NYC Public Libraries to Expand Services Beginning May 10

New York City NY

29 April, 2021

7:09 AM

Description

The City's three library systems—The New York Public Library (NYPL), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL)—will expand services to include browsing and computer use at select branches throughout the five boroughs beginning on Monday, May 10. The three systems, which closed their physical locations in March 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, have been carefully and gradually reopening locations and reinstituting services to safely serve the New Yorkers who need them. In addition to a robust suite of virtual programs and resources, including e-books, online storytimes, virtual book clubs, and remote homework help, resume assistance, and job search help, the libraries began offering grab-and-go book pickup and on-site library card sign-up in July 2020. Beginning on 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 locations. Additionally, in The New York Public Library Library system, patrons can access the research collections by appointment beginning on May 10. All patrons in all systems must follow safety protocols, including wearing masks, social distancing, and respecting time limits to ensure that as many patrons as possible can utilize services. While the library systems are closely monitoring circumstances in the City, they expect to add computer use and browsing to all of their grab-and-go locations in the coming weeks. They are also planning to provide outdoor programs in addition to continued virtual programs, classes, vaccination resources, and more. The systems are working towards opening additional locations this summer, and a full reopening as soon as possible in 2021. The branches opening on May 10 for expanded service are: Brooklyn Public Library Brownsville Canarsie Central Clinton Hill Coney Island Crown Heights Flatbush Ft. Hamilton Greenpoint Kings Highway Midwood Mill Basin Red Hook The New York Public Library (which covers the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island) Bronx Allerton Baychester Belmont Edenwald Francis Martin High Bridge Jerome Park Kingsbridge Parkchester Van Cortlandt West Farms Woodstock Manhattan 53rd Street 125th Street Belafonte-115th Street Countee Cullen Epiphany Morningside Heights Seward Park Washington Heights Staten Island Huguenot Park New Dorp Richmondtown St. George Library Center Stapleton Todt Hill-Westerleigh Queens Public Library Arverne Astoria Auburndale Bellerose Cambria Heights East Elmhurst Elmhurst Hillcrest Long Island City Peninsula Queensboro Hill Richmond Hill Ridgewood Rochdale Village The 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 City as possible. "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," said New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx. "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." "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 to fully reopen," said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. "Libraries are essential to building a strong, fair, and equitable city, especially in the face of a global health crisis. 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. So 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 our reopening process."