You are reading

Queens Public Library to Reopen Some Branches Next Month

Queens Public Library branch in Ridgewood (Google Maps)

June 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin

Queens Public Library will reopen some of its branches next month as New York City begins to return to pre-coronavirus normalcy.

Six to eight branches in the borough will open for pick up and drop off services in mid-July, with more to follow, President and CEO of Queens Public Library Dennis Walcott said.

The library shut all of its 66 branches on March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic and will reopen the branches to the public in stages. The locations of the first six to eight branches have not yet been disclosed.

“As we learn from the initial branch reopenings, we will gradually open other locations and expand services,” Walcott said in a statement.

Library visitors will be able to drop off books to return and pick up materials requested in advance at the branches, but will not be permitted to browse shelves or use public computers.

Each branch building will undergo extensive cleaning before reopening and staff members will reconfigure the space to meet social distancing guidelines.

All visitors and staff members will be required to wear masks. Staff members will also provide masks to those without one.

All returned books and items will be set aside and “quarantined” for a period of time before they are placed back onto shelves. Book donations will not be accepted.

Public programming and events will remain cancelled, but Queens Public Library will increase its virtual and online programs and resources.

“We will continue to increase our collection of ebooks and other digital resources, and to offer virtual programs, services, activities, and events on our social media channels and other platforms,” Walcott said.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

With US Open done, Kantu serves up winning brunch in Forest Hills

Sep. 9, 2025 By Claude Solnik

Brunch, or at least breakfast, is a fairly common offering across New York City restaurants. And these morning meals often follow basic rules and menus with fairly similar offerings such as eggs, traditional omelets and maybe a Mimosa. When it comes to good food and, in particular, brunches that depart from the usual, Kantu really can do.

Rego Park sex offender pleads guilty to charges of sexually exploiting young girls on Long Island: Feds

A convicted sex offender from Rego Park pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and admitted to soliciting and receiving sexually explicit images and videos from four young girls during a plea hearing in the federal courthouse in Central Islip on Friday. Anthony Pangallo, 41, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment and up to 50 years in prison.

According to court filings and statements during the plea proceeding, Pangallo was initially arrested on May 20, 2021, at his Rego Park residence, on state charges filed in Westport, Connecticut. Those charges, which remain pending, involved a 15-year-old victim whom Pangallo met online and manipulated into sending him sexually explicit images of herself.