By Dustin Brown
The bond between libraries and schools is deep-rooted, going beyond books and media to a shared philosophy about public access to education.
That natural affinity was transformed into a concrete partnership last week when public officials pressed shovels into dirt laid across the paved surface of the PS. 111 playground, breaking ground on a new Long Island City branch of the Queens Public Library.
The library was heralded by politicians and library representatives alike as a long-needed addition in western Queens, one that would build on community programs that have already been initiated between PS 111 and its neighbors.
“We’ve had totally inadequate library facilities in this part of the borough,” said Queens Library Director Gary Strong, “so this really enhances our ability to serve this part of the borough.”
The idea was to form a partnership between the library and school.
“They are not separate — they go together,” said City Council Speaker Peter Vallone (D-Astoria), a candidate for mayor, as he addressed the crowd at the groundbreaking. “It’s all part of the same educational system.”
The $7.2 million facility is slated to be completed by fiscal year 2003.
It is to be constructed on what is now the southeastern corner of the school’s playground, at the corner of 21st Street and 38th Avenue. The playground was chosen as a more suitable alternative to a triangular sliver of tree-lined city property in the front of the school, known as Placcella Park, where the library originally was to be built.
The city will swap the Placcella property for the section of the school yard where the library is planned, creating a playground that will curve around two sides of the school. As part of the plan, 14th Street, which cuts between PS 111 and the park before merging into 21st Street at the end of the playground, will be closed to traffic and developed as another part of the PS 111 outdoor space.
PS 111, which was taken off the chancellor’s SURR list of low-performing schools just this past year, has faced chronic educational problems, which many leaders said would be eased by the infusion of resources from the library.
“It is a school that many have described as being in an educational crisis,” said City Councilman Walter McCaffrey (D-Woodside). “I believe that the connection to the library can enhance the school in its mission of helping the children.”
Charles Celauro, the principal of PS 111 since last year, described the library as a “unique, resourceful answer to providing service delivery to the community.”
“We’re going to be able to make this school area the hub for the community,” Celauro said.
Library offerings are expected to add to a community program already in place at PS 111 called the Welcome Center, which provides services to the children and parents of a neighborhood that includes the Queensbridge Houses, the largest public-housing development in the country.
“I had almost given up hope that this particular project would be realized,” said Dr. Angelo Gimondo, the superintendent of Community School District 30, which includes PS 111. “So for me, today is like a dream come true.”
Reach reporter Dustin Brown by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 154.
