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Long Island’s libraries offer a lot more than books

It’s National Library week, and to kick it off, News 12 explored all the fun things Long Island’s libraries offer that have nothing to do with books.

Cecilia Dowd

Apr 20, 2026, 6:00 PM

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A birthday lawn sign. Tools. A ukulele. These are just some of the items at the Farmingdale Public Library’s "Library of Things," that are available to borrow at no cost, just like its books.

Nicole Scherer, assistant director at Nassau Library System, says Long Island libraries are amazing places of discovery.

“You can walk in with whatever your interests are and find stuff and people who love the same things you do. You can also discover the whole world. The library provides access to every thought and every concept and it allows people of all ages to discover who they are and what they love and it really sets a baseline for lifelong learning that we know is so important,” Scherer said.

The Huntington Public Library’s "Library of Things," includes golf clubs, a picnic basket, hotspots and blood- pressure monitors. The library also offers passes to museums across the island and in New York City.

“We are so much more than books,” explained Donna Mazovec, the head of adult reference at the library.

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