By Nathan Duke
Community Board 5 Chairman Vincent Arcuri, who is also vice president of the borough public library's foundation, kicked off a campaign in early January 2004 to raise more than $1 million for the Glendale branch, which is located at 78-60 73rd Place, through elected officials who represent the community and private donors.Diana Chapin, executive director of the foundation, said Arcuri and other community leaders have made the renovation a priority for the community.”Queens Library at Glendale is a special place and clearly the community has special feelings for it,” she said. “People in Glendale invest in their community with their whole hearts.”The project, which is split into two phases, will probably cost more than $2 million when it is completed, Arcuri said.Chapin said the building's roof, which had been leaking and crumbling, has been replaced, and new rooftop air conditioning has been installed during phase one of the project. She said the building's windows are currently being replaced and more air conditioning will be put into place during the spring. A new children's room with eight computer workstations will also be constructed at the branch during the first half of the year, she said. Phase one of the project is expected to be completed by early 2009, she said. The library has stayed open during the renovations.Phase two of the project will add a new elevator and handicap-accessible bathrooms, Arcuri said. He said the library's foundation is still looking for benefactors and elected officials to provide an additional $1 million for the project's second phase.The library, which celebrates its 71st year in 2008, has become weathered in recent years, with much of its Italian Renaissance-style limestone and granite trim looking chipped and aged, while the building's outdoor garden and children's library were closed in the 1970s because of new safety codes.Arcuri spearheaded an Adopt-A-Branch renovation project for the building in 2004 and secured funds from state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale), City Councilman Dennis Gallagher (R-Middle Village) and former state Assemblyman Michael Cohen for the library's revitalization. Maltese said the upgrade has been a project long in the works.”It's an absolutely beautiful library, so I'm happy it's being preserved,” he said. “We've been trying to get money for it for such a long time. It's a well-used library and an architectural gem.”Maltese said the community has been traveling to other Queens Library branches in Ridgewood and Richmond Hill while the Glendale branch is renovated. Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
