Library re-opens

After a $140,000 facelift promising faster checkout and more pleasant surroundings, the Queens Library at Briarwood officially re-opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 16.
The ninth to be completed in a planned renovation of the entire 63-branch public library system, Library Director Thomas W. Galante and City Councilmember James F. Gennaro, who secured funding for this and two other branch upgrades currently under renovation in his district, were on hand to celebrate the re-opening of the brightly painted, hi-tech space.
According to Jimmy Van Bramer, Queens Library's Director of Government and Community Affairs, patrons will be greeted by a new paint job, tiles, carpeting, furniture and fixtures featuring cheery colors like yellow, blue, green and red and refreshed book, video and music collections. Most notably, the branch now features a Radio Frequency Identification self-serve checkout system similar to those used in some grocery stores and other locations.
&#8220Basically, it's E-ZPass for libraries,” said Van Bramer.
Because the self-serve system takes less space than a conventional checkout desk, there is also a new young adult section designed to appeal to teenagers, more desktop computer workstations and new laptop work counters.
The Briarwood branch is located at 85-12 Main Street and is closed on weekends. For more information call 718-658-1680 or visit www.queenslibrary.org.