We’re excited to announce our renewed promise to the public and our new look to reflect who we are and the exceptional service you can expect from us.
At Queens Public Library, We speak your language.
We Speak Your Language from Queens Public Library on Vimeo.
What is a promise to the public?
At Queens Public Library, we are upholding a promise to the public. It consists of the experience we are committed to delivering to our customers and the public, the values we express, and what the public can expect from us.
What does our renewed promise to the public mean?
The term renewal recognizes our 124-year history, and that we are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of our communities. Renewal is also a library term! Our renewed promise to the public also means that there will be some exciting changes to make absolutely clear who we are, who we aspire to be, and how we will serve the public.
Why is Queens Library now Queens Public Library?
We put “public” at the center of our name to reinforce who is at the center of our work and to whom the Library belongs.
Why is “We speak your language” the new tagline?
“We speak your language” means we speak Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, Russian, Greek, and many other tongues. It also means we speak imagination, tech, history, LGBTQ, HTML, finance, nonfiction, science fiction, storytime, chess, teens, opportunity, and many other interests and pursuits.
It signals that we are in touch with the existing and emerging needs of our customers and our communities, and describes the extent to which we embrace them. The tagline says we see you, we understand you, we are here for you, and we will help you get where you want to go.
What does the new logo stand for?
The new logo, comprised of the Q and the tagline, stands for who we are, whom we serve, and how we approach our customers. The tilted pieces that form the Q celebrate the many diverse perspectives of Queens Public Library, our resources, programs and services, and communities. It uses two- and three-dimensional space to express both the physical and cultural characteristics of Queens Public Library.
In two dimensions, the mark is the letter Q, referencing our name and the borough of Queens. In three dimensions, the logo houses an open book, an open doorway, and a welcome mat, extending our promise and welcoming everyone.
Why was purple selected as Queens Public Library’s primary color, and what is the significance of the secondary colors?
Purple is associated with some of the qualities Queens Public Library seeks to cultivate, such as wisdom, creativity, dignity, and ambition. The secondary colors complement the color purple and reflect the diversity and vibrancy of Queens, the people who live and work here, and the Library itself.
Why did QPL change its visual identity?
We wanted to communicate the breadth and depth of our resources and services in a way that honors the diversity of our communities and conveys the magnitude of our mission to transform people’s lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities.
How will customers experience our renewed promise to the public?
We will continue working to ensure that all of us speak each person’s language every time they walk into one of our locations, interact with us, call us, or visit us online.
All of our locations now have tablets loaded with Google Translate so staff can have conversations in multiple languages with customers. We also will offer another type of translation device at every site and will soon pilot a language line service at several locations as well.
We also have launched a new website that is clearer, faster, easier to navigate and search, can be converted to over 80 languages, and has a responsive design that will work on desktops and mobile devices with different screen sizes. Learn more about the features here.