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Historic Investment by City Council and the De Blasio Administration allow the borough’s neighborhood branches to open library doors for the first time in years
On November 21st, New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer and Interim President and CEO of the Queens Library Bridget Quinn-Carey were joined by library patrons at the Woodside Library to launch the return of six-library service at neighborhood branches throughout the borough.
“For the last six years as a Council Member and for 11 years prior to that as a staff member for the Queens Library, I have always believed in the importance of having six-day library service because it meant so much to me as a child,” said New York City Council Majority Leader and Chair of the Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee, Jimmy Van Bramer. “Today our local library branches continue to give millions of New Yorkers the opportunity to dream big and the return of six-day library service will ensure many more have the access they deserve. I was proud to have helped deliver this victory with the de Blasio Administration, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, all of my Council colleagues and the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and advocates who raised their collective voice. With this $343 million investment into our local branches we are strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods and families while ensuring every New Yorker has access to the books and Award-winning programs and services they need to achieve their dreams.”
“Parents across our city know libraries can help develop their child’s lifelong love of reading–and New Yorkers in every neighborhood know the importance of having a local library where they can borrow books, take classes, and bring their families. That¹s why our administration is investing big, with the largest increases in both operating and capital funding for libraries in our city’s history–including millions to ensure extended hours,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“Queens Library welcomes the community six days a week in every neighborhood. Your library has so much to offer — free books and videos, story times for children, chances to use the computers or borrow technology to take home, homework help, workshops to help adults learn English or work toward a high school diploma, author talks, live music and dance performances. It’s a great resource, six days a week.” saidBridget Quinn-Carey, Interim President and CEO, Queens Library
In addition to the kick-off Saturday, Queens Library will be scheduling additional programs throughout the year, including the new weekend hours. They include early childhood programs, more opportunities and more places for adults to work toward high school equivalency diplomas, English Classes for Speakers of Other Languages as well as cultural programs, author talks and live performances.
As Chair of the Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee, Council Member Van Bramer played a pivotal role in working with Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and his colleagues to secure a $43 million citywide increase in operating funds for this fiscal year which allowed the Queens Library, as well as the New York Public Library and the Brooklyn Public Library, to hire hundreds of new librarians, implement six-day library service at all neighborhood branches throughout the City, purchase more library materials and support additional programming and services.