Senator Jose Peralta Announces State Funding for Six Queens Public Library Branches

Today, State Senator Jose Peralta joined Queens Library President Denis Walcott to announce state funding he helped secure in this year’s budget. The funding will be used to cover different programs and classes at the six library branches located within the Senator’s district. Senator Peralta presented the $60,000 state allocation to Walcott during a press conference hosted by the LeFrak City Library branch. Members of the Friends of LeFrak Library were also present during the announcement.

“Public libraries are great places for kids and adults to study, meet new friends and spend quality time surrounded by books and culture. The Queens Library branches offer a wide range of activities and programs to neighbors and students, from computer and English classes to movies, summer camps and book discussions,” Senator Peralta said. “These are amazing public spaces to learn and discover new things. I am glad I was able to secure a state allocation to fund vital programs that the Library puts in place for the all the community.”               

“Nearly two million people come through the doors of the six libraries in Senator Peralta’s district each year,” said Queens Library President Dennis M. Walcott. “There is a clear demand for our resources and programs at these locations, and we are grateful to him for helping to ensure that we meet it.”

The funds will be used to cover the cost of programs and classes offered at each branch, such as STACKS, the free curriculum-based afterschool program for children ages 6 to 14, and computer assistance workshops and materials, including books and DVDs.

The six branches that will get the state funding are:

• Jackson Heights. The branch has been around since 1954 and has 18,000 square feet. About 400,000 people visit the branch each year.
• East Elmhurst. The 7,500-square-foot building opened in 1972, and serves 84,000 people each year. 
• Elmhurst. The new building opened in 2016 and is on target to draw more than one million people each year.
• Corona. The Corona Community Library opened its doors in 1968 and has 8,000 square feet. About 225,000 people use the library each year, and is one of the busiest in the system, serving a largely Latino population.
• Lefrak City. The branch was inaugurated in 2003 and has 18,000 square feet. Approximately 100,000 people visit every year. 
• Langston Hughes Community  Library and Cultural Center. The 23,000-square-foot building opened in 1999 and serves 145,000 people a year.