Library History - Courant Era, 1984-1990

  • Weinschenk, Doris.  "Still Writing at 80, She 'Can't Help It.'"  Newsday,  February 20, 1984:  p. A 2.  -- Novelist Phyllis Whitney and writing contest, judged by her, award given annually by Patchogue-Medford Library.
  • Long Island Journal.  New York Times, February 17, 1985:  p. A 3. -- "With funds provided by the local novelist, the Phyllis A. Whitney Writing Award, administered by the Patchogue-Medford Library, is considerably richer: two awards of $500 each are waiting for Suffolk students (they may be enrolled at schools elsewhere) who in 300 words or less can impress the judges with their thoughts ''On Writing.'' The deadline for this competition is April 1, and applications are available in Suffolk librariesand school district adult educational offices, or by calling the reference librarian at the Patchogue Library...."
  • Correction.  New York Times, 03 Mar 1985: A.5. -- "The annual Phyllis A. Whitney Writing Award is financed by the Friends of the Patchogue-Medford Library, not by the local novelist, as was reported in the Long Island Journal on Feb. 17."
  • First Automated Check Out of a Book - to former Director Elaine Phipps, 1985, in the E. Main Street Library
  • A Wall, A Will, and a Way, 1988 - wall mural, fought, then embraced by the community, and The New York Times