 
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.
Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Queens Public Library

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