LIC gets new library

Local elected officials and members of the community joined Queens Library as it celebrated the opening of a Long Island City branch at 37-44 21st Street.
The new library, which cost $9.48 million to construct, received funding from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, New York City Councilmember Eric Gioia and New York State Assemblymember Catherine Nolan.
“Queens Library joins the community in thanking Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Borough President Marshall, Assemblymember Nolan and City Councilman Eric Gioia for their vision and support in funding the new Queens Library at Long Island City,” said Library Director Thomas W. Galante. “It brings a universe of education and opportunity for all age groups and all interests. It is also such a beautiful building, it will surely be a source of neighborhood pride.”
The opening celebration on Friday, June 15 began with the Approaching Storm Marching Band. As community members filled the library to hear about the new facility, they were entertained further with performances by students from P.S. 111, P.S. 84, P.S. 166 and the Goodwill Industries After School Program at P.S. 111.
“Every child in our neighborhood and in this city should have a library within walking distance of their school,” Gioia said. “The new Queens Library ensures our children will have the opportunity to read a book and learn about the world.”
Queens Library at Long Island City is a full-service library that also has an adult learning center. It has more than 35,000 books, videos and other items, along with 12 wireless laptops available for use inside the library, among other features. The architect for the project was Raymond Gomez & Associates, and the artwork on the building’s faade is “Diagonal Sonata/Asymmetrical Inversion” by Toshio Sasaki, who recently passed away.
“It will be heavily used and reap a rich dividend in the future when the knowledge within these walls is absorbed and used by a new generation of readers, who will be able to improve their language skills, discover the magical world of computers, enhance their career opportunities and improve their healthcare and well-being. This long-awaited library will become a focal point in the community.”
Nolan added, “Libraries also play a vital role in the education of our young people and this library will be a tremendous resource for the children of P.S.111 next door and for all of the schools in our neighborhood.”