The Amagansett Library will host a Thank-You Note Project in which members of the public can write notes of thanks to others in the community starting Nov. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. and continuing through the rest of the month.
Evan Harris, the head of children's services at the library, pointed out that often "it would be so nice to say thank you," but without a prompt to do so, "it might feel a little awkward. Maybe if it's something the library is doing, it might take away some of the hesitating."
The library hopes to build community through these expressions of gratitude for teachers, caregivers, volunteers, or anyone at all who has inspired thanks.
Ms. Harris views thanks as a "binding agent in a small community," and said that now more than ever this would be "something to try." The idea is to give people an opportunity and some tools to express that gratitude and make connections, and so all ages and families have been invited to drop by and use the library's envelopes, paper, cards, and donated postage stamps. Community service hours will be offered to high school students.
In the event an address is hard to find or it is not possible for the sender to get to a post office, the library is offering its services to get the note to the right place, Ms. Harris said.
On Monday the East Hampton Library will similarly offer thank-you card kits for people to take home and make cards for essential workers. Anyone can stop by the young-adult room from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. or call 631-324-0222, extension 5, for curbside pickup of supplies. High school students who return the cards will receive credit for one hour of community service.