By Bill Parry
The Woodside Library will be receiving a multimillion-dollar renovation with funding allocated by the City Council in its recently passed 2019 budget. The branch, located at 54-22 Skillman Ave., has not undergone any significant capital renovation in more than 20 years.
“Libraries change lives,” City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said. “The $6.5 million for a completely renovated Woodside Library is a big deal for the children, seniors and everyday Woodsiders who use this essentially important community resource. Every Woodside resident deserves to have a modern, state-of-the-art library. This funding, with the help of Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and Council Speaker Corey Johnson, is a game changer for the people who use this every day.”
Crowley, who grew up in Woodside and still owns a home in the neighborhood, called the funding an “enormous” investment in the community.
“Our city’s libraries are vital to enriching our communities, but many of our branches do not receive the funding they need to help our children and students grow,” Crowley said. “The millions of dollars in funding we are announcing today will help ensure the Queens library continues to instill compassion, wisdom, and open-mindedness in our children for years to come. This is one of the most important investments we can make for our community.”
The funding is part of the nearly $100 million that will be allocated to fund libraries throughout the city that was allocated in the 2019 budget and it is the largest allocation of funding for a single community library in the city in this year’s budget.
“Council member Van Bramer and Congressman Crowley have made an excellent investment not only in this branch and our customers, but in the entire community, and we are grateful for their continued steadfast support,” Queens Library President and CEO Dennis Walcott. “We look forward to working with our government partners to deliver an inspiring space where the public can learn, discover and grow.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
