Dear Friends,
As our nation and our city commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks today, we at Queens Public Library honor the nearly 3,000 individuals who lost their lives when four hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
We also recognize their loved ones and the many people who endured — and still endure — the emotional, mental, and physical toll of that sorrowful, devastating day. And we remember the extraordinary courage, resilience, compassion, and sense of solidarity that emerged in the face of this tragedy and defined us for a time as well.
September 11 brought changes to our lives that were impossible to imagine 25 years ago. An entire generation has grown up since then, yet the impact of that day continues to unfold. We hope the Library can be a place where people are able to reflect on September 11, 2001, consider all that has transpired since then, and find solace.
Yesterday, Cambria Heights Library presented “Remembrance, Reflection, Resilience: Letters Never Sent,” a poetry reading and workshop where customers wrote letters expressing their feelings about the tragedy. Forest Hills Library will offer this program later in the month. Today, our Bellerose, Central, East Flushing, Glen Oaks, McGoldrick, and Ozone Park libraries will screen a film produced by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum featuring first-hand accounts from people directly impacted by the attacks. Windsor Park Library will show the documentary “102 Minutes That Changed America,” and Arverne Library will honor 9/11 heroes with a crafts and learning activity.
We invite you to visit our Queens Name Explorer website, featuring profiles and photos of the people commemorated through the naming of 109 parks, streets, and schools across Queens after they lost their lives on September 11, 2001, or from 9/11-related illnesses. The entries are divided into four geographic areas: Northwestern Queens, Central Queens, West Central and Southern Queens, and Northeastern Queens.
We hope you are able to take the opportunity to learn about these individuals, and know that you can count on us, today and always.
Sincerely,
Dennis M. Walcott
President and CEO, Queens Public Library