New York City is officially going through a heat wave, and Queens Public Library is here to help!

If you don’t have air conditioning in your home or your apartment, or if you are at risk for heat-related illness, please visit your local library.

Public libraries in New York City serve as official “cooling centers” during a heat emergency. Cooling centers are places where you can enjoy air-conditioned comfort. They are free and open to the public, even if you are not using their services.

NYC Emergency Management will let the public know when a heat emergency happens, such as an unusually hot day, or several hot days in a row.

If you need a cool place to visit during the next few days, stop by your local QPL branch for great books, programs, and events—and stay for the air conditioning!

All Queens Public Library locations except Cambria Heights, Langston Hughes, and Rochdale Village will operate as NYC Cooling Centers during this heat emergency. Visit https://www.queenslibrary.org/about-us/locations for our hours of operation.

To check for any changes in the status of the air conditioning at your local library, please contact them directly.

If you need to find another Cooling Center closer to you, please call 311 or visit http://www.nyc.gov/beattheheat.