Clickcheckandprotect.org is a project of the National School Safety Coalition. This online resource provides safety and recall information on products and issues that impact children’s lives. Users can sign up to receive alerts via email, text message, RSS and even Facebook! The National School Safety Coalition is composed of organizations that represent school administrators, educators, health officials, and school-based volunteer organizations including the New York State PTA.

 Take a drive with your family in the comfort of your car through the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County’s Holiday Light Show and enjoy the beautiful holiday displays, going on now and running through December 30, 2011 at Camp Edey in Bayport!  Click on the link above for further information.

Also consider the following festive and colorful lighting displays:

• Bayville Winter Wonderland
• Newsday’s Holiday Lights Festival

Posted by Ray Arroyo

The winter is full of family centric holidays! I love sitting around the table, talking with my family that I don’t see often. We have many books about families visiting at the Commack Public Library. Here are some of my personal favorites:

Appelt, Kathi. Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives
While preparing for a visit from some relatives–and even after they arrive–Bubba and Beau want nothing more than to sink their paws into the squishy, squashy mud hole.

Bowen, Anne. When You Visit Grandma & Grandpa
A sister tells her new baby brother about the excitement and activities surrounding a trip to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house.

Design-a-Bookmark Contest
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
3rd - 5th Grade
6th - 12th Grade

Design a bookmark and tell us why you like the library! Twelve designs will be chosen, printed on bookmarks and featured monthly in our newsletter. The winning monthly bookmark will also be displayed and distributed in the Children’s Department. Entry forms will be available in the library beginning Thursday, December 1st. All entries will receive a “Certificate of Participation.”

All entries must be illustrated in color. The last day to submit your entry is Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

Download an entry form here.

Did you know that November is Native American Heritage Month? This month is dedicated to is honoring and recognizing the original peoples of the United States.

One of the best ways to celebrate Native American Heritage month would be to check out a book that focuses on native Americans. The library has many great books under the subject ‘Indians of North America — Juvenile fiction.’

Here are some of my personal favorites:

Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble.
Though she is fond of her people, a girl prefers to live among the wild horses where she is truly happy and free

We here at the Commack Public Library love book displays. We have many displays of books throughout the library. From school assignments to holiday books, there are always displays around the children’s department and beyond.

Here are the displays we have up right now:

Rolling Hills Reads Nonfiction:
This year’s topic for Rolling Hill’s Partners in Reading program is “Notable Non-fiction.” We have a display of over 200 leveled non-fiction books on the second floor of the library, along the back wall.

Thanksgiving Books:
We have a great selection of Thanksgiving stories just in time of the November holiday.

Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 8.  There are many great books at the Commack Public Library that deal with the subject of elections. Here are some of my personal favorites:

Non-Fiction:

Presidential Elections
Henry, Christopher E.
Presents information on how presidential campaigns work including the primary election, party conventions, presidential debates, and polling, as well as the role of independent candidates.

Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts
Sobel, Syl
Explains the history and process of electing a president of the United States, and provides facts about Presidents, first ladies, and campaigns.

Did you know many villages on Long Island offer safe trick-or-treat programs? Children can go trick-or-treating at participating businesses in the village. These programs offer a safe alternative to going door to door and also provide a great opportunity for your child to learn more about their town.
The following villages offer safe trick-or-treat programs:

Cold Spring Harbor Village
There is no start time listed on their site, but we’ve verified that stores will offer trick-or-treating from 12pm-5pm. Participating businesses will have a sign in the window or door.

I love games. I was always the kid that wanted to play a game, from Monopoly on rainy days to Spud outside. I still love games like those, the ones that make you think creatively. Playing games with your family is a great way to spend some quality time together. There are many commercial board games out there, but there are many more that you can play together with very little set up or expense.

Of course, we have some great books on the subject!