Riverhead Free Library

The iconic carriage house (circa 1873) stands on what was once the homestead of the John R. Perkins family. Known as the Yellow Barn, it houses a used bookstore operated by Friends of the Riverhead Free Library.

To celebrate Pride Month, Riverhead library is offering a collection of books and DVDs focused on the experience of the LGBTQ community. It is also hosting two Pride Month programs: a drag queen hour and LGBT 101.

Riverhead Central School District voters approved contracts with Riverhead Free Library and Baiting Hollow Library April 6.

“You’ve got to change with the times. You’ve got to roll with it,” said Riverhead Free Library director Kerrie McMullen-Smith. The library has implemented virtual programming, including children's programs, concerts and author talks.

Long Island Cares will supply a free three-day food supply on the first Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. to 12 noon at Riverhead Free Library.

The Long Island Cares mobile Food Pantry will distribute a free three-day supply of food to residents in need at Riverhead Free Library Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. No ID is required.

Kristopher Depaz and Ayaan Geer, both 5, were rewarded with brand new bicycles for reading 1,000 books before kindergarten. The bikes were donated by Friends of the Riverhead Free Library. Also pictured: Friends president Marcia Littenberg and RFL Youth and Family Services coordinator Lauren Strong. Photo: Peter Blasl

The Riverhead library, operating on last year's adopted budget, will be closed on Sundays from October to April due to financial constraints.

The library will operate under its current budget for the next fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30, 2021.

The library, a community resource especially valuable to parents of school-aged kids even in the absence of a pandemic, may well be nothing short of a lifeline to people in these trying times.