Materials Destroyed During Hurricane
The Queens Library Foundation has received a grant of $250,000 from the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to help replace some of the more than 140,000 books and other library materials that were damaged in Hurricane Sandy.
“Our public libraries provide essential resources to New York City residents,” said Megan Sheekey, president of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “We are grateful to the Queens Library System for its dedication to keeping its doors open in hurricane impacted neighborhoods and serving community members.”
“The Rockaways and Broad Channel lean on their community libraries for computer and broadband access, education, schoolwork support, job skills training, consumer health resources and their daily information needs. We are so grateful that the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will help Queens Library restock the empty shelves and provide the critical information that will help the community rebuild,” said Thomas W. Galante, president and CEO of Queens Library.
Five libraries in Queens’ waterfront communities suffered extensive, destructive flooding in the storm. Libraries in Howard Beach and Broad Channel have re-opened. Temporary facilities are serving the community in Arverne and Rockaway Beach while repairs are being made to the buildings.
Approximately $2.2 million in books, DVDs and magazines must be replaced, including picture books and homework help materials for children, large print books, books in Russian, Spanish and other languages, materials for job-seekers who want to learn more about employment trends and build their skills, and so much more. More than $1 million in private, government and philanthropic grants have already been raised toward replacement costs.
The Queens Library Foundation is the fund-raising arm of the Queens Library. Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library. It serves a population of 2.3 million in one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the U.S. and has among the highest circulations of any public library system in the world.
For more information about programs, services, locations, events and news, visit the Queens Library web site at www.queenslibrary.org or phone 1-718-990-0700.
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to innovative public-private partnerships throughout the five boroughs. One hundred percent of donations in response to Hurricane Sandy are being dispersed to relief and recovery efforts and organizations.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, contributions helped to support the supply and transport of emergency needs including hot food, toiletries, baby supplies, cleaning materials, warm clothing and medications for New Yorkers.
The Mayor’s Fund is now focused on longer-term rebuilding and restoration efforts, including sponsoring a network of housing counselors and legal service providers to help residents, mold awareness trainings and treatment in homes, and programs for nonprofit organizations and local businesses affected by the hurricane.
For more information go to www.nyc.gov/fund and follow the Fund on Twitter @NYCMayors- Fund.
