Feelings of excitement, friendship, and accomplishment filled the community room at the Glen Cove Public Library on July 30, when people supported with day services at Glen Head, Carle Place, and Sea Cliff attended, “Beyond the Stars: Hooked on Books Art Exhibition Reception.”

The nearly 40 people in attendance participated in a collaborative art project, each creating their unique version of a space themed collage that featured a spaceship and the sun and stars surrounded by a smattering of celestial bodies. The finished pieces were then beautifully displayed on the wall accompanied by the artists’ names and photographs.

“I just got a certificate for Beyond the Stars from Marissa,” said Pauline Wisz who receives day services at Carle Place. “I really like Hooked on Books. It’s fun because you read, you do art, you color. Sometimes we meet the author of a book.”

The Hooked on Books exhibition was a special celebration for members of the weekly reading club, founded by Glen Cove Public Library librarian Marissa Damiano. Back in 2022, Marissa noticed people from day services frequently visited the library but did not take advantage of their resources. To remedy this, Marissa invited them to meet weekly on Wednesdays to read a book together before completing an art project. There’s also a garden at the library that people in day services care for during their visits.

The Club initially began with members from the Glen Head and Carle Place hub-sites  and grew to include people from Sea Cliff in the spring. As the program expanded, day services’ team members facilitated proactive participation.

“We rotate anywhere from three to four people each week so that whoever’s interested and wants to work on their reading can join,” said Sondra Baggott, the Glen Head day services location manager said.

The Hooked on Books art exhibition celebrates over two years of reading, art making, community building, and skill development. The event came together in collaboration with the Sea Cliff Library and the Glen Cove Youth Bureau Green Teams, who volunteered by distributing art materials to the artists during the show.

“This has been planned for many, many months, and finally when it was put together, it was beautiful,” said Sondra.

Hooked on Books club meetings continue to take place every Wednesday at the library. The growing club has become a haven for learning and exploration.

“I just love reading books. It keeps my mind busy,” said Pauline. “When I’m hooked on books it seems like I’m in the book. I’m not thinking about anything else, just the adventure that I’m on.”