Normally, what are called “plastic film” products cannot recycled because they might catch in sorting machines or become contaminated during transit. However, a company called Trex makes use of plastic film packaging by turning it into composite decks and outdoor railings.

                    The Montauk Library is taking up a challenge to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic film within 12 months – for which purpose we’ve set up boxes where patrons can drop them off. If we succeed, Trex will reward us with an outdoor bench made of sustainable composite materials.

                    Would you like to help meet the challenge? If so, gather up clean and dry plastic film and bags and drop them in one of three large cardboard boxes at the library.

                    If the plastic is labeled as #2 or #4 it should be acceptable. Overwrap securing cases of plastic water bottles or protecting pallets of building materials is fair game, as is most plastic that’s stretchy. Plastic that’s shiny, crinkly or crunchy-sounding (like an iced coffee cup) cannot be used. Neither can degradable plastic, as that would make Trek’s outdoor products degradable.

                    All plastics must be clean, dry, and free of food residue. Repeat drop-offs will be very welcome. Help the environment, and help the library – and thank you!

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                    In spite of an angry outburst from the sky, the Friends of the Montauk Library’s annual book fair raised more than $10,000 this year, the most since the fair left the Green nine years ago. An estimated 1,657 people visited the library over the Fourth of July weekend, also drawn by a summer reading kickoff that dovetailed with the book fair on Saturday.

                 Books, baked goods, and jewelry took over the library’s lower level while a plant sale and children’s activities were set up outside.  “Having kids’ events at the library always brings in people and we purposely have had the kids’ crafts and games going on to get the families downstairs,” said Sally Krusch, head of the Friends and commander of volunteers, who sent for towels, dried up, and moved on after a quick rain descended on arts and crafts stations.

                    The book fair was started in 1980 to raise money to create a library in Montauk. It was staged on the Montauk Green for about 35 years, raising $27,000 in one day at its peak. Bob-E Metzger, who died last year, was a key leader in getting books (then sold by the pound) from the library to the Green, which would be cordoned off into sections to accommodate hordes of shoppers.

                    It was during this era that Bob and Charlotte Schorr, who were her neighbors, roped Ms. Krusch into helping out and taking on an increasing number of responsibilities. “I was, at the time, one of the youngest members of the Friends,” Ms. Krusch said. “I knew most of the old-timers and respected that wonderful group of women.”

“It was all a labor of love for me. Bob-E would always run the book fair but I tried to be with her for most of the steps. Three years ago when she got really sick again I stepped up and ran the fair. So many details. But that is my strength, organizing things, so I think I made it easier. Bob-E was so creative, so I have just organized all her traditions.”

                    Eventually, the book fair was moved from the Green to the library, alleviating parking problems and eliminating the need to transport tons of books from one place to another. “The first year at the library we made half what we did on the Green, but it has gone up every year as we reinvent it,” Ms. Krusch said.

                    In recent years a favorite money-maker has been a bucket raffle, which Ms. Krusch said Pat Shea, a volunteer, has upgraded into “an art.” Proceeds from the fair go toward library programs as well as such material gifts as, most recently, a new display case to feature community projects and a bike repair station for two-wheeling library patrons.

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