Rally to demand Queens Library to find a new home for Court Square Library
TODAY, January 8th, Court Square, NY – Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Friends of Court Square Library, and Court Square Civic Association rallied to demand Queens Library to find a new home for Court Square Library.
“Queens Public Library knew the deadline was approaching for the expiring lease and committed to action just last week,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “We demand service continues at the Court Square Library. This library serves approximately 100,000 people every year. This is not a question of funding. The library received record funding from the City of New York this past June. I am calling for the Queens Public Library to find a suitable alternative and permanent location for Court Square Library. This is the fastest-growing community in the United States. You should expand service when you know the community is desperate for that service.”
“The Friends of Court Square Library and the entire Court Square community demand uninterrupted public library service in a neighborhood growing by leaps and bounds”, said Meghan Cirrito president of Friends of Court Square Library. “We encourage Queens Public Library to utilize the tools and resources offered by community and business leaders to find a permanent home for this beloved library.”
“It is irresponsible and unacceptable that this has not been planned from 1 to 5 years ago to continue to provide services to this growing community of families and workers”, said Sheila Lewandowski 2nd Vice-Chair of Community Board 2 Queens.
“How did they not plan until they were under their lease? How can they run the most critical services of this library? This makes no sense!”
“The Court Square Library was kind of enough to open its doors and rearrange its children’s library to allow a Holiday Halloween Fair due to the inclement weather outside,” said Michael Guippone from the Court Square Civic Association.
“Hundreds of families came and it was a terrific event. To lose this library, in addition to the resources and community space it provides, would be terrible.”
Court Square is the fastest growing community in the United States. Library service has been in Court Square since 1989. This rally is being held to pressure the Queens Public Library to develop a short-term and long-term solution to the potential closure of the Court Square Library.
Court Square Library’s lease will terminate in March. Queens Library has been negligent in finding a new location for the branch. The library provides access to 10 workstations, free internet access, Microsoft Office software, free printing, and free Wireless Access. The library serves 100,000 people each year.
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