National Library Week is April 2-8. I want to take this opportunity to tell you what to expect from your Queens Library.
Queens Library is a favorite resource for education, business, and recreation. Queens Library will lend 20 million books, videos, CDs and more this year. Stacked up, they would equal 59 times the height of Mt. Everest. Millions of other print and online resources were consulted inside the library. Three million people used the library’s public-use computers. Half a million enjoyed free library programs.
We’re improving Queens Libraries to serve you better. Every library in Queens that isn’t newly built will be renovated for better customer service over the next three years. Queens Libraries in Briarwood, Forest Hills, Hillcrest, Jackson Heights, Pomonok, and St. Albans will be underway in the coming months. The renovations will include the installation of faster-than-lightning full-service library self-checkout kiosks. If you think we are moving materials out rapidly now, wait until you try one of these — almost no lines to wait in, with up to 16 books or videos checked out in less than a minute.
Most libraries will have their community meeting rooms renovated. They will be redecorated, and many will have other enhancements as well, perhaps an elevator or new heating or air conditioning, as needed. We are currently developing a first in the library industry — an automated exterior book drop available 24 hours a day, seven days a week that will open with your library card and the item will be automatically returned to your account within seconds.
A full refurbishing will begin at the Central Library in Jamaica, in conjunction with the building of the Children’s Library Discovery Center.
We recognize that such an ambitious improvement campaign is bound to cause some inconvenience to you, our customers. Community libraries will have to close for a period of a few days to a few months to allow for construction. To bridge the gap, we will be rolling out a new Bookmobile this spring. It will not provide the full-spectrum library service you are used to, but you will be able to borrow books and videos and get some basic reference service. Of course, neighboring libraries are always available for your use. This is a great time to take advantage of Facts by Phone (718-990-0714); our website www.queenslibrary.org; or Ask A Librarian at www.queenslibrary.org/infoline for answers to factual questions. Students can find a lot of help at www.kidslinq.org, www.teenlinq.org or www.homeworknyc.org.
A free Queens Library borrower’s card is the key to enriching your life. You can apply online at www.queenslibrary.org or come in to any community library. Just show identification with your name and address and you are on your way.
Enrich your life. Visit your library today.
— Thomas W. Galante is Library Director, Queens Library. He can be reached at tgalante@queenslibrary.org.
