Queens Public Library

NYC public libraries mark Banned Books Week with first-ever national day of action

Photo © 6sqft

September 20, 2024

NYC public libraries mark Banned Books Week with first-ever national day of action

This year New York City's public libraries will mark Banned Books Week with events, activities, and programming to push back against the alarming rise in nationwide censorship. In 2023, the American Library Association (ALA) recorded the highest number of challenged book titles, marking a 92 percent increase from 2022. Along with Banned Books Week from September 22 through 28, the city's libraries are teaming up with ALA for the first-ever "Freedom to Read Day of Action" on October 19.
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Events & Things To Do

Deal reached for new Court Square public library at 5Pointz development

View of 5 Pointz LIC in September 2020; Photo: © CityRealty

September 17, 2024

Deal reached for new Court Square public library at 5Pointz development

By Devin Gannon

After over four years, Court Square in Long Island City is getting its public library back. The Queens Public Library (QPL) announced a tentative deal for a new branch at the 5Pointz LIC rental development on Jackson Avenue. After occupying the ground floor of One Court Square for 30 years, the branch closed in 2020 when Amazon's plan to open a headquarters there fell through.
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Policy

New Snøhetta-designed public library opens in Far Rockaway

Photos courtesy of Matthew Lapiska/DDC

July 31, 2024

New Snøhetta-designed public library opens in Far Rockaway

By Aaron Ginsburg

Far Rockaway's new public library officially opened this week. Designed by acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the two-story Queens Public Library branch at 1637 Central Avenue is twice the size of the previous library, which closed in 2018, and features a striking sunrise-inspired glass facade and central atrium that lets natural light fill the building. The $39 million library is part of the broader 2017 Downtown Far Rockaway rezoning to bring more housing, retail, and amenities to the neighborhood.
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Architecture And Design

Sunday service is back at these NYC libraries this weekend

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in Manhattan will reopen on Sunday, July 14. Photo © John Bartelstone courtesy of the NYPL

July 9, 2024

Sunday service is back at these NYC libraries this weekend

By Devin Gannon

For the first time since late last year, Sunday service will return to some New York City public library branches this weekend. Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council last month agreed to a budget for fiscal year 2025 that restores $58.3 million in funding for the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library. The libraries will reinstate Sunday service at branches that previously offered it on a rolling basis starting July 14.
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NYC public library funding restored, Sunday service to resume

Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch. Photo via WikiCommons

June 28, 2024

NYC public library funding restored, Sunday service to resume

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council reached a tentative deal to restore $58 million in proposed cuts to New York City public libraries just days before the budget is due. The mayor and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams on Thursday announced in a joint statement that $58.3 million in funding will be reinstated for the city's three public library systems in the fiscal year 2025 budget, due June 30, as well as a separate $53 million for the city's cultural institutions. The funding agreement allows libraries to resume Sunday service, which ended at all branches last fall following announced budget cuts.
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Policy

Adams’ $112B budget restores some funding, but keeps cuts to NYC libraries

Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch. Photo by Gregg Richards.

April 25, 2024

Adams’ $112B budget restores some funding, but keeps cuts to NYC libraries

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday released his $111.6 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2025, which rolls back previously planned cuts to cultural institutions, early childhood education, and the police, thanks to higher-than-projected tax revenue. However, funding has not been restored for New York City's public libraries, which currently face $58.3 million in cuts. Library officials say the lack of funds would force libraries to operate just five days a week, down from the current standard of six days.
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Policy

Most NYC libraries would only open five days a week under mayor’s budget cuts, officials say

A rally of library supporters at City Hall on March 12. Photo courtesy of NYPL

March 13, 2024

Most NYC libraries would only open five days a week under mayor’s budget cuts, officials say

By Aaron Ginsburg

Most New York City public libraries would only be able to open five days a week if the latest budget proposed by Mayor Eric Adams is approved, library officials warned this week. The presidents of the city’s three public library systems testified at a City Council budget hearing on Tuesday on the detrimental effects the proposed $58.3 million in budget cuts could have on library service. If the mayor's budget for the next fiscal year is approved, most city libraries will cut hours to just five days a week, marking the first time in nearly a decade that libraries will not be open six days at every branch.
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Policy

These are the library books New Yorkers checked out the most in 2023

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

December 19, 2023

These are the library books New Yorkers checked out the most in 2023

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's three public library systems on Tuesday revealed their most checked-out titles of 2023. At the New York Public Library, the most borrowed book of the year was "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus. In Queens, the top checkout was "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yaros, and in Brooklyn, "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy.
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City Living

NYC public libraries end Sunday service due to budget cuts

Photo credit: NYPL/Jonathan Blanc

November 17, 2023

NYC public libraries end Sunday service due to budget cuts

By Devin Gannon

Public libraries across New York City will soon be closed on Sunday in response to budget cuts announced by Mayor Eric Adams this week. Under the updated fiscal year 2024 budget released Thursday, every city agency will see a 5 percent budget reduction, including the police, sanitation, and education departments, as well as the public library system. New York, Brooklyn, and Queens public libraries said seven-day service will be eliminated, including ending Sunday service at most branches that offer it.
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Policy

How NYC public libraries are fighting censorship

Photo of the plaza at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library courtesy of Gregg Richards

October 2, 2023

How NYC public libraries are fighting censorship

By Devin Gannon

Book bans continue to increase nationwide, with public libraries now a major target of challenges. According to the American Library Association (ALA), there were 695 attempts to censor library materials with challenges to 1,915 unique titles during the first eight months of 2023, an increase of 20 percent from the same period last year. Challenges to books in public libraries accounted for 49 percent of all challenges, compared to just 16 percent last year. In response, New York City libraries are launching anti-censorship campaigns directed at young people across the five boroughs and beyond, coinciding with Banned Books Week, which runs from October 1 through October 7.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC libraries to give out 15,000 free books this weekend

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City public libraries are giving away 15,000 books to families this weekend. The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library are gifting the books as part of the annual summer reading and learning programs, which motivate kids and teens to maintain their reading and critical thinking skills while on summer break. The free books will be available on a first-come first-served basis at select library branches on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29.
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Events & Things To Do

May 19, 2023

NYC sues architecture firm behind new Long Island City library over accessibility issues

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has filed a lawsuit against the architects behind the inaccessible Hunters Point Library in Long Island City, as first reported by Crain's New York. Filed in Manhattan State Supreme Court on Wednesday, the lawsuit claims Steven Holl Architects violated its contract with the city by designing an inaccessible building. The suit says that the architecture firm should be forced to pay $10 million to cover the renovations needed to make the building accessible for people with disabilities.
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NYC public libraries say $36.2M budget cut will impact service, free programs

Image courtesy of the New York Public Library

March 21, 2023

NYC public libraries say $36.2M budget cut will impact service, free programs

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's three public library systems are protesting Mayor Eric Adams' planned $36.2 million budget cuts in the FY24 budget. Brooklyn Public Library President Linda Johnson, Queens Public Library President Dennis M. Walcott, and New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx testified in front of the City Council on Monday, warning the proposed budget cut could lead to reduced hours of service and fewer free programs, classes, and other opportunities thousands of New Yorkers depend on.
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Policy

Here are the library books New Yorkers borrowed the most in 2022

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

December 19, 2022

Here are the library books New Yorkers borrowed the most in 2022

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's three public library systems released their annual lists for their most checked-out titles of 2022. At the New York Public Library, the most borrowed book of the year was Matt Haig's The Midnight Library: A Novel. In Brooklyn, the top checkout was Laura Dave's The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel, and in Queens, The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy Foley.
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City Living

Citywide scavenger hunt tests your knowledge of NYC’s public libraries

The Adams Street Library in Dumbo; Photo Credit: Gregg Richards

July 22, 2022

Citywide scavenger hunt tests your knowledge of NYC’s public libraries

By Aaron Ginsburg

Think you know the library? Prove it during a citywide scavenger hunt next month. Hosted by Open House New York, "Library Love: Five Borough Scavenger Hunt" is a challenging "urban adventure" that will have participants racing across the city, deciphering clues, and deepening their knowledge about the city's public libraries. If you have a library card, it's free to compete.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC public libraries want you to read these 10 commonly banned books

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

May 23, 2022

NYC public libraries want you to read these 10 commonly banned books

By Aaron Ginsburg

Public libraries in New York City are calling on New Yorkers to take a stand against book banning. The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library on Monday launched the citywide "Banned Books Challenge," urging New Yorkers to read 10 books that explore issues of race, sexuality, religion, and history, subjects that have been targeted for censorship in recent months. To kick off the challenge, the libraries made Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo, available for free with no waits on e-reader apps until June 26.
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City Living

NYC cultural landmarks and public libraries will distribute free at-home Covid testing kits

Image courtesy of Gerardo Romo/NYC Council Media Unit on Flickr

February 14, 2022

NYC cultural landmarks and public libraries will distribute free at-home Covid testing kits

By Aaron Ginsburg

The NYC Test & Trace Corps has partnered with 14 city cultural sites and 27 branches of the city's public libraries to hand out free at-home covid-19 testing kits. Starting on February 14, libraries across the city's three branches and cultural sites will be conducting weekly walk-up distributions of the free kits, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis with a limit of one per person.
Find out more about free at-home test kits

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

Brooklyn Public Library’s recently renovated Central Branch. Photo by Gregg Richards

October 5, 2021

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

By Devin Gannon

All of New York City's public libraries have permanently eliminated late fees and will not charge for overdue books and other materials starting Tuesday. This shift in policy, which was first established at the start of the coronavirus pandemic last March, aims to create a more equitable and open system for communities in need, according to an announcement by library officials. Combined, the city's three library systems, made up of over 200 branches, are now the largest municipality in the country to eliminate fees.
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NYC public libraries reopen 22 branches for grab-and-go service

Photo of Todt Hill-Westerleigh branch; credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

July 13, 2020

NYC public libraries reopen 22 branches for grab-and-go service

By Devin Gannon

New York City's public libraries on Monday opened 22 branches for limited grab-and-go service as part of a phased reopening process. The joint plan involves a gradual reopening of physical locations in stages, with seven to eight branches opening for contactless pickups and book returns to start. All libraries were forced to close in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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New York libraries team up with local museums for a virtual ‘Culture Pass’

Photo of the Museum of Natural History by Aditya Vyas on Unsplash

June 30, 2020

New York libraries team up with local museums for a virtual ‘Culture Pass’

By Dana Schulz

Two summers ago, Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library launched Culture Pass, a program that provided free access to more than 30 museums and cultural institutions for library card holders. With all of these locations closed or operating at limited capacity during the pandemic, the three libraries have teamed up to take Culture Pass digital this summer, launching a new series of more than 70 original online programs, which will be free for children and adults through August 20.
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Events & Things To Do

New York Public Library considering curbside pickup service

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

May 27, 2020

New York Public Library considering curbside pickup service

By Devin Gannon

The New York Public Library is reviewing plans for curbside pickup service as the organization prepares to reopen after the coronavirus pandemic. As first reported by THE CITY, cardholders would be able to order books or other materials by phone or online for grab-and-go pickup, under one plan being considered. Books could be picked up in the lobbies or on the sidewalks of some branches.
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City Living

January 6, 2020

Public library in Long Island City’s Citigroup Building will close next month

By Devin Gannon

A popular public library in Queens is shutting its doors next month. The Queens Public Library at Court Square, located at 25-01 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, will close sometime in February after occupying the ground floor of the Citigroup Building for more than 30 years. The library faced threats of eviction after Amazon pulled out of its plan to move its headquarters to the neighborhood last year, which included its lease agreement at One Court Square.
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Uncategorized

November 26, 2019

Disability rights group files lawsuit challenging inaccessibility of new Long Island City library

By Devin Gannon

A disability rights group filed a lawsuit on Tuesday that claims a new public library in Queens does not provide full access for those with mobility disabilities. The civil suit, filed by the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York and the Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), says the newly constructed Hunters Point Library in Long Island City, which took nearly a decade to build and cost more than $41 million, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the library opened in September to praise from architecture critics for its innovative design, visitors immediately criticized the building's third level fiction section, accessible only by stairs.
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Policy

October 7, 2019

Hunters Point Library will move fiction shelves in response to accessibility criticism

By Alexandra Alexa

Steven Holl's Hunters Point Library has garnered glowing architectural reviews since it's opening last month, but visitors quickly pointed out a critical issue with accessibility in the $41 million building. Although the library has an elevator, it doesn't stop at the fiction section which is tiered on three levels above the lobby and accessible only via stairs. In light of the criticism, a Queens Public Library official has announced that books in that section will be relocated to an accessible area of the library, as Gothamist reported.
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Architecture And Design

September 25, 2019

See inside Long Island City’s new public library designed by Steven Holl Architects

By Devin Gannon

Despite standing just 82 feet tall, the new Hunters Point Library manages to stand out among its skyscraper neighbors on the Long Island City waterfront. The concrete structure, designed by Steven Holl Architects, officially opened to the public Tuesday, about two decades after officials proposed building a new Queens Public Library branch. The delays, and the whopping $40 million price tag, appear to have been worth it, as the building, with its carved windows and incredible skyline views, continues to garner approval from top architecture critics.
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Architecture And Design

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