Rogers Memorial Library Grows Its Outreach Effort With New Community Garden

Patrons of Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton may notice something different the next time they go to check out a book: the library’s new community garden.

“Community gardens are really getting a foothold in Long Island libraries,” said reference librarian Sara Fiore, who is spearheading the project. “It’s an extension of the idea that libraries are becoming more like community centers than simply fulfilling their traditional role. Also, they tie in with the push for sustainability, which is a big thing for libraries right now.”

Fiore explained that many libraries in the state have joined an initiative aimed at combating the myriad environmental challenges the communities are facing.

“You go through all the aspects of library service, from how you maintain your landscaping to how you handle your energy needs — everything you can think of in connection with how the building operates and how we offer services, even to how we take care of our books,” she said. “For example, there’s a company providing an environmentally friendly alternative to the plastic binding we’ve always used on our books.

“So the community garden was kind of a no-brainer. Originally, we hoped it would be a traditional community garden where people could take a personal plot, but we don’t have the space for that. So we’re doing a demonstration garden.”

Library Director Liz Burns said the idea for the garden has been simmering for several years but came to life this year with a donation from Water Mill resident Katie Milligan in memory of Matthew Rewinski, the son of her good friends Judy and Steve Rewinski.

“I kept trying to think of something I could do to honor his memory,” said Milligan. “He was their only child and an avid reader.”

On the suggestion of another friend, former library trustee Alexandra Halsey Storch, Milligan called Burns.

“I said I just want to do something in memory of Matt,” she said, “something different from a standard brick or a bench. Liz told me they were planning to do this community garden. It was perfect. Matt’s mother is an avid gardener, and she loved the idea.” She added, “I feel like it was meant to be.”

Five Rogers staffers — Fiore, Carol O’Connor, Joanna Faron, Scout Mercer and Tony Valle — are leading the project. They began construction on May 5, with assistance from O’Connor’s son, Will.

The crew is building four 4-foot-by-8-foot raised beds and plans to use two for vegetables, one for herbs and one as a pollinator garden.

“We’ve received extremely generous responses from local businesses,” said Carol O’Connor. “Riverhead Building Supply is donating the wood for the raised beds, Fowler’s Garden Center helped us apply for a grant for the soil, and we’re getting seedlings donated from the Green Thumb and Adam Halsey.”

O’Connor, a member of the library’s Family Department, has a vegetable garden at home and is excited about the opportunity to share her enthusiasm with the library’s young patrons: “It’s always nice to spend time outdoors with kids, and by teaching them to plant and grow things we can possibly spark a lifelong interest in them for gardening, as well as reading.

“We have so many books on gardening and cooking, and I hope that when they can see things grow, and even help them grow, that will motivate them to want to learn more and maybe do some gardening at home. Even if you don’t have much room, you can always do a little herb garden on your windowsill.”

The garden will be wheelchair accessible, with programs for adults as well as children. Patrons interested in getting involved with the library garden can get more information from the reference department.

“People will be able to come and help us with weeding and planting, harvesting, preparing the garden for winter, and everything we grow will be given away,” said Fiore. “If we grow a whole bunch of cucumbers, for example, we can just take them to the circulation desk, and people can take a couple when they check out their books.”

Burns said she hopes the garden will be a resource for the community, a place people can come to learn. “We love to introduce patrons to new things, and this is just another area we can expand our services into. We’re really grateful to Katie for giving us the gift that got this started. The staff is doing a great job, and we can’t wait to share it with the community.”

The library plans to celebrate an official opening day, possibly in July. “It’s important for all of us to do our part to take care of the planet,” said Fiore. “When you get in there and grow something yourself, you see how beautiful that process is. Our hope is that it will inspire people to get involved in promoting sustainability in other ways.”