The Queens Public Library (QPL) celebrated the 60th anniversary of its Central Library, located at 89-11 Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, with a community event led by its president and CEO, Dennis M. Walcott, along with New York Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, Julie Su, and Queens Borough President, Donovan Richards, as well as library staff and area residents.
“For 60 years, the Central Library has been the hub of the QPL system and the center of community life in Queens,” Walcott said. He highlighted that the staff has worked constantly to adapt services and offer free access to information, resources and opportunities that promote the development of residents. “We look forward to many more decades of service,” he added.
The Central Library officially opened its doors in its current location on April 11, 1966 and celebrated its inauguration on April 19 of the same year. The building was designed by the firms York & Sawyer and Kiff, Colean, Voss and Souder, and represented an innovation for its time. With an investment of 5.7 million dollars and 195,000 square feet of construction, it became the first large urban library in the country to concentrate all its public services on a single level, prioritizing accessibility and openness for visitors.
The building replaced the original library opened in 1930 on Parsons Boulevard, which became obsolete due to the growth of demand in Queens.
Over six decades, the institution has evolved with the community. In 1989, it underwent a major renovation and in 2011 added the Children’s Library Discovery Center (CLDC), a 22,000-square-foot space dedicated to children, with interactive science and STEAM exhibits, as well as an early education center.
Today, the Central Library houses an Adult Learning Center, a Teen Center, a computer center, the Carter G. Woodson Reference Collection, the largest circulating collection of sheet music in the city, and the Queens Archives. In addition, it distributes materials in 33 languages and safeguards approximately 980,000 objects, including books, DVDs and microfilms. Last year alone, it received more than 710,000 visitors and lent 736,000 materials.
“When the Central Library moved here in 1966, it did so at a transformative time for Queens, and it has continued to evolve with the borough,” said Vice Mayor Julie Su. “This library sends a powerful message: you belong here, your curiosity matters, and your future does not depend on your zip code or your income.”
County President Donovan Richards highlighted the role of libraries as essential spaces. “Our libraries are the heart of our neighborhoods and a lifeline to all communities,” he said.
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky highlighted the diversity of users who pass through its doors daily, while Senator Leroy Comrie highlighted its role as a meeting, learning and opportunity point for residents of all ages. For her part, the vice president of the Municipal Council, Dr. Nantasha Williams, called for strengthening investment in these public spaces to guarantee their continuity.
During the celebration, the Central Library received official proclamations in recognition of its career. The event included family activities, interactive workshops, a historical exhibit and a concert dedicated to iconic Queens musicians.
