Bookworms and those looking to take advantage of computers and other materials provided by their libraries will have an extra day to do so starting Nov. 15.
The Queens Library announced on Tuesday that expanded library services will begin next month and every library in the borough will be open on at least one day on the weekend — mostly Saturdays. These services are possible because the City Council budget included an extra $12 million in operating expenses.
The Central Library in Jamaica and the Flushing Library will continue to remain open seven days a week and will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays.
The funding will also allow the library to hire approximately 100 new employees and acquire 30 percent more funding to purchase books, e-books, videos and other materials. Literacy programs for young library customers and after school programs will also benefit from the additional funding, according to the library.
”Six-day library service is back in Queens.” said Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer. “If budgets are a reflection of our values, then truly this budget shows that we, as a city, value the life-changing services of our city’s libraries.”
Currently, 23 branches of the 62 total are open on at least one weekend day. The remaining branches will add Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Court Square branch in Long Island City will remain closed on weekends, but a mobile branch at Gantry Plaza in Hunters Point will open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Kew Gardens Hills Branch will open on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
“The expansion of Queens Library hours into the weekend has long been awaited by families of every neighborhood throughout the borough,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “Thanks to the funding from the City Council, our borough will benefit greatly as every one of our library branches will add weekend hours. This latest enhancement of service will directly impact millions by dramatically improving access and the reliability of the library, which serves as an anchor for so many of our communities.”
For a list of extended hours for each branch, click here.
