Blog posts

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, stop by your local QPL branch for great books, programs, and more—and stay for the air conditioning!

All open Queens Public Library locations except St. Albans 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 the NYC Cooling Centers webpage.

 

NYC Libraries Launch Citywide Summer at the Library Campaign to Support Students 

Initiative features giveaway of 15,000 books at select branches provided by the New York Life Foundation and highlights activities at branches across the five boroughs

JUNE 4, 2024—New York City’s three library systems—Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), New York Public Library (NYPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL) — announced today the launch of Summer at the Library, a series of events and programs held at branches across the five boroughs designed to support students of all ages over the summer. NYPL’s Brian Bannon, Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education, was joined by BPL President Linda E. Johnson and QPL President Dennis M. Walcott at Bronx Library Center for an event this morning with the New York Life Foundation, NYC Public Schools, and local students to kick off the campaign, which featured a book giveaway for attendees and activities held throughout the day for children and teens. 

The inaugural summer event celebrates the traditional summer programming that libraries have offered New York City’s students for decades. The three systems will continue the festivities this weekend with a special giveaway of 15,000 books for children, provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2024 city-wide sponsor for Summer Reading and Learning Programs. Books in English and Spanish for children ages 12 and under will be available at select branches throughout the City to further support Summer at the Library, which highlights the free activities, reading challenges and programs available to New Yorkers. 

“Summer is the season of possibility. You can explore the wonders of the city or travel to far off places from the pages of a book,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “With the generous support of the New York Life Foundation and the thousands of free books and resources available with your library card, there are endless opportunities for discovery this summer.”

“The New York Public Library is thrilled to kick off Summer at the Library with our friends at Brooklyn and Queens Public Libraries. Summer programming at New York City’s libraries has been a beloved community resource for decades and reflects our deep commitment to students. We know how important it is to have fun and educational opportunities that support lifelong learning and Summer at the Library ensures that our young patrons continue to have that support while they’re out of school. With the generous support of our long-time Summer Learning partner, the New York Life Foundation, we are able to make that happen. Whatever your plans are for the summer, the Library is here for you,” said Anthony W. Marx, President of The New York Public Library.

“Summer at the Library is this summer’s ultimate staycation. Everyone who comes through the doors of any public library can expect a great adventure without leaving the City of New York,” said Dennis M. Walcott, President and CEO of Queens Public Library. “The creative, dedicated staff at the Queens, Brooklyn and New York public libraries have developed an outstanding lineup of programs and activities that will transport people to new worlds in safe, welcoming and cool spaces. We are grateful to the New York Life Foundation for their tremendous support as we work to deliver the thrill of discovery and joy of learning to all.”   

“The New York Life Foundation is proud to be the 2024 city-wide sponsor for the Summer Reading Program. Since 2018, the Foundation has been the major supporter of the Summer Reading Program across all three public library systems reaching thousands of children.  We are excited to sponsor the second year of the New York Life Foundation’s Summer Book Giveaway, providing 15,000 free books to children across the city. Enriching summer programs, like the ones provided by the libraries, help children learn in a fun way during the summer months,” said Heather Nesle, President of the New York Life Foundation.

It is estimated that summer vacation causes the average student to lose up to two months of instruction per year and has a disproportionate effect on students from low-income families. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that home libraries and access to books from a young age contribute significantly to better educational outcomes for children. When children have books in their homes and are read to by parents and caregivers, they are not only more likely to do well in school, but also develop a greater awareness of the diverse experiences and perspectives of others. 

To combat learning loss, the New York Life Foundation has partnered with New York City’s libraries for the past six summers in support of summer programming and book giveaways for students. 

In addition to the book giveaways, the libraries will offer hundreds of activities planned throughout the summer including author talks, storytimes, reading challenges, writing contests, STEAM activities, arts and crafts, performances and more. Those 13 and up can explore expanded teen centers throughout the city and the whole family can checkout exhibitions and more through the Library’s Culture Pass program, providing free museum passes. Highlights from each system are highlighted below. Families and students can also learn more about events in their neighborhood at https://summerreading.org/.

Below are details about the book giveaway and summer programming at each of the three systems:

Brooklyn Public Library
12 noon to 3 p.m.

Thursday, June 6
New Lots Library. 655 New Lots Avenue

Friday, June 7
Brighton Beach Library, 16 Brighton Rd

Saturday, June 8
Sunset Park Library, 5108 Fourth Ave

In addition to the book giveaways, Brooklyn Public Library will offer a wide range of programs and resources for young people including performances, art programs, dance parties, author talks, and more. Highlights include:

• Reading with a Therapy Dog (Borough Park Library)

• Family Summer Concert Series (Park Slope Library) and
• BPL’s annual By Teens For Teens Summer Fair (Central Library), and 
• Browse the Branches: Pick up a booklet at any Brooklyn Public Library location. Visit a branch, collect its special sticker and place it in the corresponding entry of your Browse the Branches booklet. Win special prizes when you visit half or all the 62 branches.

To find out about dates and locations, check the calendar.This summer Brooklyn Public Library is also celebrating the tenth anniversary of Book Match. Get a customized list of books to read just for you, selected by a librarian, and stay tuned throughout the summer for more about this special program.

Queens Public Library

Book giveaways will be held at the following branches:

• Central Library (89-11 Merrick Boulevard), Thursday, June 6, 12 pm
• Corona (38-23 104 Street), Thursday, June 6, 12 pm
• Arverne (312 Beach 54 Street), Thursday, June 6, 12 pm
• Flushing (41-17 Main Street), Friday, June 7, 2 pm

In addition to the book giveaways, Queens Public Library will offer a series of engaging programs and resources for children and teens, including summer clubs focused on topics such as podcasting, architecture, robotics, manga, drones and 3-D modeling, as well as art workshops, reading challenges, dance classes, and more. Highlights include:

• Physical Storytelling: Telling Stories Without Words! (Woodhaven Library, Wednesday, June 5, 4 pm)
• International Animals Dance Party, a Singalong in Spanish and English (Glendale Library, Wednesday, June 12, 3 pm and Sunnyside Library, Friday, June 28, 2 pm)
• From the Statue of Liberty to the Barrio, A Musical Tour of NYC (Ozone Park Library, Friday, June 21, 11 am)
• Haitian Folkloric Dance For Kids (Lefferts Library, Friday, June 21, 4 pm)
• Fantastic Flowers with Queens Botanical Garden (Rego Park Library, Wednesday, June 26, 3:30 pm)

To check the full array of the QPL’s summer programming, go here. 

The New York Public Library

Book giveaways will be held at the following branches on June 8:

• Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (455 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan)
• St. George Library Center (5 Central Avenue, Staten Island)
• Bronx Library Center (310 E Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx)

In addition to the book giveaway, NYPL will offer a series of engaging programs for children and teens at neighborhood branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. A full list of programs available at branches system-wide is available here. Students attending today’s event were able to: 

• Write poems at a poetry-writing station,
• Plant seeds at Bronx Library Center’s greenhouse, 
• Create their own self-portrait to add to the branch’s community collage 
• Take a selfie at the branch’s photo booth. 

Over the past year, the Library has opened over 20 new or enhanced teen centers, which will also host unique and dedicated programs for young adults this summer. The teen centers are part of Teens 360º, a Library initiative and Tisch Youth Education Program led by the Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. These dedicated centers focus on interest-driven learning and innovative programs informed by teens themselves to support digital literacy and technology skills, teen empowerment and civic engagement, the exploration of teen voice and social identity, mental wellness, and mentoring opportunities. More information about the initiative and the programs and services created for teens is available here.  

Adults can also enjoy the summer reading challenges available at libraries, including a special reading challenge for adults (with a grand prize), sponsored by the National Book Foundation. Exciting events for adults happening at NYPL branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island – from book discussions and author talks to theater performances and birding workshops, there’s something for everyone this summer at the Library! 

 

Lead support for Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading 2024 program is provided by the National Grid Foundation.

The program is supported by Con Edison. CBS2/WLNY is the official media partner for Brooklyn Public Library's Summer Reading 2024.

Support for The New York Public Library is provided by Jane Lauder; The Rona Jaffe Foundation; New York Yankees Foundation; Montblanc; anonymous donors; and the continuing major support of the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences. 

These programs and initiatives are part of the Library’s overall commitment to our branch patrons and education programs, led by the Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.

  

About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

About The New York Public Library
For over 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars. The New York Public Library receives millions of  visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org.

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 a community learning center at another public housing complex, the Ravenswood Houses. It also has five teen centers, two bookmobiles, and two book bicycles. 

 

Contacts:    BPL – Fritzi Bodenheimer, 929.276.4232

                     NYPL – Amy Geduldig | amygeduldig@nypl.org | 212-592-7177

                     QPL – Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Join us in June as we celebrate this annual Day of Jubilee, all month long!

Check out our reading lists and resources and enjoy our in-person and virtual programs in honor of this important day in U.S. history.

All Queens Public Library locations will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

 

Juneteenth Programs

Juneteenth Books: Adult Fiction

Juneteenth Books: Adult Nonfiction

Juneteenth Books: Young Adult Fiction

Juneteenth Books: Young Adult Nonfiction

Juneteenth Books: Children's Fiction

Juneteenth Books: Children's Nonfiction

Juneteenth Resources

 

Juneteenth Programs

Join us for QPL’s Juneteenth programs for all ages, including arts and crafts, concerts, conversations, storytimes, and much more!

 

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Juneteenth Booklists

 

Adult Fiction

Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison
Book | Audiobook

Conjure Women by Afia Atakora
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Graphic Novel | Graphic Novel (eBook)

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehesi Coates
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Black Cloud Rising by David Wright Faladé
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge
Book | eBook

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Book | eBook

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Beloved by Toni Morrison
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Hell of a Book by Jason Mott
Book | eBook | Audiobook

River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Deep by by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Jubilee by Margaret Walker
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
Book | eBook | Audiobook

 

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Adult Nonfiction

Juneteenth Texas: Essays in African-American Folklore by Francis E. Abernethy, Patrick B. Mullen, and Alan B. Govenar

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Remembering Slavery by Ira Berlin
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Juneteenth: The Story Behind the Celebration by Edward Cotham
Book | eBook

The War Before the War by Andrew Delbanco

Black Reconstruction in America by W. E. B. Du Bois
Book | eBook

She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Forever Free: The Story of Emancipation and Reconstruction by Eric Foner
Book | eBook

The Second Founding by Eric Foner

Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow
by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Book | eBook | Audiobook

On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
Book | Audiobook

Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston
Book | eBook | Audiobook

To Raise Up a Nation by William S. King
Book | eBook

American Inheritance by Edward J. Larson
Book | eBook

The Failed Promise by Robert S. Levine
Book | eBook

Black Ghost of Empire by Kris Manjapra
Book | eBook

Sleeping with the Ancestors by Joseph McGill Jr. and Herb Frazier
Book | eBook

All That She Carried by Tiya Miles
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Last Slave Ship by Ben Raines
Book | eBook | Audiobook

How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole A. Taylor
Book | eBook

Freedom's Children by Velma Maia Thomas

Lest We Forget (eBook) by Velma Maia Thomas

Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo
Book | eBook | Audiobook

 

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Young Adult Fiction

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party
by M. T. Anderson
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Crossing Ebenezer Creek by Tonya Bolden
Book | eBook

Inventing Victoria by Tonya Bolden
Book | eBook

Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper
Book | eBook

Dream Country by Shannon Gibney
Book | eBook | Audiobook

This Is My America by Kim Johnson
Book | eBook

Riot by Walter Dean Myers
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi
Book | eBook

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Book | Audiobook

A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia
Book | eBook | Audiobook

 

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Young Adult Nonfiction

Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Passenger on the Pearl by Winifred Conkling
Book | eBook

In The Shadow of Liberty by Kenneth C. Davis
Book | Audiobook

Unequal: A Story of America by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau
Book | eBook | Audiobook

This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell
Book | eBook

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Book | eBook | Audiobook

 

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Children's Fiction

Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Build a House by Rhiannon Giddens and Monica Mikai
Book | eBook

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
by Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Annie and Juneteenth by Aletta Seales and Artkina Celestin

Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett and Daniel J. O'Brien

Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford and Yvonne Buchanan
Book | eBook

 

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Children's Nonfiction

The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate
by Alliah L. Agostini, Taffy Elrod, and Sawyer Cloud

Juneteenth by R.J. Bailey
Book | eBook

The American Civil War in Texas by Johanna Burke

Let's Celebrate Emancipation Day & Juneteenth by Barbara deRubertis
Book | eBook

Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth
by Alice Faye Duncan and Keturah A. Bobo
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Hidden Black History: From Juneteenth to Redlining by Amanda Jackson Green
Book | eBook

What Is Juneteenth? by Kirsti Jewel
Book | eBook | Audiobook

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis

Traditional African American Arts & Activities by Sonya Kimble-Ellis

Juneteenth by Julie Murray
Book | eBook

Juneteenth by Lynn Peppas

Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Real History of Juneteenth by Elliott Smith
Book | eBook

African-American Holidays by Faith Winchester

Juneteenth (Racial Justice in America: Histories) by Kevin P. Winn and Kelisa Wing
Book | eBook

Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom by Sharon Dennis Wyeth and Kim Holt
Book | eBook | Audiobook

 

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This image appeared on an 1865 recruitment poster encouraging African American men to join the Union Army’s United States Colored Troops. During the Civil War, the United States Colored Troops made up more than 10% of the Union Army, despite being prohibited from joining until July 1862, 15 months after the war began. (Source: African American Civil War Memorial Museum)

 

Juneteenth Resources

Learn About Juneteenth: A Day of Jubilee! (Virtual Brochure from QPL, Langston Hughes Library, and Queens Memory)

Juneteenth: The Legacy of Black Greek Organizations (QPL/YouTube, 2022)

Juneteenth - All About the Holidays (PBS Kids/YouTube)

Juneteenth Storytime: "Opal Lee And What It Means To Be Free" (Alice Faye Duncan Books/YouTube)

Opal Lee: Meet the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” (Biography.com)

The history behind the Juneteenth flag (WCNC Charlotte/YouTube)

Juneteenth Digital Toolkit (National Museum of African American History and Culture)

What Is Juneteenth? (HISTORY)

Celebrating Juneteenth, the Day Slavery Ended (The New York Times)

What is Juneteenth? (CBS News)

Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday (The New York Times)

The History Of Juneteenth (NPR Fresh Air)

Galveston, Texas, is the birthplace of the Juneteenth holiday (NPR)

United States Colored Troops History (African American Civil War Memorial Museum)

Fighting for Their Freedom: Historian Steward Henderson Talks about the United States Colored Troops (Emerging Civil War/YouTube)

How Black families, torn apart during slavery, worked to find one another again (NBC News)

DIY Confetti Poppers for Juneteenth (Crafting a Fun Life)

4 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with Your Kids 2022 (Indy's Child Magazine)

5 Juneteenth Celebration Ideas for the Entire Family (Verywell Family)

Great Ideas for Celebrating Juneteenth (HGTV)

Here are 50 Quotes to Better Understand Juneteenth (Parade Magazine)

How to Celebrate Juneteenth This Year (PureWow)

Juneteenth Printables (Primary Treasure Chest Resources)

25 Ideas to Help You Celebrate Juneteenth (The Cubicle Chick by Danyelle Little)

8 Ways to Teach Your Kids About the Importance of Juneteenth (PopSugar Family)

 

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Happy Pride Month!

Queens Public Library embraces the theme “Pride, Not Prejudice’’ as we celebrate the vibrant spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join us this Pride Month for an empowering lineup of events, including author talks, films, Pride crafts, and inclusive storytimes for families.

At QPL, we believe in the power of diversity and acceptance, providing a welcoming space where everyone can find connection and community.

Visit our Pride Month 2024 webpage.

QPL To Celebrate Expansion of Mitchell-Linden Library and Addition of New Computer Center

FLUSHING, NY_ Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott will welcome elected officials and community members to a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the expansion of Mitchell-Linden Library, located at 31-32 Union Street, and the addition of a new computer center to the branch on Friday, May 31 at 11 AM. 

The center added approximately 700 square feet to the branch, occupying the ground floor of a residential condominium since 2013, and expanding it to about 8,400 square feet. 

The newly added area offers access to nine computers, including one dedicated ADA station, and two printers. An ADA-compliant single-user bathroom has also been added. 

In addition, the space boasts an adult reading area with lounge seating as well as three tables with 12 seats and power outlets. 

A new portal entry from the main library space was built into the new computer center and new furniture and lighting have been installed. 

 

WHAT: Mitchell-Linden Library Expansion and Computer Center Opening

WHERE: 31-32 Union Street

WHEN: Friday, May 31 at 11 AM

WHO: QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott

            Elected Officials

            Library Staff 

            Community Members 

QPL Cuts the Ribbon on Its Transformed Elmhurst Library Garden 

National Grid Grant Supports Beautification of Elmhurst and Five Other Library Gardens

ELMHURST, NY _ Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott was joined today by National Grid representatives and community members at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the beautification of Elmhurst Library’s garden (86-07 Broadway) with shrubs, plants and flowers, providing a habitat for butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. In addition, significant improvements have been recently completed at five other library gardens - at the Windsor Park, Langston Hughes, Ridgewood, East Elmhurst and Glendale branches.

The upgrades were funded through a $140,000 grant from National Grid’s Project C, the company’s program designed to inspire and strengthen local communities, making a difference for years to come. The Queens Public Library Foundation (QPLF) was awarded a Project C clean energy and sustainability grant two years ago. Each of these gardens is now open to the public.

“Our revitalized gardens are truly precious spaces where people can enjoy our resources and the outdoors at the same time,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are grateful to National Grid for their partnership and generous support to help us develop and maintain these oases that are open and accessible to all.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Queens Public Library to help preserve and sustain these beautiful gardens,” said Eileen Cifone, Director of Stakeholder Engagement for National Grid. “This initiative not only enhances the library grounds but also provides invaluable spaces for Elmhurst community members to connect, learn, and enjoy nature. Supporting projects like these aligns with our continuing commitment, through Project C, to fostering sustainable and vibrant communities.”

NYC Libraries Rally to Restore $58.3M As Library Services Dwindle

Most Libraries Will Lose A Full Day Of Service If Cuts Go Through — In Addition to Continued Elimination of Seven-Day Service

Visuals available here

May 21, 2024 – The presidents of the city’s three public library systems will testify at the New York City Council Tuesday about the harmful impacts the $58.3M in proposed budget cuts would have on libraries. If enacted, these cuts would severely limit library service, with the vast majority of branches in all five boroughs being only open for five days a week. Currently, all NYC libraries are open for six days a week, a standard of service New Yorkers have enjoyed since a successful campaign in 2015. This is on top of the continued elimination of seven-day service, which was suspended in November following mid-year cuts.

Specifically, the cuts would mean -

• More than half of BPL branches dropping down to five-day a week service
• Close to 60% of NYPL branches will drop down to five-day service
• QPL will end Saturday service at all locations except Central and Flushing libraries

Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson, New York Public Library President and CEO Anthony W. Marx, and Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott will also call for an end to the so-called “budget dance,” which has led to staffing shortages, unplanned closures, deferred maintenance, canceled storytimes and additional harmful impacts. The testimony follows a 9 AM rally on the steps of City Hall with Library supporters.

Four times in the past four years (FY21 to now) libraries have been hit with damaging mid-year budget cuts. And last year, NYC libraries were spared from proposed budget cuts in June, only to be hit with significant mid-year budget cuts four months later, leading to the immediate elimination of seven-day service. On Tuesday, the presidents will testify that the continuous uncertainty surrounding library funding is making it virtually impossible to engage in long-term planning, including hiring and program planning – all of which harms New Yorkers who need the free services libraries provide the most.

Copies of their prepared remarks are available at InvestInLibraries.org.

If the proposed budget cuts go through, the majority of NYC public libraries will lose one full day of service, leaving most libraries open for just five days a week. All NYC public libraries have been open six days a week since 2015. The library presidents will also testify that they expect branches will be subject to frequent unplanned closures and reduced operating hours due to staffing shortages brought on by budget cuts and the fiscal uncertainty that has prevented hiring. This is all in addition to the continued elimination of most Sunday service from the earlier cuts.

 At the City Hall rally prior to the joint hearing of the Council’s Finance Committee and Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations Committee, Library leadership, staff, allies, union leaders, elected officials and supporters from throughout the five boroughs called for full restoration of library funding, citing the crucial role libraries play in every corner of the city.

The $58.3M in proposed cuts for FY25, if enacted, would have a lasting negative impact on library services and resources, in addition to the loss of universal six-day service and continued elimination of all seven-day service, including –

• Indefinitely delayed reopenings of renovated branches, many in historically marginalized communities. The cuts and proposed funding reductions mean we cannot afford to staff these branches.  
• Further reducing spending on library materials, programming, and building maintenance and repairs

Additionally, the City has cut $125M from the capital budgets for libraries, the first cut to library capital funding in 16 years. With over $1.125B in priority capital needs at public libraries, the City should be adding funding to the capital plan for libraries, not reducing them.

New Yorkers can send an online letter in support of New York City libraries to their elected officials through BPL, NYPL and QPL’s campaign page at InvestinLibraries.org. Already, 100,000 New Yorkers have sent online letters to City Hall.

“It’s clear that New Yorkers love and need their libraries. Yet here we are once again, tin cups in hand outside City Hall, pleading to have our funding restored. This budget dance is exhausting, and horrifically unfair to the patrons who rely on the vital services we provide in every corner of this city. Enough with the games – our funding should be restored and baselined,” said Anthony W. Marx, President of The New York Public Library.

“From increased visits to new card applications, demand for library service continues to grow. We should be delighted, but instead we may be forced to further reduce hours and programming, potentially losing yet another day of service just when our patrons need us most. Our City leaders know how much New Yorkers depend on their libraries, and we are hopeful that together, they will come to our aid and fully restore library funding,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public.

"This is the greatest city in the world, and New Yorkers should have the greatest public libraries, with weekend service, diverse programs, and robust access to books and other resources. Through the City Council’s tremendous advocacy, our ongoing partnership with the Administration, and the outpouring of support from the public, we remain hopeful we can find a way to fully fund libraries and prevent the dire consequences of the cuts from becoming a reality,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott.

“Libraries are important institutions that provide language classes, theater and music performances, access to technology, career and financial services, and countless other opportunities, all for free. The doors of the library are open to everyone, but with further cuts being proposed by the administration, those doors could be open only 5 days a week. Data demonstrates library usage has been rising and the City Council is firmly committed to restoring the funding to ensure these vital spaces have the resources they need to serve communities across the city,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries.

"Libraries offer critical services to our communities, our young people, and the most vulnerable among us. The $58.3 million in proposed budget cuts pose a detriment to our library systems on top of existing reductions to their operating hours, programming, and maintenance. New Yorkers need fully funded libraries to keep our city strong," said Henry Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37.

"Like so many New Yorkers, libraries have played a huge role in my life. I spent all of high school working at my local NYPL and getting to know all of the people that went to the library for books, computer access, community programs, and so much more. Debilitating cuts to libraries rob all of us of the resources that help us grow and bring us together. The Council will not turn the page on budget negotiations without a full restoration to library funding. It's what New Yorkers want, and it's what we deserve," said Council Member Shaun Abreu.

“Libraries are the beloved pillars of our communities, providing not just education and youth services, but forming the community foundations for public health and safety. Our libraries serve as sites of after school programming, hubs of community-based organizations, cooling centers in the summer, warming centers in the winter, and many other functions. The Mayor’s mid-year budget cuts have already severely limited the services that libraries can provide. Now, the Mayor's proposed FY25 cuts would seek to end universal six-day service for Queens Public Library. The Mayor’s decision to gut libraries is shameful; Mayor Adams is playing politics with our community’s well-being. I am calling on the Mayor to reverse the November PEG so that residents in Western Queens, and across the city, can once again access the knowledge, resources, and welcoming spaces that they deserve,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán.

“As a staunch advocate for education and community resources, I stand firmly with our public libraries in opposing the proposed budget cuts. Libraries are vital hubs of knowledge, support, and opportunity for all New Yorkers. These cuts threaten to undermine the essential services libraries provide, from job-search assistance and ESOL classes to safe spaces for children and teens. We must prioritize the funding necessary to keep our libraries open and fully functional. Together, we must ensure that every New Yorker has access to the invaluable resources our libraries offer,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse.

“Public libraries are among New York’s most important institutions. It is hard to imagine how they would have been developed from scratch today, but we are blessed to have inherited them from previous generations. We are obligated to help them survive and thrive, to the benefit of all New Yorkers. We must recognize the unparalleled contributions to education, public safety, and community-building that our libraries provide and commit to full investment in them – and absolutely never any cuts,” said Council Member Chi Ossé.

“Our public libraries are vital community hubs that provide essential services that New Yorkers depend on. The Mayor has already cut service to six days per week and has proposed closing all weekend library operations. This City Council will keep fighting to ensure our libraries secure the funding they deserve,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler.

“As a mother, I remember the very first time I brought my daughters to our local library – the joy and excitement in their eyes and their eagerness to explore all of the literature that the Brooklyn Public Library had to offer. Every child deserves to have access to the incredible resources our libraries provide, but the proposed cuts to our libraries will only hinder this. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in saying: No cuts to our libraries!” said City Council Member Susan Zhuang.

 

About the Campaign

The #InvestInLibraries campaign is a partnership between the city’s three public library systems—Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library—and other library supporters across the city.  Since the campaign launched in 2015, the City has allocated additional funding for programming as well as critical capital dollars to help address the over $1 billion in needs facing the city’s aging library infrastructure. Despite this important support, libraries confront rising costs and increased demand for more services and programs (from New Yorkers and the City). The campaign urges the City to restore and increase funding to meet rising needs, demands, and costs

 

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Contacts:

BPL: Fritzi Bodenheimer, fbodenheimer@bklynlibrary.org, 929-276-4232; NYPL: Amy Geduldig, amygeduldig@nypl.org, 212-592-7177; QPL: Elisabeth de Bourbon, edebourbon@queenslibrary.org, 917-650-3815

All Queens Public Library locations will be closed on Memorial Day Weekend: Saturday, May 25; Sunday, May 26; and Monday, May 27.

Our exterior return machines will also be unavailable. We are extending due dates, so any materials due during Memorial Day Weekend will now be due on or after Thursday, May 30.

We have scheduled systems migration and updates during Memorial Day Weekend, including a new automatic renewal service (learn more below).

From 6pm on Friday, May 24 to 9am on Tuesday, May 28, the following WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE:

• All QPL websites
• All QPL apps (mobile and tablet)
• Telephone Reference and Chat with a Librarian
• Telephone Renewal system
• Online Databases
• Digital Media (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, digital music, and streaming videos)
• Exterior Return Machines
• Mobile Library

Note that all customer check-out history prior to Friday, May 24 will no longer be accessible in your account. If you would like to save your check-out history, you can take screenshots of it from your account page on the app or website, or you may contact customer service for assistance.

We apologize for these inconveniences and thank you for your patience while we make improvements to our digital systems. In the future, you can look forward to text notifications and enhanced search capabilities—more information to come soon!

We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend.

 

AUTOMATIC RENEWAL

Starting Tuesday, May 28, most physical items checked out to your account will be renewed automatically at Queens Public Library!

What is automatic renewal?
This convenient service allows us to renew eligible library materials for you so you don’t need to! If renewal is available, you can keep items longer. Eligible items will automatically renew before they are due, up to three times.

Which items are eligible for automatic renewal?
Most physical items (books, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs, etc.) are eligible for up to three automatic renewals, as long as another customer is not waiting for them.

Which items are NOT eligible for renewal?
An item won’t automatically renew if:

• The item is requested for hold by another customer.
• It is a digital material (eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming videos, or music)
• It is an Interlibrary Loan
• The item has already been renewed the maximum number of times (three times).

How will I know if an item is automatically renewed?
We will send email notifications to you and the new due date for your item will appear on your account.

Can I still renew items myself?
Yes, you will still be able to renew items by logging in to your account, by using our self-checkout system, or by using our telephone renewal system.

 

Queens Public Library Installs Taiwan Book Corners at Forest Hills, Flushing and Bayside Branches

The books will remain on display throughout May in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

QUEENS, NY_Queens Public Library will mark Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the temporary installation of three Taiwan Book Corners – small displays with about 12 traditional Chinese novels, graphic novels, and children’s books as well as English translations of each – at the Bayside, Flushing and Forest Hills branches through the end of May. In addition, Forest Hills Library, at 108-19 71st Avenue, will celebrate the installation of its Taiwan Book Corner with conversations about two of the featured books on Thursday, May 9, from 5 to 6:30 PM.

Taiwanese writer Shih Shu-Ching, a prominent cultural figure in Taiwan and Hong Kong who now lives in New York, will discuss Taiwan Trilogy, her renowned telling of Taiwan’s history from the 1820s to 1947. The conversation will be conducted in Mandarin, and interpreted into English.

Following her talk, translator Lin King will discuss The Boy from Clearwater, a graphic novel depicting the story of human rights activist Tsai Kun-lin (1930-2023) alongside Taiwan’s modern history. Lin will share insights into the moving narrative, stunning artwork, and her translation process. This portion of the program will be presented in English. 

All of the books featured in the book corners were originally published in Taiwan, and encompass a variety of themes, such as women, LGBTQ+, Taiwan’s history and culture, and more. The displays were created in partnership with the Taipei Cultural Center in New York, which is part of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). All of the books will be integrated into the branches’ Chinese language collections.

 

WHAT:          “Taiwan Book Corners” inauguration featuring conversations with writer Shih Shu-Ching and translator Lin King

WHEN:          Thursday, May 9, 5-6:30 PM

WHERE:       Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71st Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375

WHO:            Nick Buron, QPL Chief Librarian

                      Lishan Chang, TECO Deputy Director General

 

CONTACT: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Queens Public Library is joining the national movement to bring awareness to mental health, and to fight the stigma that surrounds the topic.

Throughout the month of May, QPL will be offering programs, workshops, and resources designed to help everyone of all ages navigate their individual mental health journeys.

Join us to learn how contemporary life impacts mental health, build coping strategies that will help now and in the future, and develop the tools necessary to advocate for yourself, your families, and your community.

 

Mobile Library May Mental Health Tour

Join the QPL Bookmobile team this May for a journey across the borough in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month!

Our Mobile Library Mental Health Tour will promote mental health awareness through the power of music (thanks to our special guest, saxophonist/singer/songwriter Ashley Keiko), mindfulness, meditation, and the magic of literature.

Learn More about the QPL Mobile Library Mental Health Tour.

 

Mental Health Awareness Month Booklists

Books for Adults

Books for Young Adults

Books for Kids

 

Mental Health Awareness Month Programs

(click on each title for more information)

Easy Chair Yoga for All! (Program in Spanish) (In-Person)
Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22, 29, 12pm
Ridgewood
20-12 Madison Street

Stress Management for Teens with Dr. Naika (In-Person)
Wednesday, May 8, 4pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Friday, May 10, 3pm
Queens Village
94-11 217 Street

Monday, May 13, 3pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street

Health and Hip Hop for Teens with Easy A.D. (In-Person)
Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22, 4:30pm
East Elmhurst
95-06 Astoria Boulevard

Teen Mental Health Month: Get Up and Dance! (In-Person)
Thursday, May 9, 3pm
Poppenhusen
121-23 14 Avenue, College Point

Thursday, May 16, 3pm
East Elmhurst
95-06 Astoria Boulevard

Thursday, May 23, 3pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street

Thursday, May 30, 3pm
Forest Hills
108-19 71 Avenue

Healing Beats for Adolescents and Children (In-Person)
Thursday, May 9, 3:30pm
Cambria Heights
218-13 Linden Boulevard

Thursday, May 16, 4pm
South Jamaica
108-41 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica

Recovery International Support Group (In-Person)
Thursdays, May 9, 16, 23, 30, 6pm
Howard Beach
92-06 156 Avenue

National Alliance on Mental Illness of NYC: Ending the Silence Parent’s Workshop (In-Person)
Thursday, May 9, 6pm
Ridgewood
20-12 Madison Street

Adult Coloring and Conversation (In-Person)
Fridays, May 10, 17, 24, 31, 11am
Bellerose
250-06 Hillside Avenue

Mandala Coloring Therapy (In-Person)
Fridays, May 10, 17, 24, 31, 3pm
Poppenhusen
121-23 14 Avenue, College Point

Coloring for Stress Relief with Pilon Harlem (In-Person)
Friday, May 10, 3pm
Sunnyside
43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City

Tuesday, May 21, 2:30pm
Middle Village
72-31 Metropolitan Avenue

Adult Coloring Club (In-Person)
Saturday, May 11, 10am
Glen Oaks
256-04 Union Turnpike

Bailoterapia en Comunidad (Program in Spanish) (In-Person)
Saturdays, May 11 and 18, 11am
Langston Hughes
100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona

Get Your Ish Together: Coping with Stress (In-Person)
Monday, May 13, 3pm
Cambria Heights
218-13 Linden Boulevard

College Readiness: Mental Health and Wellness (Virtual)
Monday, May 13, 6pm
Join us on Microsoft Teams: https://queenslib.org/3xyPne

Color Therapy Adult Program (In-Person)
Tuesdays, May 14, 21, 28, 1pm
Douglaston/Little Neck
249-01 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck

Wellness Wednesday: Bath Bombs (In-Person)
Wednesday, May 15, 3:30pm
Cambria Heights
218-13 Linden Boulevard

Mindful Meditation for Parents (Virtual)
Wednesdays, May 15 and 29, 5:30pm
Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/3ZVtF0P
Meeting ID: 862 1659 0854
Passcode: 2023

Brain Education for Successful Aging (In-Person)
Saturday, May 18, 1pm
McGoldrick
155-06 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing

Wellness Wednesday: Soap Making (In-Person)
Wednesday, May 22, 3:30pm
Cambria Heights
218-13 Linden Boulevard

Teen Mental Health Month Journals (In-Person)
Friday, May 24, 3:30pm
Woodside
54-22 Skillman Avenue

Wellness Wednesday: Paint by Numbers (In-Person)
Wednesday, May 29, 3:30pm
Cambria Heights
218-13 Linden Boulevard

Meet Author Emilia A. Ottoo & QPL Hip Hop Coordinator Ralph McDaniels (In-Person)
Thursday, May 30, 6pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard

A Parent's Guide to Puberty and Adolescence (Virtual)
Thursday, May 30, 7pm
Join us on Microsoft Teams: https://queenslib.org/4az4fQ

 

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

NYC 988: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
NYC 988 is your connection to free, confidential mental health and substance use support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in over 200 languages.

NYC Department of Health: Health Topics: Mental Health
Learn about the City's mental health and substance use resources and services.

NYC Department of Health: NYC Teenspace
Teenspace provides free mental health support through licensed therapists to teens in NYC.

NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health: Resource Guides + Toolkits
Guides and toolkits providing information, resources, and skills to promote emotional well-being.

National Institutes of Health: Social Wellness Toolkit
A toolkit for learning new strategies and ways to improve your social well-being.

Safe Horizon, 1-800-621-HOPE (1-800-621-4673)
Safe Horizon provides assistance, advocacy, and support to victims who have experienced domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, youth homelessness, and other crimes.

Therapy for Black Girls
An online space dedicated to the mental wellness of Black women and girls; you can also use this resource to locate mental health professionals in your area.

Therapy for Black Men
A directory of mental health professionals and coaches that provide multiculturally-competent care for Black men.