Over 100 local residents showed up for the grand reopening of the Broadway branch library. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan
Aug. 14, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan
After nearly three years of anticipation, the Astoria community eagerly celebrated the reopening of the Broadway branch of the Queens Public Library on Monday afternoon.
Within an hour of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was attended by city and state officials, less than half of the library’s seats remained open. Locals promptly settled back into the library’s nooks with reading material, waited in line to open a library card and wondered out loud when a calendar of programs would be unveiled.
“This Broadway branch is something special. You have people waiting outside. The crowd here is unbelievable,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris to a packed room. “We care a great deal about our libraries in this part of Queens.”
The $4.6 million expansion converted the basement of the two-story building into a computer center with 30 screens and several printers for public use. The space, which was previously just used for storage, now also has two multi-use classrooms and bathrooms.
The new computer lab in the basement was a previously unused area for storage. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan
“This basement will now be something that will be used by the community,” said Dennis Walcott, President and CEO of the Queens Public Library System. “All of it, for all of you, to make sure that the community always has an open door at the Queens Public Library.”
Before formal remarks, Walcott greeted the dozens of locals of all ages who lined up outside before the doors opened promptly at 1 p.m. And almost everyone ventured downstairs to see the shiny new addition to the space.
“It went from a closet to a beacon of hope for our community,” said Borough President Donovan Richards, adding that “our libraries are democratic institutions that are open to everyone. We must continue to invest in them and to continue to defend them.”
All the electeds, even ones who represent nearby districts, shared that they were frequently peppered with questions from constituents about when the Broadway branch would finally reopen. Many had to travel to the Steinway branch or other neighborhoods for library services such as ESL courses, writing workshops and story hours for children.
Local elected officials and agency heads cut the ribbon on the library’s new space. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan
While the branch was initially scheduled to reopen last fall, it was delayed due to budget cuts to the city’s library systems at the beginning of the fiscal year. The elected officials who previously and often criticized cuts to libraries lauded the necessity of them as a free public institution.
“This is such a vital respite for our seniors, our children, our families that are seeking spaces of learning and gathering and coming together as a community. So really, this crowd here is emblematic of who we are as Queens, a diverse, vibrant community,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.
“They’re transformational,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán, who represents Astoria. “This library is providing safety, it’s giving you language access. It is giving you classes, programming, enrichment, all of these things.”
The Department of Design and Construction said that they were able to transform the basement space in a year and a half. That included putting in a bond breaker and concrete flooring in between the R train that runs below. The HVAC system, as well as the acoustics, were also upgraded during the renovation.
The library’s manager Luba Kierkosz was glad to see locals fill up the space after years of waiting. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan
Luba Kierkosz, who has served as the manager of the Broadway branch since 2014, said she was only a little surprised by the overwhelming turnout. Since she began working there as a children’s librarian in 2011, she has witnessed the loyalty of the core group of regulars who staunchly support libraries.
“The readership in this branch is quite high,” Kierkosz said in between answering questions from visitors picking up the phone during the busy return.
“Everyone is happy to be back because, otherwise, you’re sort of like wandering around the system,” she said, explaining the need for everyone to have an open local branch.
Featured Events
