After years of planning and anticipation, the Medford community gathered in jubilation to celebrate the grand opening of the brand-new Medford Public Library. The culmination of a long journey marked by community efforts, local government support, and dedicated advocacy, the opening of this state-of-the-art facility represents a significant milestone for residents of Medford.
Located at the Medford Athletic Complex, the new library is not just a building, but a beacon of learning, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. It now allows residents to utilize their own library instead of the one located in Patchogue, which was outside of their community and had long struggled to meet the growing needs of Medford’s expanding population.
The funding primarily came from the Medford Hamlet Foundation after they received $2 million from the Caithness host funds when the Cavness powerplant came to the area. A board of trustees was formed, and the money was held in trust for many years. Joan Travan, the late President of the Medford Hamlet Foundation and Nerina Sperl the Vice President alongside Ray Sperl and Neil Morello collectively met several times over the course of 16 years trying to find a project to benefit their community and they finally did.
“I’d like to single out Joan Travan, a great civic leader and long-time advocate for this community,” said Assembylman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford) (pictured below). “I know she is looking down on us today and smiling. Thank you, Joan, for making this library happen for your many friends and neighbors. A community library is no longer just about books. This annex is an information hub that puts the knowledge of the world right at your fingertips. The library is a meeting place, a community focal point where the people can come together to pursue whatever they like. I could not be happier that after all these years, the people of Medford now have such a valuable resource so close to home.”
“We were trying to find a community center, something we could use the funds for that would benefit the community and then we came up with the library annex because Medford didn’t have a library,” said Library Trustee Maria Polak. “After sixteen years and now in 2024, we saw the fruits of our labor.”
The grand opening festivities kicked off with speeches from local officials, library board members, and community leaders who expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the new library a reality. In attendance was Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches), Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point), Councilman Michael Loguercio (R-Ridge), State Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue), Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, and Suffolk County Legislators Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) and Nick Caracappa (C-Selden).
From fundraising, money the community had in trust, advocacy by local officials to grants, and local government support, the project garnered widespread support and enthusiasm.
“This truly has been a long time coming. After years of hard work by the library officials, community leaders, and elected officials on multiple levels, the Medford community finally has a library branch of their own,” remarked Senator Murray (pictured top).
The new Medford Public Library boasts modern amenities designed to cater to the diverse needs of its patrons. Spacious reading areas, advanced technology available to residents, a dedicated children’s section, and quiet study spaces are just some of the features that promise to enhance the library experience for visitors of all ages. Locals showed their enthusiasm and stated they could not wait to use the library and bring their kids.
Beyond its role as a hub for learning and literacy, the new library is poised to become a focal point for community gatherings, workshops, and cultural events. Plans are already underway to host events and educational programs that will further enrich the lives of Medford residents.
As the opening day celebrations unfolded, it was evident that the Medford community’s excitement was palpable. Families enjoyed music and food donated by local restaurants, explored the shelves of newly stocked books, teenagers tested out the library’s digital resources, and senior citizens found cozy corners to enjoy a quiet read.
With its doors now open wide, the Medford Branch Public Library stands ready to write a new chapter in the town’s history—one filled with knowledge, imagination, and boundless opportunities for all who enter.
