Carmen DiBartolomeo Wins School Library Specialist Award

Carmen DiBartolomeo has been named the Western Suffolk BOCES school library system’s Librarian of the Year Award recipient. The J. Taylor Finley Middle School faculty member garnered recommendation letters from school administrators, teacher colleagues and even current Finley students.

“I am deeply humbled to be recognized with the Western Suffolk BOCES Award and truly touched by the words of support from students and colleagues,” Ms. DiBartolomeo said. “We all hope to make a meaningful impact on the students we serve and reading their letters explaining why they felt I deserved this award was especially moving.”

The Newfield High School graduate completed an undergraduate degree at Stony Brook University and earned a master’s degree at Long Island University.

“While working as a library clerk at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, I spent a lot of time reading young adult literature and talking with students,” Ms. DiBartolomeo said. “I loved connecting with them over books, and it was during that time that I began thinking seriously about becoming a librarian.”

Finley teachers note that Ms. DiBartolomeo is “truly someone you can always count on.” They cited her “kindness, reliability, creativity and unwavering support make a meaningful difference every single day.”

“One particularly powerful example of her dedication is her ongoing assistance in helping me use virtual reality headsets in my classroom,” wrote Finley science teacher Thomas A. Tantillo in a recommendation letter. “With her guidance, my students have been able to explore the intricate and fascinating parts of the human body, as well as the inner organelles of cells, through immersive VR experiences. These lessons have helped students visualize complex concepts that are often difficult at the middle school level, leading to deeper understanding, increased engagement and genuine excitement for science.”

Finley Spanish teacher Alicia Furman said Ms. DiBartolomeo has “transformed the library” into a safe haven for students. “The atmosphere and physical environment is so very welcoming to all students on a daily basis,” wrote Ms. Furman in a recommendation letter. “She is very thoughtful, committed and creates programs that support the interests and meet the academic needs of all types of learners as well as those of diverse backgrounds.”

Outside of school, the librarian frequently volunteers with Coco, her therapy dog, and with The Little Angel Fund, Inc., a nonprofit that supports parents with children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Stony Brook University Hospital. She also works evenings and/or weekends at the Huntington Public Library as a public librarian.

“Since my first day at Finley and in the Huntington UFSD, the vision here has been student-centered, and my experience has been overwhelmingly positive,” Ms. DiBartolomeo said. “I’m grateful to be part of a community that prioritizes students in such a genuine way.”

Finley Principal Traci Roethel said Ms. DiBartolomeo “has consistently redefined what a modern school library can and should be. She is a forward-thinking educator who seamlessly integrates technology, literacy and creativity to enhance learning for both students and staff.”

Even Finley students rallied to support Ms. DiBartolomeo’s award nomination. One of these students is eighth grader Ethan Martin, who wrote that the librarian is “very hard working and very much deserves” to be honored.

“She allows people to come to the library during our lunch period when it is too cold for recess so we have something to do,” Mr. Martin wrote. “She does not have to do this and she does it because she is such a hard worker that will help our school and students as much as she can.”