The Mastic Beach branch of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library will soon begin a new chapter after library trustees voted to close the location as a traditional library following months of safety concerns.

"I want to emphasize one important point: We are not abandoning Mastic Beach," said Joseph Maiorana, president of the Board of Trustees for the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library.

According to library officials, the decision follows ongoing issues at the branch, including vandalism, drug activity and violence. The library had already attempted to address the problems by reducing operating hours and increasing security measures.

Residents say the situation had become a serious concern.

"The crime out of there is out of control and something needs to be done. Maybe a special task force or something, I don’t know what can be done. But that crime is out of hand," said Mastic resident Kathleen Panessa.

Although the branch will no longer operate as a traditional library, the building itself will remain open and serve a different purpose within the community.

"Literary classes and a variety of programs we already offer at the other branches, we’ll have this as a specialized space for that," Maiorana said.

Some neighbors hope the transition will help improve the community.

"I hope that what they have planned for Mastic Beach turns out to whatever people are desiring. Hopefully, the plans, the community, and the people and everyone involved work together and make the community better than what it is," said Shirley resident John DeStephano.

The Mastic Beach branch will close its doors on Christmas Eve and is scheduled to reopen March 1 in its new role.