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Queens Public Library And 5pointzlic Developer Reach Tentative Deal For A New Court Square Branch

Jackson Avenue Residential Complex Set to Replace QPL’s Former Home at One Court Square

QUEENS, NY _ Queens Public Library announced today that its Board of Trustees last night unanimously approved the terms of a lease agreement for a new Court Square branch at the 5PointzLIC residential complex at 22-44 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City.

The provisions negotiated with the development’s owner, G-M Realty L.P., include a fifteen-year lease, plus a five-year renewal option, for a 4,500-square-foot space on the building’s second floor. The lease is expected to be finalized and executed in the fall, and the estimated two-year construction project for the library could start as early as next summer. The branch replaces QPL’s location at the former Citi building at One Court Square, which closed in February 2020 following a change in building ownership.

"The board’s vote to approve the terms of the lease for a new Court Square branch is a critical step toward bringing library service back to one of New York City’s most vibrant neighborhoods and providing a welcoming, dynamic space that is open to all for free,” said Dr. Earl G. Simons, Chair of Queens Public Library’s Board of Trustees. “On behalf of my fellow trustees, I would like to thank President Walcott and his team for their hard work and determination to uphold the Library’s commitment to identifying a new space for the branch.”

“We have continuously made clear our resolve to find another site for a library in this ever-growing neighborhood, and we could not be happier about the prospect of reestablishing our presence there,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “As we approach the finish line to a lease agreement, I want to thank the many individuals and organizations who have brought us to this point, including Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Council Member Julie Won, Community Board 2, and the Department of City Planning. We also are deeply grateful to the local civic leaders and to the public for their unwavering support and advocacy.”

The deal comes as the Adams administration and Council Member Julie Won advance the Long Island City Neighborhood Plan, a comprehensive planning process to develop a vision for the future of the area.

"Our administration is dedicated to providing New Yorkers with the best library systems in the world, and the deal for the new Court Square Branch is proof of our commitment," said Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Workforce, and Economic Development. "The new Court Square Branch's co-location at the 5PointzLIC residential complex also fulfills our vision for ensuring New Yorkers are close to amenities and necessities. From the FY25 budget's significant investment in the library systems to this announcement, the Adams Administration is doing everything it can to ensure New Yorkers can easily access books, computers, youth resources, and everything else our amazing libraries provide. This project also shows the promise of the Long Island City Neighborhood Plan, as this library, as well as the LIC planning process, can only be completed with the partnership of many parties across levels of government, the private sector, and other civic leaders."

“Long Island City families deserve high quality, state-of-the-art library space — something those living in the Court Square area have been missing for more than four years since their original library’s closure. But I couldn’t be more excited that this local lack of library services is coming to an end,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Thank you to all our city and community partners who worked collaboratively to begin restoring library services for these families. I look forward to construction beginning as soon as possible.”

“After years of advocacy, Court Square Library at the 5PointzLIC building is finally moving towards reopening,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Court Square is a rapidly growing neighborhood and this new library will give our neighbors access to countless books, technology, and vital, free programming. I look forward to working with our partners at the Queens Public Library and the City to ensure that this project stays on track and does not experience further delays.”

“As we collaboratively develop the Long Island City Neighborhood Plan, we’ve heard directly from the community about the importance of investing in infrastructure and services like libraries. The re-opening of the Court Square Library reflects our shared commitment to addressing these needs through holistic planning,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning. “We look forward to continuing to work together with Council Member Won, Long Island City residents, and community stakeholders to build a more vibrant and inclusive future for LIC.”

“We are excited to have Queens Public Library here at 5PointzLIC, and we are thrilled that the Court Square community will once again have a great library branch,” said G-M Realty President David Wolkoff.

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 tech lab in the nation's largest public housing complex, five teen centers. It also has two bookmobiles and two book bicycles.

 

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

Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) celebrates the achievements of Hispanic Americans and their contributions to our nation and our culture.

Our theme “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together” embodies the essence of the Hispanic journey and pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of Hispanics and Latinos who have paved the way for future generations.

Explore our virtual and in-person programs, discover our special Hispanic Heritage booklists for all ages, check out our movie recommendations, download our informative Hispanic Heritage brochure, and don’t miss our Tapiz Cultural Art Exhibit at Central Library!

 

Hispanic Heritage Month Brochure

Tapiz Cultural Art Exhibit

Hispanic Heritage Month: Movie Lists

Hispanic Heritage Month: Programs

Hispanic Heritage Month: Adult Books

Hispanic Heritage Month: Young Adult Books

Hispanic Heritage Month: Children's Books

 

Hispanic Heritage Month Brochure

Our special Hispanic Heritage Month Brochure contains many interesting facts about Hispanic countries from around the world!

Pick up a copy soon at your local QPL branch, or download a digital copy now!

 

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Tapiz Cultural Art Exhibit

This vibrant art exhibition will showcase diverse, original artwork created by the Queens community. Our exhibit, centered around the theme “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” features pieces that beautifully capture memories, experiences, family histories, and personal stories.

Join us at Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, from Thursday, September 5 through Tuesday, October 8!

 

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Hispanic Heritage Month: Movie Lists

Here are some great movie picks in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month!

Check out our lists, and then borrow the DVDs from the Library!

Hispanic Heritage Movies Part 1

Hispanic Heritage Movies Part 2

 

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Hispanic Heritage Month Programs

We have nearly 100 wonderful virtual and in-person programs planned for this year’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, including concerts, book talks, art classes, panel discussions, storytimes, and so much more!

Here’s a selection of our programs. Click the title of each program to learn more about it, and visit our online QPL Calendar to see the full list!

 

Intro to Salsa Dance Workshop for Adults (In-Person)
Thursdays, September 12, 19, 26, 6:30pm
Hollis Library, 202-05 Hillside Avenue
Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, 6:30pm
Rochdale Village Library, 169-09 137 Avenue
Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, 3pm
Bayside Library, 214-20 Northern Boulevard

Costa Rican Rainforest Macaw Craft for Early Learners (In-Person)
Friday, September 13, 11am
Astoria Library, 14-01 Astoria Boulevard

Hispanic Heritage Month Festival (In-Person)
Saturday, September 14, 11am
Langston Hughes Library, 100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona

STEM Club for Kids: Celebrating with Costa Rican Crafts (In-Person)
Saturday, September 14, 2:30pm
Queensbridge Tech Lab, 10-43 41 Avenue, Long Island City

Pioneering Hispanic Accomplishments (Virtual)
Tuesday, September 17, 6pm
Join us on Facebook and YouTube

Hispanic Heritage: Toddler Time (In-Person)
Wednesdays, September 18 and October 2, 10:30am
Auburndale Library, 25-55 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Flushing

Read-Aloud with Local Children's Author Nathalie Alonso (In-Person)
Wednesday, September 18, 3:30pm
Woodside Library, 54-22 Skillman Avenue

Voices of Latin Music by Irene Failenbogen (In-Person and Virtual)
Wednesday, September 18, 6pm
Flushing Library, 41-17 Main Street
or join us on Zoom
Meeting ID: 837 1422 4225
Passcode: 0918

How to Make Latin Dishes with Tarsis Payano (Virtual)
Wednesdays, September 18-October 9, 6pm
Join us on Zoom

Culture Connection: Hispanic Heritage with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Composer Tania León (Virtual)
Wednesday, September 18, 6pm
Join us on Facebook and YouTube

Soprano Celia Castro Celebrates Hispanic Heritage! (In-Person)
Friday, September 20, 2pm
Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Wepa! Latin Dance For Kids with Urban Stages (In-Person)
Friday, September 20, 3pm
Sunnyside Library, 43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City

Celebrate with Mariachi Tapatío de Álvaro Paulino (In-Person)
Saturday, September 21, 1pm
Elmhurst Library, 86-07 Broadway

Celebrate with David Cedeño and his Orchestra (In-Person)
Saturday, September 21, 2pm
Jackson Heights Library, 35-51 81 Street

Superstar Latinas in STEM (Virtual)
Tuesday, September 24, 6pm
Join us on Zoom
Meeting ID: 897 8004 7455
Passcode: 817980

Author Talk with Felipe Luciano (In-Person)
Thursday, September 26, 6pm
Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Piñata Workshop for Families (In-Person)
Saturday, September 28, 2pm
Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Avenue
Saturday, October 12, 11am
Douglaston/Little Neck Library, 249-01 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck
Saturday, October 12, 2:30pm
Peninsula Library, 92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Beach

Mexican Bark Painting (In-Person)
Thursday, October 3, 3:30pm
Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison Street

Tapiz Cultural Artist Talk (In-Person)
Thursday, October 3, 5pm
Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Literary Thursdays: Melissa Rivero, Author of Flores and Miss Paula (Virtual)
Thursday, October 3, 6pm
Join us on Microsoft Teams

Hispanic Heritage Bingo (In-Person)
Friday, October 4, 3:30pm
North Forest Park Library, 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills

Latin American Cultural Milestones and Primacies (Program in Spanish) (Virtual)
Saturday, October 5, 2pm
Join us on Facebook and YouTube

Sunday Concerts at Central: William Cepeda's Afro-Rican Jazz (In-Person)
Sunday, October 6, 3pm
Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Hispanic Pioneers Bingo (In-Person)
Thursday, October 10, 3pm
Ozone Park Library, 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard

Literary Thursdays: Javier Fuentes, Author of Countries of Origin (Virtual)
Thursday, October 10, 6pm
Join us on Microsoft Teams

Latin Dance for Kids with Cucala Dance Company (In-Person)
Saturday, October 12, 3pm
Fresh Meadows, 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway

 

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Hispanic Heritage Month Booklists

 

Adult Books

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
Book | eBook | Audiobook

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Aleph by Paulo Coelho
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue

American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures by America Ferrera

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America by Juan González
Book | eBook | Libro

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez
Book | Libro

Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

The Puerto Rican War: A Graphic History by John Vasquez Mejias

Sacrificio by Ernesto Mestre-Reed
Book | eBook

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Flamin' Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man's Rise from Janitor to Top Executive
by Richard P. Montañez
Book | Libro

Love Poems by Pablo Neruda

Delirium by Laura Restrepo
Book | Libro

Havana Year Zero by Karla Suárez

Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

 

Más libros en español para adultos

Disrupción: más allá de la innovación de Mario Borghino

Mis recetas de cocina anticáncer de Odile Fernández Martínez

Foodtropia: cómo comer rico y sano de Paola Freire

Los 7 pasos para el éxito en el amor de Dra. Isabel Gómez-Bassols

Emma y las otras señoras del narco de Anabel Hernández
Libro | Libro electrónico | Audiolibro

La casa del placer de Zoé Valdés

El fixer de Miguel Ángel Vega

La invasión del pueblo del espíritu de Juan Pablo Villalobos

 

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Young Adult Books

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Frontera by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo (Illus.)
Book | eBook

The Making of Yolanda la Bruja by Lorraine Avila
Book | eBook | Libro

Más Freak de lo Normal (Libro) de Francisco Balbuena, Maximo Montero y Darwin Nuñez

¡Viva Lola Espinoza! by Ella Cerón
Book | Libro

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt de la Peña
Book | Libro | Libro electrónico | Audiolibro

Borderless by Jennifer De Leon
Book | eBook

Rima's Rebellion: Courage in a Time of Tyranny by Margarita Engle
Book | Libro

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa

Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira

No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado
Book | eBook | Libro

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
Book | eBook | Libro

Road Home by Rex Ogle

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Book | eBook | Audiobook

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro | Libro electrónico | Audiolibro

The Moonlit Vine by Elizabeth Santiago
Book | eBook

Northranger by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo (Illus.)
Book | eBook

We Are Not from Here by Jenny Torres Sánchez
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

When We Make It: A Nuyorican Novel by Elisabet Velasquez
Book | eBook | Libro

 

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Children's Books

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Book | eBook | Libro

Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses by Jen Arena and Blanca Gomez (Illus.)
Book | eBook

Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar
Book | Audiobook | Libro

Only for a Little While by Gabriela Orozco Belt and Richy Sánchez Ayala (Illus.)
Book | Libro | Audiolibro

Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez
Book | eBook

Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
Book | eBook

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro | Libro electrónico

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
Book | eBook

Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo
Book | eBook | Libro | Libro electrónico

Lucía the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza and Alyssa Bermudez (Illus.)

The Coquíes Still Sing
by Karina Nicole González and Krystal Quiles (Illus.)
Book | Audiobook

The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez
Book | eBook

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Definitely Dominguita: Knight of the Cape by Terry Catasús Jennings and Fatima Anaya (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Mexikid by Pedro Martín
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
Book | Libro

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez and Jaime Kim (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro | Audiolibro

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Libro

Martina Has Too Many Tías by Emma Otheguy and Sara Palacios (Illus.)
Book | Libro

Coquí in the City by Nomar Perez
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro | Libro electrónico | Audiolibro

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Libro | Libro electrónico | Audiolibro

Your Mama by NoNieqa Ramos and Jacqueline Alcántara (Illus.)
Book | eBook

If Dominican Were a Color by Sili Recio and Brianna McCarthy (Illus.)

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Book | Audiobook | Libro | Audiolibro

Abuela’s Super Capa by by Ana Siqueira and Elisa Chavarri (Illus.)
Book | Libro | Audiolibro

Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor and Lulu Delacre (Illus.)
Book | Libro

Blancaflor, The Hero with Secret Powers: A Folktale from Latin America by Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio Garcia Sanchez (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Libro

Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and John Parra (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook

 

Más libros en español para niños

Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El Rey del Futbol de Monica Brown y Rudy Gutierrez (Illus.)

Te quiero de Glòria Fort

Little Sunny Sunshine/Sol Solecito de Susie Jaramillo

Dream with the Latinitas/Sueña con las Latinitas de Juliet Menéndez

Plátanos Go With Everything/Los plátanos van con todo de Lissette Norman y Sara Palacios (Illus.)
Libro | Audiolibro

¡1, 2, 3 Merengue! English-Spanish Instruments & Sounds Book de Delia Ruiz
y Graziela Andrade (Illus.)

My Town/Mi Pueblo de Nicholas Solis y Luisa Uribe (Illus.)
Libro | Libro electrónico | Audiolibro

Abuelas: Cada una a su manera de Bea Taboada

 

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The 2024-2025 School Year is here!

Are you and your family feeling prepared for Back-to-School season?

QPL has got you covered! Learn about our Back-to-School programs, resources, book recommendations, and much more.

 

Back-to-School Guide

Queens Public Library is here for kids, parents, caregivers, and educators with our extensive Back-to-School Guide!

This year's Back-to-School Guide includes:

• Library Resources and Databases for Students
• Early Learning, School Aged, and Young Adult Booklists (which you can also find below)
• Articles about Preparing Children for the Back-to-School Transition and Teen Mental Health
• The 2024-2025 NYC Public School Calendar
• and much more!

You can download QPL’s 2024-2025 Back-to-School Guide in four languages:

• Our Back-to-School Guide in English
• Our Back-to-School Guide in Bengali (বাংলা)
• Our Back-to-School Guide in Chinese (中文)
• Our Back-to-School Guide in Spanish (Español)

 

Back-to-School Programs

Join us in-person at the Library for fun giveaways and get ready for the new school year.

Learn More about our Back-to-School programs.

 

Kick Off to Kindergarten & Toddler Learning Centers

You’re never too young to start your educational journey!

QPL’s Kick Off to Kindergarten (K2K) program enables young children (ages 3-5) to develop their early literacy skills—and begin a lifelong love of reading! Meanwhile, their parents and caregivers will receive guidance to become confident in their ability to support their child’s development. Classes are offered virtually and in-person, with translation support in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

Designed to serve the needs of toddlers (approx. ages 18-38 months) and their caregivers, QPL’s Toddler Learning Centers (TLCs) are hosted at multiple Queens Public Library locations across the borough. While your children play in a safe, nurturing environment and participate in guided activities, early learning professionals will offer you advice about speech development, nutrition, early literacy, gross motor development, and much more.

Our Fall 2024 K2K and TLC programs are starting soon; visit our Early Learning Services webpage for more information and to register.

 

College Readiness

Hey QPL Teens! Make sure that you’re getting ready to tackle your college applications, take your college entrance exams, and much more!

Queens Public Library’s College Readiness team is here to help you on your college admissions journey. On Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the school year, the Library hosts virtual programs led by experts in the college access field.

In addition, the College Readiness team also hosts in-person programs at the Central Library Teen Center, the Cambria Heights Teen Center, and the Far Rockaway Teen Library during school breaks.

We also offer college coaching services to students, parents, and guardians who want personalized help navigating the college admissions process. College coaches can help 9th-11th grade students get ready early for college admissions, help 12th grade students complete their applications at every step of the way, and help families find ways to pay for college.

For more information about these programs and resources, visit the QPL Calendar or contact the College Readiness team at college.readiness@queenslibrary.org.

 

Brainfuse HelpNow: Live Online Tutoring Available Every Day

Brainfuse HelpNow offers personalized academic and homework help, in both English and Spanish, for children in Grades K-12.

Find expert support in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science), a Language Lab for language learners, a 24/7 Writing Lab, SAT prep and practice tests, and much more.

Plus—live online tutoring is available every day from 2-11pm!

All you need to access Brainfuse HelpNow is your library card. Visit the Brainfuse HelpNow webpage to learn more.

 

Back-to-School Booklists

Here are some books from the Library for early readers, school-age children, and teens that will help kids deal with first-day-of-school anxiety, and get them excited for the classroom and beyond!

Early Learning

The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer

Olu's Teacher by Jamel C. Campbell and Lydia Mba (Illus.)

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Book | eBook | Audiobook (Read-Along)

El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! by Donna Barba Higuera and Juliana Perdomo (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Español

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

My First Day by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên
Book | eBook

Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich and Tom Toro (Illus.)

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook (Read-Along) | Español

 

School Aged

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español | Libro Electronico

New Kid by Jerry Craft
Book | eBook | Audiobook

The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber

All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
Book | eBook | Español

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee and Dung Ho (Illus.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Book | eBook | Audiobook

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits) by Lisa Yee and Dan Santat (Illus.)

 

Young Adult

Study Break: 11 College Tales from Orientation to Graduation by Aashna Avachat (Editor)

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth and Little Chmura (Illus.)

New York City SHSAT Prep 2022 & 2023 (eBook) by Kaplan Publishing

Goodnight Homeroom: All the Advice I Wish I Got Before Going to High School by Samuel Kaplan, Keith Riegert, and Emily Fromm (Illus.)

I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang

575+ Practice Questions for the Digital PSAT/NMSQT by The Princeton Review

SAT Power Vocab by The Princeton Review

The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Surviving Middle School: Navigating the Halls, Riding the Social Roller Coaster, and Unmasking the Real You by Luke Reynolds
Book | eBook

SHSAT Prep Books 2024-2025: 4 Practice Tests by Test Prep Books

Congratulations to the young people who participated in our Reading Challenge this summer, making them eligible for our Summer Reading Raffle!

We just finished our prize drawing, and here are our winners!

Early Learner Winners of UMIDIGI G1 Tab Kids Tablets
Anthony from Astoria Library
Julia from Glen Oaks Library
Rosalie from Ridgewood Library

Elementary Age Winners of Samsung Tablets
Devyn from Astoria Library
Benjamin from North Hills Library
Audrey from Sunnyside Library

Teen Winners of iPad Tablets
Cora from Astoria Library
Tsering from Elmhurst Library
Emily from Flushing Library

Thank you again to everyone who joined us this year for Summer Reading, and we hope that our programs, booklists, and resources kept you engaged and reading all summer long!

 

Oh, Baby! Queens Public Library Welcomes Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals to Its Collaboration with Elmhurst Hospital to Support Newborns and Their Caregivers Through "QPL Baby"

“QPL Baby” Program Promotes Maternal Health and Early Literacy for Children Ages 0 to 5 and Encourages Sign-Ups for the Library’s Special Edition Baby Card

(Flushing, NY – August 28, 2024) Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott today welcomed NYS Assemblyman Ron Kim, City Council Member Sandra Ung, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CEO Helen Landaverde, and Flushing and Jamaica Hospital Lactation Coordinator Ario Sutton-Pierre to Flushing Library to mark the expansion of "QPL Baby," a program that supports maternal health and fosters a love of learning from the earliest stages of a child's life.

QPL’s collaboration with its longtime partner, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, began in August 2021. At that time, QPL introduced a special library card for children ages 0 to 12 and assembled kits containing a QPL-branded baby bib and information about library resources – including a card application, a brochure with QPL’s offerings, a map of QPL locations, and a mailing list sign-up – for distribution to caregivers and their newborns when they leave the hospital. Elmhurst Hospital now distributes 2,800 kits each year. With the addition of Flushing and Jamaica hospitals to this collaboration, an additional 4,400 kits will be handed out this fiscal year.

“Anyone who has ever had or cared for a newborn, myself included, knows the excitement and joy of bringing a baby into our world,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “At the same time, there is so much for parents to know. With ‘QPL Baby,’ the Library wants to help start their children on a journey of learning and discovery with free access to life-changing resources and services. We look forward to collaborating with Flushing and Jamaica hospitals to expand the work we started with NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst.”

The QPL Baby program also provides virtual and in-person programming about early childhood development and maternal health. This information, along with details about getting a card, a mailing list signup, and recommended resources, is available on the QPL Baby section of the QPL website.

To date, the Library has issued 15,000 baby cards since the program’s inception. The QPL Baby library card features a fairy tale illustration of a bear reading to a cub, surrounded by the forest, designed to reinforce the close bond between a parent reader and a listening child.

Also on Wednesday, President Walcott and a Flushing Library staff member read a bilingual book in Chinese and English to dozens of children during a regularly scheduled storytime at the branch.

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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 at the Queensbridge Houses, 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.

Contact: Elisabeth de Bourbon, QPL, 917-650-3815, edebourbon@queenslibrary.org

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 Elmhurst and Long Island City 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.

 

by Francesco Ferrari, MD and Abby Alten Schwartz, writer

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis was brewing in pediatric behavioral health with an estimated one in five kids living with a mental health disorder. The circumstances of the last three years have only made matters worse.

A key part of brain development in teenagers is an increased drive for peer connectedness, which starts in middle school. Forming friendships, joining groups, and participating in extracurricular activities is how teens figure out who they are and who they want to be.

While physical distancing was a necessary precaution during much of the pandemic, there were major implications for some teens. By one estimate, the rates of anxiety and depression among kids and adolescents have nearly doubled.

We’re seeing this play out in a number of ways, such as an increase in the number of kids refusing to go to school and withdrawing from social interactions. Keep in mind: Kids aren’t just learning academic subjects at school, they’re also learning social and emotional skills that are critical to their development. Pausing that for a year or more can have profound effects, though the level of impact varies by child.

But the pandemic isn’t the only reason so many teens are in crisis. The proliferation of smartphones and social media platforms has also had a detrimental effect on mental health.

In many ways, technology helped mitigate isolation during the pandemic, but that upside didn’t negate the challenges inherent in social media. Apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram present our kids with versions of their peers they can never live up to. Teens compare themselves to carefully cultivated images that don’t reflect reality and, as a result, may feel heightened anxiety or depression.

Adding to this, increased screen time disrupts schedules, sleep patterns, and social interactions, which can harm mental health. There’s also the matter of 24/7 exposure to troubling global and national events from climate change to gun violence. Teens of this generation are under constant bombardment by alarming videos and social media posts that are formulated to grab their attention.

One other contributing factor to adolescent anxiety and depression is online bullying, which can send an already at-risk individual into a crisis that requires acute care in an emergency room or psychiatric facility. Again, this is a problem that’s been building since before the pandemic.

The bottom line is our teens need us now more than ever. As medical professionals, educators, and parents, we have a responsibility to show up for the youngsters in our community and offer support. Here’s what that can look like:

Clinicians: Teens need to be screened at their regular primary care appointments and other touchpoints. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry have put out recommendations for screening both young kids and adolescents for anxiety and depression.

Teachers: There’s no denying that the demands on educators have increased tremendously over the last few years. Still, the fact remains that teachers are uniquely positioned to observe our kids, spot any concerning behaviors, and to check in and reassure students that their classrooms are safe places. If you are an educator, be sure to keep the lines of communication open with kids and their parents, bring in guidance counselors, if needed, and keep your eyes open to any signs that indicate a teen is struggling.

Parents: Check in regularly with your kids and make it clear that they can come to you with anything. Teenagers often withhold information from their parents because they are afraid of burdening them with another worry. Let them know nothing they can say will scare you off or be too much to handle. Tell them, “I’m here for you no matter what. We are in this together and we will find a solution and get you help.”

Demand is high for mental health appointments—both adult and pediatric. Timely access to treatment is a challenge that isn’t going to be solved overnight, but medical professionals are aware of it and working on solutions to open more avenues to care.

One good effect of the pandemic was it normalized telemedicine as a viable alternative to in-person appointments. In addition, many hospital emergency departments are addressing the increased need for pediatric mental health services. And while these are good (and necessary) steps, there’s still more to do.

This is because teens need to feel connected to their peers, to adults, and to their surrounding communities. One of the healthier ways we can respond to trauma or tragedy is to try to create positive change. Talk to your kids about current events and find out what matters to them.

For some teens, getting involved in activism or volunteerism can increase their sense of agency and help them feel they’re working toward something good in the world. With a massive problem such as climate change, your child may question how taking action as an individual is going to make a difference. But finding others with similar interests and goals is a great reminder that while our society may feel divided, we share more in common with our neighbors than we may think.

The bottom line is that our teens are paying attention to the adults in their lives and the world around them. We need to do the same for them by being present, checking in, and getting them the mental health support they deserve. Our teens will be the ones leading the way to improve our world—so let’s help them develop the confidence and resilience they’ll need.

This article originally appeared at: https://thewell.northwell.edu/emotional-wellness/addressing-depression-and-anxiety-in-teens

by Laurel Bongiorno, PhD

1. Children learn through their play.

Don’t underestimate the value of play. Children learn and develop:

cognitive skills – like math and problem solving in a pretend grocery store
physical abilities – like balancing blocks and running on the playground
new vocabulary – like the words they need to play with toy dinosaurs
social skills – like playing together in a pretend car wash
literacy skills – like creating a menu for a pretend restaurant

2. Play is healthy.

Play helps children grow strong and healthy. It also counteracts obesity issues facing many children today.

3. Play reduces stress.

Play helps your children grow emotionally. It is joyful and provides an outlet for anxiety and stress.

4. Play is more than meets the eye.

Play is simple and complex. There are many types of play: symbolic, sociodramatic, functional, and games with rules–to name just a few. Researchers study play’s many aspects: how children learn through play, how outdoor play impacts children’s health, the effects of screen time on play, to the need for recess in the school day.

5. Make time for play.

As parents, you are the biggest supporters of your children’s learning. You can make sure they have as much time to play as possible during the day to promote cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development.

6. Play and learning go hand-in-hand.

They are not separate activities. They are intertwined. Think about them as a science lecture with a lab. Play is the child’s lab.

7. Play outside.

Remember your own outdoor experiences of building forts, playing on the beach, sledding in the winter, or playing with other children in the neighborhood. Make sure your children create outdoor memories too.

8. There’s a lot to learn about play.

There’s a lot written on children and play. Here are some articles and books about play from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/play. David Elkind’s book The Power of Play is also a great resource.

9. Trust your own playful instincts.

Remember as a child how play just came naturally? Give your children time for play and see all that they are capable of when given the opportunity.

10. Play is a child’s context for learning.

Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks. Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem.

Laurel Bongiorno, PhD, is the director of Champlain College’s graduate program in early childhood education, with specializations in teaching and administration, in Burlington, Vermont. She has taught preschool, directed early childhood programs, and studied parents’ perceptions of preschoolers’ learning through play.

Copyright © 2013 NAEYC®. Reprinted with permission.

by Erika Mark, DO, Northwell Health

12 tips on how your child can get back to the swing of things this upcoming school year.

Children are headed back into the classroom, filled with excitement. Still, back-to-school can mean a big transition physically and mentally for kids and their families, especially after facing so many unknowns over the last two years.

As a physician in pediatric care at Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, I’ve spent 10 years caring for kids. And as a mom, I’ve developed 12 recommendations so children start the school year feeling their best.

1. Check in frequently.

The mental and physical well-being of 73 million American kids is at risk and getting worse. When kids face challenges, listen to them, validate their emotions and remind them of previous successes when they showed strength. They may not share feelings immediately, so connect over a fun activity like a game, puzzle or a walk.

2. Engage with their teachers and schoolwork.

If your child is nervous about the first day, set up a meeting with new teachers before school starts or during the first few weeks of the term to get acquainted and learn their teaching style. When school starts, review your child’s school folder together nightly, praising successes and talking through struggles.

3. Establish a routine.

Partner with your child to develop a routine that your child can own with your support. This helps build confidence, instill self discipline and give a sense of security. Set an alarm in the mornings, eat breakfast and leave the house at the same time daily. In the afternoons, children should do homework at the same time and location each day.

4. Get regular physical activity.

Physical activity in kids across the world declined by 20% during the pandemic, so it’s time to get moving again. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends school-aged children get 60 minutes or more of moderate to-vigorous physical activity daily. Incorporate activities based on your interests, time and resources. Consider encouraging children to participate in sports, take after-dinner family walks or visit a park and play catch as a family.

5. Keep them hydrated!

Drinking enough water regulates body temperature, supports joints, gets rid of waste and may even improve cognitive function in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids and teens drink five to eight cups of water per day, depending on age. Kids can start the day off right with a full cup of water or milk. Double-check their water bottle is full when they go to school and empty when they return. Refill it once they are home.

6. Establish a solid bedtime routine.

Kids need anywhere from eight-to-12 hours of sleep depending on their age. Help kids quiet their minds by setting a bedtime routine: Including bathing or showering, brushing teeth, getting in jammies and snuggling while reading books for 20-30 minutes together. Avoid screens two hours before bedtime, focusing more on quiet activities. Consider downloading a sleep app with sleep stories, sounds and meditations.

7. Involve kids in making healthy lunch choices.

When packing my kids’ lunches, I like to provide two or three choices. Thermoses are great for a hot lunch of leftovers or soup. If your child is a snacker, offer to fill a container with deli meat, cheese, crackers and fruit. I always pack a vegetable, and even if it is left untouched, it provides a good reminder of its nutritional importance. Find healthy foods the whole family loves while including the occasional treat – everything in moderation.

8. Protect against upper respiratory infections.

When back-to-school season transitions to holiday season, health experts agree we will see an uptick in cases of COVID-19, influenza and the common cold. The top preventatives include up-to-date vaccinations, such as COVID-19 boosters and flu shots. Good hygiene counts too. Put hand sanitizers in backpacks and the car. Have kids wash hands when returning home. Teach them to cough into the corner of their arm. If they get sick, contact your pediatrician to see if they need an evaluation. Keep them hydrated. Children should pee at least four-to-six times daily. If it's less than that and they're vomiting or not drinking, they need to see a healthcare provider.

9. Review and update immunizations.

From COVID-19 and HPV vaccines to tetanus and flu shots, immunizations ensure families stay healthy with protection against some of the most common – and preventable – diseases. Work with your family physician and school administrators to ensure your kids are current on all required immunizations. Make an appointment as soon as possible if you are behind on any school required vaccinations.

10. Set and communicate allergy and asthma action plans.

If your child has asthma or an allergy that can cause anaphylaxis, have a documented plan in place in case of emergency. Ensure the school has your child’s EpiPen and inhalers on hand and that your child’s teacher is familiar with the plan.

11. Stock your medicine cabinet.

Include prescriptions, over-the counter medications, a thermometer, ice packs and a first aid kit that includes Band-Aids in all sizes. Stock your preferred pain-reducing/ anti-fever medication. Ask your pediatrician the correct dose now, so it’s available for those nighttime fevers. Keep Pedialyte drinks or popsicles on hand for rehydration when your child is ill. Avoid juice, soda or Gatorade.

12. Know your options for after-hours medical help.

Plan where you will take your child if sick or injured after hours. Save your pediatrician’s after hours phone number, so it’s ready for middle-of-the-night questions. Determine which after-hours resources are accessible. Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care is open 8am-8pm every day with virtual and in-person care that is designed for kids and staffed by experienced pediatric providers. With 55 urgent care centers across New York, we treat patients ages six months and older for non-life-threatening conditions, including flu, fever, earaches, insect bites, sprains, simple fractures and cuts requiring stitches.

Erika Mark, DO, is a pediatrician at Cohen Children’s Northwell Health GoHealth Pediatric Urgent Care.

This op-ed originally appeared in The Long Island Press and at: https://www.northwell.edu/news/insights/preparing-children-for-the-back-to-school-transition

The Broadway Library is now open to the public! Left to right: QPL Chief Librarian Nick Buron, Broadway Library Manager Lubomira Kierkosz, DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley, State Senator Michael Gianaris, Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas and CB1 Chair Evie Hantzopoulos

QPL’s Broadway Library in Astoria Reopens Following Expansion and Renovation

Major upgrades were made to the lower level, including the addition of a spacious lobby area, computer center, classrooms, and other enhancements

(Queens, NY – August 12, 2024) Queens Public Library President Dennis M. Walcott, NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, community leaders and library staff today marked the reopening of Broadway Library in Astoria with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the $4.6 million transformation of the two-story building’s cellar, creating more space for public use.

Located at 40-20 Broadway, the library’s underutilized, 6,120-square-foot basement storage area was redesigned and expanded to create a large lobby with a spacious front desk and other amenities, including a new computer center with 30 desktop computers, multiple charging outlets, and tables for reading and laptop use. Other improvements include updates to an existing classroom and meeting room with a stage area, including new flooring, repainting and the installation of a foldable partition that can combine or separate both rooms.

Modern lighting fixtures and new ceiling and flooring finishes are among the other enhancements. Since the library is located on top of a subway station, the rumbling of trains had caused cracks in the floor over the years, requiring the addition of a new vibration-proof layer built into the floor to protect the new finishes. To do this, the concrete was removed, a one-inch layer of bond breaker was poured and then a brand new concrete slab was poured on top. After this layer of protection, the final finishing layer of terrazzo flooring was installed.

A new, dedicated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and multiple ADA-compliant restrooms and a staff room were also installed.