Queens Public Library Transforms Ravenswood Housing Complex Site Into a Community Learning Center
With Support from Amazon and Local Green Energy Company Rise Light & Power, the Ravenswood Learning Center Offers Services Focused on Workforce Development
Queens, NY _ Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, NYCHA Executive Vice President of Property Management Operations Daniel Greene, representatives from Amazon and Rise Light & Power, residents and civic leaders today celebrated the transformation of the Library’s longstanding site at the Ravenswood Houses into a community learning center focusing on workforce development, digital literacy, and re-entry services, reflecting the current needs of people who live and work in the Long Island City and Astoria area.
QPL operated a circulating library inside the 3,000-square-foot space, located at 35-32 21st Street, from the time the housing complex opened in 1951 until 2007, when the branch relocated to the then-new Long Island City Library. The location was later used as a family literacy center, and then as a Universal Pre-K location site from 2015 to 2019. It now features two classrooms, a computer lab, and a public lounge area, and will be open Mondays through Thursdays. Hours are available here.
“Since 1951, this location has provided vital resources to generations of Ravenswood residents and the wider community,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are thrilled to welcome back our customers and offer programs and services focused on workforce development and digital literacy, reflecting the current needs of people who live and work in Long Island City and Astoria. I want to thank the New York City Housing Authority, the Ravenswood Resident Association, Amazon, and Rise Light & Power for working with us to revitalize this important space.”
QPL opened its Ravenswood location in 1951
“Libraries play a critical role developing open- and civic-minded citizens, and I am excited to see the reopening of the Ravenswood Community Learning Center with state-of-the-art upgrades,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I am grateful for the leadership of the Queens Public Library and New York City Housing Authority to ensure the Ravenswood Housing community has access to technology training, workforce development programs, and reentry services meant to uplift the local Queens community.”
“I'm proud to see the incredible transformation of Queens Public Library Ravenswood site into a state-of-the-art community learning center realized today. This center will provide the residents of Ravenswood and surrounding communities with skill-building programs focused on workforce development, technology training, and reentry services. I thank all the partners that worked together to make this possible and can't wait to see the positive impact this has on our community,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.
“The role of libraries in the health, safety and prosperity of our communities cannot be overstated,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “Libraries, like Ravenswood, which also function as Community Learning Centers, are especially crucial. They provide resources like digital literacy, employment support, re-entry assistance, and much more—all free of charge to community members. I am privileged to partner with the Queens Public Library and continue supporting the services provided not only to the Ravenswood community but also to the rest of Queens.”
“Our public library system makes Queens and New York City great. Congratulations to Queens Public Library on the re-opening of the Ravenswood Community Learning Center with more resources to give Ravenswood and Long Island City residents access to essential workforce development and technology training as a pathway to greater opportunities,” said Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani.
“The reopening of the Queens Public Library’s Ravenswood Community Learning Center — and the return of its much-needed services — is a win for the Ravenswood Houses and the families who call it home,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “From workforce development to technology training to reentry services, this community center will empower our community members. I commend the Queens Public Library for bringing it back, so that our individuals and families can have the support they need to thrive.”
“The long-awaited Queens Public Library Ravenswood Learning Center will bring much-needed services to the community, allowing our neighbors to access free workforce development, technology training, and reentry support for participants in QPL and the ‘See You on the Outside’ program,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Since taking office, I have funded programs and provided support to our neighbors in the Ravenswood community, including Big Apple Connect for free internet and cable TV and advocacy for much-needed capital improvements for residents. This new learning center is another crucial resource that will ensure our neighbors can learn new skills that help them thrive.”
“We are thrilled to see the reopening of the Queens Public Library's Ravenswood Community Learning Center which will provide enriching programs for so many residents at NYCHA's Ravenswood Houses,” said Queens Community Board 1 Chair Evie Hantzopoulos. “Queens Public Library provides such critical services and the focus on workforce development, technology training, and reentry services at this Center will be of great benefit to the community.”
“NYCHA is absolutely thrilled that our collaborative work with the Queens Public Library has led to the opening of the Community Learning Center,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President of Property Management Operations Daniel Greene. “We’re proud to have played a role in creating this safe space for Ravenswood residents and members of the surrounding community to come together and benefit from an array of invaluable programs and workshops.”
“Amazon is proud to continue its support the Queens Public Library, including the re-opening of the Ravenswood Houses branch,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Head of Community Affairs for Amazon New York. “Every community deserves a learning center focused on workforce development, technology training and the joy of reading like this one. We're pleased to have played a role with community leaders on its re-opening.”
“Rise Light & Power is proud to support QPL and NYCHA’s forward-looking investment in Ravenswood Houses,” said Wil Fisher, Director of External Affairs at Rise Light & Power. “Alongside our ambitions to replace fossil fuel generators at Ravenswood Generating with renewable energy, we are committed to doing our part for economic empowerment and environmental vitality in Western Queens. We look forward to working with this new branch as a resource to engage with our neighbors on the unfolding energy transition.”
“This is a new era and a new way of becoming a community that works together, “said Carol Wilkins, President of the Ravenswood Resident Association. “I grew up using this library, my children and my grandchildren used this library as well. A library should be the heart of a community like that of the Ravenswood Community Learning Center, where we can research and learn about what's out there in this trying time. The Ravenswood Resident Association looks forward to working with the Queens Public Library here in Ravenswood Houses.”
Additional Visuals Available Here
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages, technology and digital resources. Each year, the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational, cultural, and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors. With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens, the Library consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center located in the nation’s largest public housing complex, and has five teen centers, two bookmobiles, and two book bicycles.
Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016
