Renovations Shut Branch Until Summer
Book lovers and students will be without the full services of the Woodhaven library for several months after tomorrow, Friday, Mar. 8, as the branch will close for its long-awaited renovation, it was announced.
When the library closes at the end of its business day Friday, the branch located at 85-41 Forest Pkwy. will shut down through summer as the Queens Borough Public Library renovates the interior of the facility and installs a new automatic self-check in system.
Queens Library, however, announced that a temporary library space will be established on the lower level of the library and open later this month. Individuals are welcome to use other branches of Queens Library, including the Glendale (78-60 73rd Pl.), North Forest Park (98-27 Metropolitan Ave. in Forest Hills) and Richmond Hill (118-14 Hillside Ave.) locations.
A Queens Library spokesperson told the Times Newsweekly that the temporary space in Woodhaven would have a limited number of books and computers available, and a reference librarian will be on hand to assist customers.
The project-which has a price tag of a little more than $274,000- will include a brighter decor, a new circulation desk, an accessible bathroom for persons with disabilities and the installation of an RFID self-check out system.
The computerized program allows card-carrying Queens Library members to borrow materials without having to wait on line.
It was also noted that a new 24- hour self check-in kiosk will also be installed during the renovation period, allowing borrowers to drop off their borrowed materials at any time of the day.
Funding for the project was provided by City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, the Queens City Council delegation and New York State, all of which were thanked publicly by Queens Library in their press release announcing the library’s closure.
For more information, call 1-718-990-0700 or visit www.queenslibrary.org.
