FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com OCTOBER 22, 2015 • THE QUEENS COURIER 29 Here Comes Solar, a nonprofit initiative, will explain what Queens homeowners need to know about adopting solar energy. The session will include information on the benefits and costs of solar energy in New York City and the incentives, tax credits and financing options that can make solar power affordable. Some of the city’s leading solar experts will be available to answer questions and talk about how neighbors can work together to get discounted pricing and an easier solar installation process. 1759-8/15 Solar Power for Queens Homeowners Thursday, October 22 6:00 p.m. Douglaston/Little Neck 249-01 Northern Boulevard 718-225-8414 Train: LIRR Bus: Q12, N20, N21 Admission is free. www.queenslibrary.org Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library system. **CONCANNON HAS A CREATIVE PLAN TO REVITALIZE LIBRARIES** ** ‘LIBRARIES NEED TO HAVE THE ATTENTION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS’** Queens Village, NY— Joseph Concannon gave the people of Eastern Queens something to read about this week when he expressed sincere interest in protecting Queens Public Libraries. “New York City’s libraries are in disarray. They have gone largely igored for the better part of a decade. But with a little creativity and imagination, we can revitalize libraries by redefining their role in the community.” Concannon continued, saying, “Libraries need to have the attention of elected officials,” said the candidate for the now vacant Queens City Council seat, “They are usually only sparingly looked after by those in control of the funds they desperately need to keep themselves up and running.” Part of the reason for this treatment of libraries, he believes, is due to a lack of vision for these institutions in previous times. “The way I see it, libraries aren’t just places to go to rent movies, listen to music, or read quietly by yourself. They’re meant for much more than that,” Concannon made clear, “They’re community centers, and they need the proper care to bring them to their full potential. If kids go to the library to learn about something they’re interested in through a well-taught program, they’re not out on the street dodging negative influences. If the non-English speaking immigrant goes to the library because there’s someone there who’s paid to teach him or her through an English for Speakers of Other Languages program, we can increase that New Yorker’s ability to a get a job in this country. We need more of these programs. A library is a place of learning, but it’s up to the people in government to decide what kind of learning and how it can best be used to better the lives of hard-working New Yorkers.” Concannon has a definitive plan for libraries. “This will be part of my legacy as a City Councilman,” he said, “I will take these largely unused places and create hubs for community improvement.” He has made particular mention of an initiative passed by the City Council called City’s First Readers. He remarked that he wants to see programs like some of those funded in the almost $1.8 million initiative brought more into play in Queens libraries. He plans to push for an expansion of the initiative. One of these programs, The Parent-Child Home Program, fosters a child’s relationship with parents while promoting literacy and school preparation. “As the name implies, this program takes place in the homes of thoseit is designed to help, but I think having programs like these funded through libraries in an expansion would be an excellent way to help children connect to their community. This connection will promote academic success and career readiness,” Concannon said. He plans to seek expansions to programs that would focus on seniors, immigrants, and the underprivileged. For more information, contact: Liam McCabe (917) 932-4869 joe4nyPress@gmail.com Your future starts here. Go further. 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364 OPEN HOUSE Saturday, November 14, 2015 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information and to register visit www.qcc.cuny.edu/OpenHouse
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