Volunteers, Pols Talk Carnegie Library Preservation

Volunteers were joined by town officials on Saturday in front of the on Lake Street in an .

Congressman Tim Bishop, Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri, County Legislator Jack Eddington’s Chief of Staff Rob Calarco and Patchogue Village Board members announced their support to the organization and other locals looking to save a piece of Patchogue’s culture.

“The Village of Patchogue is moving forward in a way that respects its past, and this library is part of the golden age of Patchogue,” Bishop said. “If we can come together and put it towards a worthwhile community use, everybody benefits.”

According to a press release, the Library was used from 73 years, opening in 1908 then relocating in 1981. Friends of the Carnegie Library founder David Kennedy said that forming a partnership with the community has helped move efforts along.

“I’ve seen so many historic buildings disappear, and it’s time for us to save something so the future does have a connection to our past,” Kennedy said. “We just formed the group a couple of weeks ago, and we’re going to join forces so we can let people know that the community is for this.”

Among the Library’s supporters were employees Karen McCahey and Laura Accardi, who raised $2,000 for awareness after holding a yard sale and bake sales during .

“[We] spearheaded the effort early on in the process, and we had approached the mayor to see what was going on, as well as the Historical Society and the Arts Council,” McCahey said. “We’re completely committed to doing whatever it takes to keep this building in existence.”

Pontieri agrees that a group effort is the best way to fully support the cause, and appreciates the backing by residents.

“I learned a long time ago that you can’t do anything by yourself- our county, state, and government will take this on our backs as a team and walk it to the place where it should be,” he said. “I appreciate their support because it gives what I do the credibility to make it go forward.”