A huge crowd gathered recently, overflowing in the wonderful Children’s Room at the Bayville Free Library for a Great Gatsby event to benefit the library. Attendees donned ’20s styles for a fun evening.
Friends of the Library president, and former Bayville mayor, Vicky Siegel, mentioned that although Bayville doesn’t have East or West Egg, the village is just a short boat or car ride from where Jay Gatsby roamed.
She also pointed out that the library they were standing in was the carriage house for the Harrison Williams estate, which was a contemporary of the mansions mentioned in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.
“Everybody appeared to be having a Gatsby-themed event, so what could be better?” Siegel said.
Dave Gugerty told the Enterprise Pilot that as a former village trustee working with then Mayor Siegel, one of the first things they did was put on a historically accurate roof for the village hall complex. So they were excited to see continued improvements with the recent renovations. Gugerty was also trustee liaison to the library, so he said he really appreciates the improvements.
“My entire family, especially my children have been lifelong users of the library,” Gugerty said. “It has led to success in school for the kids and a love of reading and learning. In this era of the Internet, it was great to be celebrating the beautiful library space we have and to know that in Bayville there is still a central space for people to come to use all the resources a library offers.”
The Friends of the Bayville Library formed just about two months ago, and according to Siegel, this first event was a success, raising approximately $3,600.
Siegel says the fundraising will help the library obtain a lot of the needed materials. The modern library, she says, “is not just books.”
“Libraries are becoming community cultural centers where people can hear music, watch movies, listen to author lectures, view local artists on exhibit. It’s a place to turn to for educational, entertainment and intellectual needs.”
The group has filed for 501(c)(3) status, and though newly formed, Siegel is encouraged by the turnout of their first fundraiser.
“We will absolutely do another event; we’re already talking about the next one.”
