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About Us

The Queens Library serves 2.3 million people from 62 locations plus seven Adult Learning Centers and two Family Literacy Centers. It circulates among the highest numbers of books and other library materials in the country.

Governance

Queens Library is an autonomous library system, guided by a 19-member Board of Trustees alternately appointed by the Mayor of the City of New York and the Queens Borough President. The Mayor, the Public Advocate, the Comptroller, the Speaker of the City Council, and the Borough President are ex officio members. On March 6, 2014, at Central Library, the Standards Committee will be meeting at 4:30 pm, the Administrative Committee will be meeting at 5:30 pm,  and there will be a special meeting of the Board of Trustees at 7:00 pm.

Administration

Thomas W. Galante is the President and CEO. A senior management team, comprised of specialists in a variety of areas, including Community Library Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Communications, Technical Services, Finance, and Human Resources, provide expertise in their respective fields.

Funding

Queens Library receives the majority of its operating expenses from the City of New York. In Fiscal Year 2013, total support was $128.1 million: City of New York (85%); New York State and Federal governments, as well as contributions and private sources (15%).

At A Glance

  • In Fiscal Year 2013, 17.5 million items were circulated.
  • In Fiscal Year 2013, in-person attendance was 12 million people.
  • Some 665,000 people attended more than 38,000 free programs in FY 13.
  • Staff answered 9.5 million reference and directional inquiries in FY 13.
  • Queens Library has more than 7.5 million items in its collections.
  • There were nearly 900,000 active borrowers in FY 13.
  • Friends of the Queens Library comprise 3,000 members. Friends are instrumental in volunteering, promoting, and advocating for the Library. For information, call (718) 990-8585.
  • 17,500 people learned computer skills and/or took advantage of job search workshops. That amounts to more than 43,000 hours of free instruction in FY 13.
  • More than 3,000 students attended structured classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages in Fiscal Year 2013. Thousands more used the Adult Learning Centers for self-study and English conversation practice.
  • More facts about Queens Library (PDF).

Publications

Queens Library produces two publications year-round. Enrich Your Life is a quarterly publication focusing on what's happening at your Queens Library. Programs @ Queens Library  is your monthly resource to the thousands of programs at Queens Library that are available to you free of charge. You can subscribe to Queens Library publications delivered electronically here

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