Long Island City Libraries: upgraded, hidden, and in the works

Exterior detail of the Long Island City Public Library at 37-44 21st Street

In the age of the Computer, when some of us barely remember what our handwriting looks like, it’s nice to know that libraries still exist, albeit with increased electronic functionality. Long Island City’s library offerings are somewhat slim, but they offer useful services and and a nice quiet place with free WiFi. Oh yes, and they have books. Remember books?

Did you know that there’s a Queens Public Library in the ground floor of the Citibank building? It’s the Court Square branch quietly tucked away right next to the 45th Ave entrance – you just have to walk down (from Jackson Ave) past the LA Gourmet awnings to the doors with the address 25-01 Jackson Avenue. It’s almost unmarked. They’re open Monday – Saturday, during slightly random hours, but enough to do the job, and they have free Wi-Fi. 718.937.2790

Court Square branch of the Queens Public Library, 25-01 Jackson Ave, LIC

Heading into LIC/Astoria-land, the Long Island City Public Library opened on 21st St and 37th Ave back in June ‘07. Very recently, this branch benefitted from the $950,000 grant Queens Library as a whole received – its Adult Learning Center was upgraded to a Literacy Zone Welcome Center to help LIC/Astoria residents improve their educations and job skills. At the LIC branch’s Welcome Center, as well as the nearby Learning Center annexes at Ravenswood and Queensbridge, you can get referrals on issues like health care, housing, social services, tax services, and eligibility for benefits. Contact or visit the library for more info: 37-44 21st St, LIC, 718.752.3700

And last but not least – Vernon/Jaxers, there’s still hope to preserve your ability to read books without the aid of an electronic device. The design process for your brand new Hunters Point library at Queens West is set to begin this spring. So far a 32,000 SF plot of land near Gantry Park has been set aside, but the actual size of the library will depend on how much money is budgeted for it – city and state officials have $14M for it right now.