FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 6, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 49
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QNS fi le photo
Queens Public Library set to expand
services at select branches on May 10
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Queens Public Library will expand services
to include browsing and computer
use at selected branches beginning on
Monday, May 10.
Since closing its physical locations in
March 2020 to mitigate the spread of
COVID-19, QPL branches have been
carefully and gradually reopening locations
and reinstituting services across the
borough to safely serve the customers
who need them.
In addition to a suite of virtual programs
and resources, including e-books,
online story times, virtual book clubs,
remote homework help, resume assistance
and job search help, many of the branches
began off ering grab-and-go book pickup
and on-site library card sign-up last July.
Beginning May 10 in select locations,
patrons will be able to browse shelves for
a set period of time and make appointments
to use computers at select sites.
“Since we opened our branches for
to-go service in July, we have gradually
and thoughtfully expanded library services,
putting the health and safety of
our staff and our customers at the forefront
of every decision we make as we
look forward to fully reopen,” Queens
Public Library President and CEO Dennis
Walcott said.
Th e Queens branches opening May 10
for expanded services across the borough
are located in Arverne, Astoria,
Auburndale, Bellerose, Cambria Heights,
East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Hillcrest, Long
Island City, Peninsula, Queensboro Hill,
Richmond Hill, Ridgewood and Rochdale
Village. Th e branches selected were based
on a number of factors, including proximity
to public transportation, size, building
condition, and location, with the goal
of covering as much of the borough as
possible.
“Libraries are essential to building a
strong, fair, and equitable city, especially
in the face of a global health crisis,”
Walcott said. “Given the current public
health conditions, the growing need
for our resources and the eagerness of
our staff to provide more services to
the public, now is the right time to take
the next step.”
All patrons must follow safety protocols,
including wearing masks, social
distancing and respecting time limits
to ensure that as many patrons as possible
can utilize services. QPL is also
planning to provide outdoor programs
in addition to continued virtual programs,
classes, vaccination resources
and more.
“I want to thank all our staff for their
commitment and fortitude, our union
leaders for their collaboration, and our
customers and government partners for
their support throughout the reopening
process,” Walcott said.
The city’s other library systems,
Brooklyn Public Library and The New
York Public Library, are also reopening
for expanded service at select locations
beginning May 10.
“From the beginning of the COVID-
19 pandemic, the library has worked to
safely offer New Yorkers the resources
and services that we know they need. It
has been a long, challenging year, and
we are eager to restore library service
to some semblance of normalcy,” New
York Public Library President Anthony
Marx said. “This expansion of service
— including computer use, critical for
patrons who do not have internet access
at home — is a significant and welcome
step in that direction. We will continue
to work towards responsibly and carefully
restoring additional services and
opening additional locations over the
coming weeks and months, and helping
New York City through its next chapter
of recovery and renewal.”
Queens Public Library is expanding services at select branches off ering browsing and computer use beginning May 10.
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