Queens Library honored as ‘Library of the Year’

Queens Library has been honored as “Library of the Year 2009” by Library Journal, the oldest publication covering libraries in the country – the first time a New York library has won the award.
“We are deeply honored by this recognition,” said Queens Library CEO Thomas W. Galante. “Queens Library’s staff delivers world class service every day. They enrich lives.”
Mary Ann Mattone, President of the library’s Board of Trustees pointed out that the 18-member board, appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, “work incredibly hard along with the dedicated staff under their supervision.”
She also commended Joseph Ficalora, chair of the Queens Library Foundation’s Board and CEO of New York Community Bancorp for his “tireless work” to help fund the library’s mission.”
The official announcement was made on the City Hall steps, on Friday, June 12, with government officials, library representatives and members of the Library Journal in attendance.
“With the libraries working harder than ever before to help people in economic distress, the competition for the award this year was greater than ever,” said Library Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Francine Fialkoff.
Fialkoff said they looked for the library that most profoundly contributes to the delivery of services, and demonstrates creativity, innovation and the development of model programs.
“No other library so brilliantly fulfilled these goals,” she said.
The Queens Library award is the cover story for Library Journal’s current issue. The article points out that the library lends out more materials than any other in the U.S., while running 2,300 programs. These programs serve a wide array of individuals, from pre-teens to non-English speaking adults.
“We have 62 library branches, 25 of which have been completely gutted out and reconfigured to meet current service needs,” Mattone declared, adding, “Three new libraries are under design and about to go into construction.”
Mattone said that in addition to the free educational, cultural and entertainment programs, “We have 20 million items in circulation.”
She added that to serve the most diverse county on the planet, the Queens Library functions in 160 languages. “Remember that of our 2.27 million users, 55 percent do not speak English at home,” she said.
The official award ceremony will take place in Chicago this summer, during the American Library Association Annual Conference. It comes with a $10,000 cash price.
Galante said that the library has not decided where the money will go, but he mentioned staff recognition, buying more books or funding programs as a few possibilities.
Fears that proposed budget cuts could force the library to cut back on services, eliminate Saturday hours and even cut back hours during the week were allayed by the budget agreement reached between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn on Monday, June 15.
“Of 15 million in cuts this year, 12 million has been restored, which averts layoffs and reduced hours,” Mattone said. “We’ll have to raise the rest.”