Brookhaven Free Library names permanent director

Anthony Zutter grew up in Centereach, within walking distance of the Middle Country Library.

An avid reader, at 16 he landed an after-school job at the library shelving books.

That experience stayed with Zutter as he started thinking about a career.

He considered becoming a history teacher or a marine biologist, but kept coming back to the idea of working as a librarian.

“I realized I loved it,” Zutter said.

Zutter, now 38, went on to get a Master of Library Science degree from SUNY Buffalo and pursue a career that has taken him to jobs at several libraries in Suffolk County.

He joined the Brookhaven Free Library as patron services manager in 2021 and was promoted to interim director in August when longtime director Jamie Papandrea left to become director at West Islip Library.

In September, the Brookhaven Free Library Board named Zutter the permanent director.

The library traces its roots back to 1912, when a group of area women started the Fireplace Literary Club with the idea of starting a public library. It is one of two libraries; the other is the South Country Library in Bellport, that serves residents of the South Country School District.

The Brookhaven Free Library has a 2024-2025 budget of $970,692 and 4,078 cardholders.

Zutter said he wants to expand on the initiatives Papandrea put in place in her 11 years as director.

He wants to add more free or low-cost community events, like a solar eclipse watch party held this year on the Village Green in Bellport and the Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Blaze, a pumpkin-carving contest and arts and crafts festival held at HOG Farm each October.

Zutter, who oversees a staff of 15 employees, said he also wants to expand other services the library offers, including adding to the “Library of Things,” a list of non-book items patrons can borrow such as coffee urns and lawn games. He also wants to add to the list of museums and other cultural institutions where patrons can get free or discounted admission.

One of the things Zutter likes best about his job is working with the library’s patrons.

“I’m not going to change the world,” he said. “But I can change someone’s world.”