News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
FIFA World Cup

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

Updated

Share:

More Stories

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.

More Stories

Top Stories

02:38
422brittanybelmontfire_2026-04-22-06-24-19

Major fire tears through building in Belmont; at least 2 dead

02:03
RADAR NYC - RAINY MORNING

A rainy start in The Bronx with pleasant warmup on the way

00:43
BXABANDONEDBABYTIMESSQUARE422265A_2026-04-22-05-34-37

6-month-old baby girl abandoned in Times Square

00:32
Handcuffs generic

5 Bronx residents busted in undercover NJ operation targeting dirt bike thefts

00:25
422teenrobbedbx_2026-04-22-05-30-38

3 wanted for robbing teenager at knifepoint on BX9 bus

02:18
pbasuesccrbCM_2026-04-21-22-25-56

Police Benevolent Association sues NYPD oversight agency for "false" and "baseless" online claims

01:32
IMG 4434

5 popular summer annuals that bloom all season (These flowers are easy to grow!)

00:53
bartowavepedstruck10pmCM_2026-04-21-22-07-01

Grandmother killed, two injured after car slams into Bronx bus stop bench

01:44
vigilforedgespence10pmCM_2026-04-21-22-56-28

Mott Haven community mourns grandfather killed by stray bullet

00:40
securityguardassaultedarrestCM_2026-04-21-22-15-09

Duo arrested in assault of security guard inside a City MD Urgent Care

01:47
unsafeinthelobbyCM_2026-04-21-17-18-12

Drug use and partying is taking over Tremont apartment lobby

02:14
newearlychildhoodeducationcenterCM_2026-04-21-17-45-17

Brooklyn site among 7 child care centers opening as city expands 3‑K access

00:34
BXCONCVILL42126_2026-04-21-09-34-47

Bronx man charged in fatal stabbing of girlfriend in Concourse Village

01:37
BXREBUILDINGPLAZA42126_2026-04-21-05-29-08

Urban Health Plan to open new 52,000-square-foot health center in Longwood

00:22
BXMOTORCYCLECRASH421265A_2026-04-21-05-20-40

Motorcycle collides with car on the Throggs Neck Expressway

02:05
erikduranreleased10pmCM_2026-04-20-22-43-18

Ex-NYPD sergeant out of prison as manslaughter charge is appealed

01:54
fdnyambulancefees10pmCM_2026-04-20-22-04-17

FDNY proposes ambulance fee hike as EMS unions sound alarm

01:58
5PALEXANDER AVE SHOOTING REWARDST_2026-04-20-17-19-20

'Snitch.' Family of 78-year-old killed in Mott Haven asks for community's help to find shooter

01:58
CongestionPricingPollutionAB5PM_2026-04-20-17-26-17

South Bronx environmentalists say congestion pricing is worsening local air quality

02:42
nypdaccountabilityCM_2026-04-20-18-03-34

Civil rights activists meet with NYPD commissioner, call for more accountability

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices