Assembly Resolution No. 175

BY: M. of A. Rozic

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the Queens
Public Library

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across the great
State of New York is reflective of certain exemplary organizations whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its
citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Queens Public Library; and

WHEREAS, The Queens Public Library was founded in 1896, with the
goal of providing free access of knowledge, information, and lifelong
learning opportunities to all residents; its roots took hold in the fall
of 1895, in Long Island City, New York, when local resident William
Nelson, acquired a large number of books which would be consolidated to
become three libraries; and

WHEREAS, On December 21, 1899, the Long Island City Public Library
was renamed as the Queens Borough Library; elsewhere in Queens around
that time, other efforts were underway to merge several private
libraries into a single public institution to further their mission; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Queens Public Library (QPL) and its
librarians have continued to respond to the changing needs of the
diverse communities they serve; they have been instrumental in offering
free English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), citizenship and
coping skills classes, and building a multilingual collection of
materials in more than 30 languages; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, the QPL became the first public library in the
nation to provide comprehensive programs and services for new Americans,
and now has a vast digital and written collection that includes sources
of information in over 200 languages; and

WHEREAS, Today, QPL is one of the largest and busiest library
systems in the United States, welcoming nearly 11 million visitors each
year and consisting of 66 locations and over 940,000 active library card
holders; there are also branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult
learning centers, a technology lab, one universal pre-kindergarten, and
two teen centers and locations; and

WHEREAS, The Queens Public Library has been an invaluable resource
for residents of the Borough of Queens for 125 years; people come to the
Library to connect, discover and learn through story times, book group,
and various programs for all ages; and

WHEREAS, A vital part of its community, this remarkable institution
has continually strived to provide outstanding service to a diverse
population of neighborhood residents; and

WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Queens Public Library is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported the development of the Library over the years; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Queens
Public Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks
forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and
intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Queens Public Library; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Queens Public Library.