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QUEENS WEEKLY, JULY 5, 2020
These Queens Public Library branches
will reopen July 13 with limited service
BY BILL PARRY
Queens Public Library announced Thursday
it will begin opening some of its branches
following a four-month temporary closure to
slow the spread of COVID-1. Starting Monday,
July 13, QPL will reopen seven locations
across the borough with limited “to-go”
service six days a week.
Additionally, nine other branches will accept
returns around the clock, seven days a
week. The initial steps to reopen QPL’s physical
locations while protecting the health and
safety of the public and the Library’s staff
are part of the reopening plan, QPL’s Path
Forward in the Era of COVID-19,” available
here.
“As we begin to step cautiously back into
our physical spaces and welcome customers
inside, we will continue to reimagine and expand
our services and respond to the diverse
needs of the public,” QPL President and CEO
Dennis M. Walcott said. “We recognize the
disproportionate toll the virus has taken on
our communities and will reopen cautiously,
gradually, and intentionally, in stages, starting
with a small number of locations offering
limited service to the public and expanding
over time as circumstances allow. We know
our staff and the communities we serve are
resilient and strong, and together, in the face
of the ongoing crisis, we will rebuild.”
The seven branches that are set to provide
to-go service for customer pickup are:
• Bayside Library (214-20 Northern Blvd.)
• Bellerose Library (250-6 Hillside Ave.)
• East Elmhurst Library (95-06
Astoria Blvd.)
• Kew Gardens Hills Library (72-33
Vleigh Pl.)
• Laurelton Library (134-26 225th St.)
• Long Island City Library (37-44 21st St.)
• Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway
Beach Blvd.)
Materials can be requested online,
through the QPL app, or by phone, starting
Bayside Library is among the first of seven Queens Public Library branches that will reopen July 13 following a four-month shutdown
during the coronavirus crisis. Photo courtesy of QPL
July 6 and the materials can be found in a
designated area of each building beginning
July 13. Additionally, each branch will accept
returns at their exterior return machines.
In addition to their geographic location,
the seven sites were selected for their size,
layout, and condition as QPL assesses whether
and how the new service model and operating
procedures — including physical distancing
and other safety measures — would work
in other libraries.
The following libraries will accept returns
at external return machines or book
drops but remain closed to the public:
• Astoria Library (14-01 Astoria Blvd.)
• Cambria Heights Library (218-13
Linden Blvd.)
• Central Library (89-11 Merrick Blvd.)
• Flushing Library (41-17 Main St.)
• Jackson Heights Library (35-51 81 St.)
• Queensboro Hill Library (60-05 Main St.)
• Rego Park Library (91-41 63 Drive)
• Ridgewood Library (20-12 Madison St.)
• South Ozone Park Library (128-16
Rockaway Blvd.)
Each of the buildings that will be in use
during this initial stage will undergo extensive
cleaning and all returned materials will
be set aside, or “quarantined,” for 72 hours
before they are put back into circulation, in
accordance with expert recommendations.
All staff and visitors will be required to wear
masks and practice physical distancing.
Hand sanitizer will be available at all open
branches.
At this time, there will be no on-site public
programs, browsing, meeting room availability,
seating, public computers, or in-person
reference service, and book donations will
not be accepted. Customers can check out
materials without accruing fines until October,
1 at the earliest, and fine-based library
card blocks will be temporarily lifted. Applications
for library cards will be accepted
online only, and cards can be picked up at one
of the locations offering to0go service.
Depending on the experiences of the initial
locations and as circumstances allow,
QPL will gradually and carefully open more
branches and provide additional services.
Additionally, QPL will continue to invest in
virtual programs, eBooks, and other online
resources, which have been a lifeline to many
customers.
“We are grateful to the public for their
support and understanding as we navigate
our new realities together,” Walcott said.
‘The Library’s incredible staff are working
hard to prepare for this next step, and we look
forward to welcoming everyone back safely.”
ASTORIA TIMES ■ BAYSIDE TIMES
FLUSHING TIMES ■ FOREST HILLS LEDGER
FRESH MEADOWS TIMES
JACKSON HEIGHTS TIMES ■ JAMAICA TIMES
LAURELTON TIMES ■ LITTLE NECK LEDGER
QUEENS VILLAGE TIMES ■ RIDGEWOOD LEDGER
WHITESTONE TIMES
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