On Saturday, October 21st, APALA members Jennifer Quiambao, Miriam Tuliao, and fellow NYC librarians Sandra Farag and Jen Moakler visited Queens Library’s newly renovated Elmhurst Branch. Assistant Community Library Manager Euni (Eun Young) Chang gave a special tour of the new facility which showcases robust print and multimedia collections in multiple languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Gujarati, Bengali, and Tagalog. The original 1906 Carnegie Library was redesigned by Marpillero Pollak Architects and transformed into a modern four-story, 32,000 square feet, ADA-accessible space featuring reading areas for children, teens, and adults; an atrium; open computer laboratory and adult learning centers; a “memory wall”; Queens County historical exhibit space; and learning garden.
Since reopening in December 2016, the Elmhurst Branch is consistently the third highest circulating library in Queen’s 62-branch system, averaging a monthly circulation of 55,000 items. Popular materials include graphic novels, manga, Chinese VCDs and test preparation guides. The library is a vibrant community center, offering a wider range of diverse public programs for all ages including Mother Goose time, chess club, spelling bee practice, B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Device), Chinese folk dance, tai chi, citizenship classes, and English conversation.
After the tour, APALA member Jennifer Quiambao led the group to Elmhurst’s historic St. James Episcopal Church for the monthly New York Indonesian Food Bazaar. The group checked out the offerings of more than 15 vendors, and sampled delicious traditional Javanese appetizers, dishes and desserts including Lontong Cap Go Meh and Kue Jongkong.
Editing assistance provided by Molly Higgins.