Mayor Adams breaks ground on $7m renovation for Hollis Branch of Queens Public Library

Mayor Eric Adams broke ground on a $7 million renovation for the Hollis Branch of the Queens Public Library. This project, part of a broader $900 million capital plan for NYC libraries, promises to transform the library into a modern hub for community engagement.

Mayor Adams emphasized the evolving role of libraries, stating, “This is not our mom and dad’s libraries… they are so much more.” He highlighted that the renovated library will serve not just as a place to read but as a community center, offering resources from career counseling to passport services.

Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi praised the ongoing investment in public spaces, expressing her personal connection to libraries: “I have a personal love for libraries… they expand horizons well beyond neighborhoods.” She also acknowledged the efforts of NYC’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC), led by Commissioner Tom Foley, to ensure the renovation is executed efficiently.

The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2026, with Adams pushing for a quicker timeline. The renovation is seen as crucial for Hollis, a neighborhood rich in cultural history. Local leaders, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, lauded the investment in libraries as essential to maintaining accessible, democratic spaces, especially amid a national climate of book bans and restrictions.

Richards emphasized, “You can’t incarcerate your way out of poverty… Safety is predicated on having institutions like our libraries open seven days a week.”

As Queens remains the most diverse county in the U.S., the modernized library aims to meet the needs of its diverse population and foster a stronger sense of community.