Laura Accardi’s friends, family, and coworkers gathered at the Tap Room last Wednesday to say goodbye to the longtime head of promotions and development at the Patchogue-Medford Library, who retired this month.

In her nearly 20 years at the library, the Patchogue resident has helped develop programs that bring library programming into the community, like the downtown Patchogue Bluebrella history tour, Booktoberfest at Blue Point Brewery (the program has also been expanded to Medford) and the SEED lending library.

“Nobody does things like Laura,” Pat-Med Library director Danielle Paisley said.

In 2015, Patchogue was among the first libraries on Long Island to start a SEED program, in which patrons can get free seed packets they can use for growing their own fruits and vegetables, or preparing salsa and other dishes.

The SEED library has grown to more than 500 members and Accardi was part of a group from the library who gave a presentation about the program at the New York Library Association conference in 2024.

“She’s definitely made her mark not just in Patchogue, but in New York State,” said Michele Cayea, the library’s director of education and outreach.

Accardi joined the library in 2005, and since that time has been a fountain for creative ideas about how to draw more people to the library.

That includes coming up with a digital fish tank, window displays, and having a tent at the Great South Bay Music Festival.

“Anytime you have an idea, she just wants to say ‘yes,’” Cayea said.

Accardi said her programs “made people see the library in a different light.”

She had a great time planning all the different events.

“Boy, has it been fun,” she said.

Accardi said she and her husband Vin are looking forward to planning a long-awaited trip to Italy.