FML Receives a Grant!

The Library was awarded a $1000 grant by the State Education Department. This Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund grant will be used to digitize over 55 years of the Village of Freeport newsletters.

Freeport began producing an informative newsletter in the early 1950s. The first issue was published in May 1952 and was delivered to residents as part of the electric bill. This practice continued until the 1990s when the newsletter was sent as a separate mailing. In a time before the internet, the newsletter served as a way to communicate directly with the community. Early newsletters include some biographies of Village employees and historical reminiscences of long-time residents. Later editions cover such diverse topics as census data, the Village's anti-blockbusting campaign, urban renewal, and memorials to Freeport's 9-11 victims.

Once digitized, these newsletters will be fully searchable and will be available to everyone on the Long Island Memories digital site (www.longislandmemories.org).