest thought-provoking thriller, The Lost Symbol and Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; all of which received the highest rating of four stars.

Joanne Noonan read Austen's Northanger Abbey, a book that she said really resonated with her. "It was all about relationships.  It was very modern.  The story doesn't change—it just wears different clothes," she said.

Brennan acknowledged that reading an engrossing book is truly its own reward.  She said, "Getting little gifts along the way... It's just cream on the cake."

Visit the library's website to find out more about the numerous programs the library has available for all ages, including a weekly reading group.

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