May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Queens Public Library is part of the national movement to bring awareness to mental health, and to fight the stigma that surrounds the topic.
Throughout the month of May, QPL will be offering programs, workshops, and resources designed to help everyone of all ages navigate their individual mental health journeys.
Mental Health Awareness Month Booklists
Teen Mental Health Month Programs
Join us at our branches for these special programs, designed specifically for teens, where they can learn how contemporary life impacts mental health, build coping strategies that will help them now and in the future, enjoy activities designed to strengthen their mental health, and develop the tools necessary to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Teens can also download a copy of our special Teen Mental Health Month Brochure, or pick one up at their QPL branch.
Mental Health Awareness Month Resources
NYC 988: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
NYC 988 is your connection to free, confidential mental health and substance use support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in over 200 languages.
NYC Department of Health: Health Topics: Mental Health
Learn about the City's mental health and substance use resources and services.
NYC Department of Health: NYC Teenspace
Teenspace provides free mental health support through licensed therapists to teens in NYC.
NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health: Resource Guides + Toolkits
Guides and toolkits providing information, resources, and skills to promote emotional well-being.
The Mental Health Coalition
The Mental Health Coalition is a collective of influential and respected nonprofits, mental health organizations, and experts who are working together to end the devastating stigma surrounding mental health.
National Institutes of Health: Social Wellness Toolkit
A toolkit for learning new strategies and ways to improve your social well-being.
Safe Horizon, 1-800-621-HOPE (1-800-621-4673)
Safe Horizon provides assistance, advocacy, and support to victims who have experienced domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, youth homelessness, and other crimes.
Therapy for Black Girls
An online space dedicated to the mental wellness of Black women and girls; you can also use this resource to locate mental health professionals in your area.
Left to right: Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, QPL Chief Librarian Nick Buron, QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Central Library Assistant Director Jillian Hayes, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
QPL’s Central Library Building on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica Turns 60
JAMAICA, NY_ Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, NYC Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, along with library staff and community members, marked the 60th anniversary of Central Library at 89-11 Merrick Boulevard on Monday, April 20.
“For 60 years, Central Library has been the hub of the QPL system and the center of community life for the people of Queens,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Our incredible, innovative, and caring staff have continuously worked to adapt our offerings, providing free access to information, resources, and opportunity to help the public be successful in their lives. We look forward to many more decades of service."
QPL’s Central Library has a long history of innovation and community service. The original Central Library at 89-14 Parsons Boulevard opened in 1930, but it quickly outgrew its space as demand for services expanded.
The current building was designed by York & Sawyer, Kiff, Colean, Voss and Souder. Built for $5.7 million and spanning 195,000 square feet, it introduced a groundbreaking concept for its time as the first major urban library in the nation to place all public services on a single floor—an intentional design that emphasized openness, accessibility, and ease of use for all visitors.
The building first opened its doors to the public on April 11, 1966, and celebrated its official Grand Opening on April 19, 1966.
Since then, Central Library has continued to evolve to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community, including a major renovation in 1989 and further upgrades such as the addition of the Children’s Library Discovery Center (CLDC) in 2011. The CLDC is a two-story, 22,000 square feet wing that is dedicated solely to materials and services for children. It contains interactive science and S.T.E.A.M exhibits and an Early Childhood Education Center to help guide the next generation of Queens residents.
Central Library is also home to an Adult Learning Center, a Teen Center, computer center, the Carter G. Woodson Reference Collection, the city’s largest circulating collection of sheet music and the Archives, which focuses on preserving Queens’s history.
Central Library circulates materials in 33 languages in addition to English. In total, it houses approximately 980,000 items—including books, DVDs, microfilm, and microfiche—spread across the main floor and two of its three sublevels. Last year alone, the building welcomed more than 710,000 visitors and circulated 736, 000 items.
Central Library on Merrick Boulevard opened in April 1966.
“When Central Library moved to this location in 1966, it did so at a moment of change in Queens, and it continued to evolve to meet the needs of a growing borough. Sixty years later, that same commitment still defines this institution,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “Every day, this library sends a powerful message to the people it serves: you belong here, your curiosity matters, and your future is not determined by your ZIP code or your income. Congratulations to Queens Public Library and to President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott on this milestone.”
“It’s been 60 amazing years of the Queens Public Library’s Central Library location, and I’m happy to celebrate with the community such a momentous anniversary,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Our libraries are the heartbeat of our borough that serve as a lifeline for all our neighbors, regardless of age or socioeconomic status. Here's to 60 more years of the Central Library, one of the most important democratic institutions in our city!"
“For sixty years, the Queens Public Library has been at the heart of the most diverse county in the nation,” said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “On any given day, people from all over the world walk through our library doors speaking more than 100 languages. They read their hometown newspapers. They connect with multicultural programs and resources built for the communities they come from. More than 710,000 visitors came through those doors last year alone. The New York State Senate will present a resolution celebrating this occasion, sponsored by every Queens State Senator. I congratulate the Queens Public Library on this milestone and thank President and CEO Dennis Walcott, the staff, and the volunteers who keep these doors open every single day.”
“Queens Public Library’s Central Library has been a cornerstone in our community for 60 years, serving as more than just a library, it’s a space where our community comes together,” said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. “I’ve had the opportunity to host events there and see firsthand how it transforms into a place for connection, learning, and opportunity for residents of all ages. From supporting our students and families to providing critical resources for seniors and job seekers, Central Library continues to meet people where they are. I’m proud to support Queens Public Library and look forward to its continued impact across Queens.”
“For 60 years, Queens Public Library’s Central Library has been a consistent and vital part of community life, creating access to information, opportunity, and connection for generations of New Yorkers,” New York City Council Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams. “Libraries do a level of day-to-day work in this city that often goes unnoticed, supporting students, providing access to technology, helping people navigate services, and serving as a steady, reliable presence in communities across Queens, including for many of us who grew up here, like me. That role has only expanded, and it has to be reflected in how they are funded and supported. As we mark this milestone, the focus is not only on celebrating what the library has been but making sure it has what it needs to continue operating at that level. That means stable, baseline investment, and a clear commitment to sustaining libraries across our city.”
During the event, Central Library received proclamations from Borough President Donovan Richards and State Senators Toby Ann Stavisky and Leroy Comrie in recognition of its 60th anniversary.
The milestone was celebrated with family-friendly activities, interactive workshops, an exhibit highlighting the library’s legacy, and a concert honoring legendary Queens musicians.
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About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages, technology, and digital resources. Each year, the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational, cultural, and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors. With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens, the Library consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology lab at the Queensbridge public housing complex, a community learning center at the Ravenswood public housing complex, and five teen centers. It also has five bookmobiles and two book bicycles.
CONTACT: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org
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QPL's Climate Ready Workshops
QPL's Climate Ready Workshops explore climate change and weather-related events, and how they impact Queens communities.
You can learn about the health implications of climate change and what you can do to reduce their impact; how to prepare for environmental emergencies and protect yourself and your family; how climate-related laws and legislation are addressing climate change; and what you can do to create a more climate-resilient Queens.
Climate Ready is for anyone who wants to stay more informed, like homeowners, renters, business owners, older adults, environmental advocates, and others.
See The Schedule of our upcoming Climate Ready Workshops. We hope that you will join us!
Learn about Queens Public Library's Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 and how the library will promote climate literacy.
Climate Ready is made possible through the generous support of Con Edison.
QPL's Climate Ready Resources
The resources below complement our Climate Ready Workshops. You can use them during our workshops and beyond.
- Climate Challenges in Queens
- Climate Resiliency in our Neighborhoods
- Climate Change Legislation
- Environmental Justice
- Climate Change & Your Health
- QPL Climate Programs and Activities
Climate Challenges in Queens
Find out about the climate challenges facing Queens neighborhoods and the impacts these challenges have on your community.
How Climate Change Impacts Your Community
Queens Memory Podcast: "Memories of Water" (YouTube): Season 4 of the Queens Memory Podcast explores stories of climate change, belonging, and resilience in Queens.
QPL Climate Resiliency Map: Learn about your neighborhood risks, including flood zones, heat risks, and environmental justice areas.
Coastal Flooding
Learn more about coastal flooding in NYC, the risk of flooding in your community, and what flood zone you live in, from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.
Sea Level Rise: Use this interactive map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to see the risk of sea level rise and coastal flooding in your neighborhood.
Extreme Rainfall
What are the risks of flooding due to extreme rainfall in your community? Learn more from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.
Tidal Flooding
What is the risk of tidal flooding in your community? Learn more from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.
Extreme Heat
Learn more about the risks of extreme heat from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.
View New York City’s Heat Vulnerability Index Maps.
Learn about the signs and symptoms of heat illness, and how to prevent heat illness.
Climate Resiliency in our Neighborhoods
Find out what you can do to create a more climate-resilient Queens.
Reduce your Carbon Footprint
Carbon Footprint Calculator: Learn how much you contribute to climate change! Use this easy carbon footprint calculator from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to simulate the amount of carbon emissions you and your household are producing, and what you can do to reduce both emissions and cost.
Join The Climate Pledge: Join the Pledge to see what you can do to reduce the effects of climate change.
Climate Definitions
Climate Dictionary: Learn the common terms and phrases used in climate change science and legislation.
Climate Data: Learn where climate change data comes from and keep up to date with changing information.
Local NYC Resources & Organizations
Here are a few local climate-related resources and organizations to help you become more climate-resilient in your neighborhood!
- NYC Weather Updates
- NYC Emergency Management: Be Ready NYC
- NYC Department of Sanitation
- Queens Botanical Garden
- Hunters Point Parks Conservancy
- Newtown Creek Alliance
- Guardians of Flushing Bay
- Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
- Big Reuse
Climate Change Legislation
Stay up to date with current and historic climate change legislation, at local, state, national, and global levels.
NYC Legislation
NYC Climate Mobilization Act: The NYC Climate Mobilization Act was passed in 2019 by the New York City Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency for certain buildings in New York City.
NYC Department of Buildings: Climate Legislation
NYC Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice: Other NYC Climate Legislation
NYC Climate Law Tracker: Keep up to date with changes in legislation through the Columbia Climate School’s website.
New York State Legislation
NYS Climate Act: New York State’s Climate Act requires New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and no less than 85 percent by 2050, using 1990 levels.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: Climate Change Statutes, Regulations, And Policies
NYS Climate Education Bill: New York State’s Climate Education Bill “requires that public schools provide instruction on climate change, including but not limited to identifying the causes and impacts of climate change on individuals, environments and communities, and learning to evaluate solutions." It was introduced in the NY State Senate in January 2025.
National & Global Legislation
The United States has enacted several pieces of legislation to meet the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, most notably through initiatives funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. Additional regulations have been enacted to protect public health and the environment by limiting pollutants.
United States Climate Alliance: Many state governments have come together to form the U.S. Climate Alliance to ensure a net-zero future by advancing state-led and high-impact climate action.
Paris Climate Agreement: In 2015, 196 nations — including the United States — committed to rapidly take action to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This agreement seeks to reduce emissions by 45 percent by 2030, with a goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Learn More about the Paris Climate Agreement from the United Nations and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Environmental Justice
Explore environmental justice organizations and initiatives and find out if you live in an environmental justice community.
What is Environmental Justice?
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights defines environmental justice as "the fair treatment of people of all races, income, and cultures with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, and their meaningful involvement in the decision-making processes of the government."
Learn more about environmental justice from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the U.S. EPA.
Intersectional Environmentalism: Learn guidelines for approaching climate action with intersectional identities and united communities.
Environmental Justice in NYC
Learn more about environmental justice in New York City from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.
Find NYC organizations promoting environmental justice and learn how you can participate!
Do You Live in an EJ Community?
Explore this EJNYC Mapping Tool and this interactive map from the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority to find out more about your community.
Climate Change & Your Health
Learn more about the effects climate change has on your mental, physical, and community health.
Mental Health & Eco-Anxieties
How does climate change affect mental health? (American Psychological Association)
Clean Energy
Greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon emissions, are produced by fossil fuels, which include gasoline, coal, and natural gas. There have been major investments at the federal, state, and city levels to invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, which do not emit carbon emissions, and to retrofit infrastructure to use electricity powered by these renewable energy sources.
Con Edison: Our Clean Energy Commitment: Learn about Con Edison's commitment to clean energy.
Con Edison: Save With Rebates and Energy Saving Incentives
ENERGY STAR: Checklist of Common Energy Saving Measures
U.S. Department of Energy: Building Energy Audit Template
U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saving Tips
NYC Health
NYC Environment and Health Data Portal: Neighborhood Reports on Climate and Health: What are the climate-related health impacts specific to your community? Enter your neighborhood to get a full report.
Lead Exposure Resources
What are the Health Effects of Lead? (U.S. EPA)
Learn about the hazards of lead from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Use LeadFreeNYC's Water Service Line Map to see if your drinking water is contaminated by lead pipes.
QPL Climate Programs and Activities
QPL Calendar: Climate Ready Workshops
QPL Calendar: Environmental Programs
QPL Calendar: Environmental Education Center Programs at Hunters Point Library
Left to right: Assembly Member Weprin, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Vice president of the Civic Association of Utopia Estates Sherry Reisner, Katherine Zapata from the Office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens Supreme Court Justice Karen Lin and Chief Librarian Nick Buron
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic Joins Community to Reopen Renovated Children’s Room at Hillcrest Library Following State Grant Allocation
Rozic Allocated $250,000 in State Funding to Remodel the Children’s Area and Meeting Room at Queens Public Library’s Hillcrest Branch
Queens, NY—Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF–Fresh Meadows), joined by Queens Public Library leadership, celebrated the official reopening of the newly renovated Children’s Room at the Queens Public Library Hillcrest Branch, including a special story time with local families. This project was made possible through a $250,000 state grant she secured for the Hillcrest branch.
The grant funded the design and structural renovation of the Children’s Area and Meeting Room, modernizing the space to better serve neighborhood families. Improvements include updated furniture and shelving, asbestos abatement and air monitoring, upgraded power and data connections, and new computers, carpeting and paint.
The opening was also attended by representatives from the Utopia Estates Civic Association, Shalom Ima, and local officials.
“For years families like mine have relied on the Hillcrest branch as a place for learning, exploration, and community,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “This renovation ensures that our children have a bright, accessible, and inspired space designed specifically for them. It is especially meaningful to celebrate this reopening by sharing a story together, marking the beginning of a new chapter for young readers in our community.”
“We are grateful to Assemblywoman Rozic for investing in this library, which has served the community as a hub of learning, growth and opportunity for nearly 50 years,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Thanks to her support, the branch’s children’s area and meeting room now feature new technology and furnishings, creating a more welcoming and inspiring space for all.”
“It is crucial that we make the needed investments to help children learn and grow and that includes resources like the children’s room at our local libraries such as this newly renovated one at the Hillcrest Branch,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “I was thrilled to take part in its official reopening and look forward to this space better serving local children for many years to come. As the mom of two boys, I know firsthand how important libraries are to kids in our communities. Thank you to Assemblywoman Rozic for securing the crucial funding that made these improvements possible.”
“The Hillcrest Library is a fantastic resource for our area, and I’m overjoyed to see the results of this $250,000 investment by Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. These extensive renovations and upgrades will service our local communities for many years to come, and families in particular will benefit from the Children’s Area and Meeting Room. I join my neighbors in their excitement for the official reopening of the Queens Public Library’s Hillcrest Branch,” said Assemblyman David Weprin.
NY State Senator John Liu stated, "For kids, a library isn’t just a place to borrow books—it’s a space where they can explore different cultures and expand their horizons. We’re so excited to see the children’s area reopen, now easier to use and more comfortable after the renovations. Many thanks to Assemblywoman Rozic for securing the funding that made it all happen!"
“Today's reopening of Hillcrest Library provides vital community benefits, offering residents free access to educational resources, technology, and safe spaces for students, families, single parents and seniors to learn, connect, and grow,” said Shalom Ima founder Mazal Matayev. “The event underscores the library's role as a hub for community programs, workforce development, and cultural engagement that strengthen neighborhood ties. Thank you Assemblywoman Nily Rozic for your continuous support of our Queens community.”
Construction began in late summer 2025, with the branch reopening in phases to minimize service disruption. The Children’s Area and Meeting Room were completed earlier this year with shelving and other finishing touches being the final steps before welcoming families back into the redesigned space. The Hillcrest Branch serves a diverse and growing population in Queens and remains an essential hub for educational and cultural programming.
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Join QPL to Celebrate Earth Month in April!
QPL is working to advance sustainability and climate resiliency right here in Queens. Did you know that promoting climate resiliency was one of eight key priorities in our 2025 strategic plan? Climate change is a major issue facing our communities, with neighborhoods increasingly impacted by flooding, drought, extreme heat, and other severe weather events. Queens residents are especially vulnerable, given the borough’s 113 miles of coastline, inadequate sewer infrastructure, and dense development that creates urban heat islands.
We’re investing in environmentally sustainable policies to divert more solid waste from landfills, reduce energy consumption at our locations, and educate staff and customers about the impact of the changing climate. From clean energy advocacy and pollution reduction to community-led conservation, the focus is clear: real change starts with people, communities, and everyday action.
Download QPL's Earth Month Brochure for highlighted programs and browse our calendar for all programs.
Browse below to discover:
- Program Highlights
- Recommended Books for Adults
- Recommended Books for Teens
- Recommended Books for Kids
- Digital Platforms Available for Free with Your QPL Card
- Recommended Resources
Program Highlights
All programs will be held in-person unless otherwise noted.
FOR CHILDREN (Ages 0-5)
TOY SWAP STORYTIME & MUSIC
Monday, April 6, 11am
Ridgewood
20-12 Madison Street
Saturday, April 11, 2pm
Forest Hills
108-19 71 Avenue
Saturday, April 18, 10:15am
Hunters Point
47-40 Center Boulevard, Long Island City
Saturday, April 25, 10:30am
Glen Oaks
256-04 Union Turnpike
Thursday, April 30, 3pm
Rosedale
144-20 243 Street
LITTLE SPROUTS: EARTH MONTH ART & STORYTIME
Thursday, April 9, 2pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street
Wednesday, April 22, 10:30am
Broadway
40-20 Broadway
Thursday, April 23, 12pm
Corona
38-23 104 Street
Thursday, April 23, 4pm
Lefferts
103-34 Lefferts Boulevard
Wednesday, April 29, 11am
Laurelton
134-26 225 Street
QPL PLAYDATE – GROWING READERS
Friday, April 24, 11am
Glendale
78-60 73 Place
FOR CHILDREN (Ages 6-11)
Friday, April 3, 3:30pm
South Hollis
204-01 Hollis Avenue
Wednesday, April 22, 4pm
Ridgewood
20-12 Madison Street
RAINFOREST TERRARIUMS WITH QUEENS COUNTY FARM
Monday, April 6, 3:30pm
Glen Oaks
256-04 Union Turnpike
Thursday, April 9, 3:30pm
South Ozone Park
128-16 Rockaway Boulevard
Tuesday, April 21, 4pm
Queens Village
94-11 217 Street
PLANET VIBES ONLY: DESERT BIOMES WITH IDLEWILD ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Thursday, April 9, 4pm
St. Albans
191-05 Linden Boulevard
PLANET VIBES ONLY: ANIMAL LIFE CYCLES WITH IDLEWILD ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Monday, April 13, 4pm
Poppenhusen
121-23 14 Avenue, College Point
Monday, April 13, 4pm
Steinway
21-45 31 Street, Astoria
Wednesday, April 15, 4pm|
Fresh Meadows
193-20 Horace Harding Expressway
Thursday, April 16, 4pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street
Friday, April 17, 4pm
Langston Hughes
100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona
Saturday, April 18, 3pm
Glen Oaks
256-04 Union Turnpike
Monday, April 20, 4pm
Howard Beach
92-06 156 Avenue
Thursday, April 23, 3:30pm
Arverne
312 Beach 54 Street
Friday, April 24, 3:30pm
Auburndale
25-55 Francis
Monday, April 27, 3:30pm
Far Rockaway
1637 Central Avenue
Tuesday, April 28, 4pm
Woodhaven
85-41 Forest Parkway
FOR TEENS (Ages 13-18)
INNOVATION STATIONS: ECOPRINT & NATURAL DYE LAB
Friday, April 3, 3pm
Woodside
54-22 Skillman Avenue
Monday, April 13, 20, 4pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard
Friday, April 17, 3:30pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
INNOVATION STATIONS: SPECTACULAR SCIENCE - FARMSTEAD ON ROBLOX
Monday, April 6, 3:30pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard
Monday, April 6, 3:30pm
Ozone Park
92-24 Rockaway Boulevard
Tuesday, April 7, 3:30pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard
Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28, 3:30pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Monday, April 13, 3:30pm
Ozone Park
92-24 Rockaway Boulevard
Friday, April 17, 3:30pm
Corona
38-23 104 Street
Monday, April 27, 3:30pm
Thursday, April 30, 3:30pm
Woodhaven
85-41 Forest Parkway
INNOVATION STATIONS: SPECTACULAR SCIENCE - SUSTAINABILITY IN MINECRAFT
Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 3:30pm
Ridgewood
20-12 Madison Street
Wednesday, April 8, 2pm
Queensbridge
10-43 41 Avenue, Long Island City
Wednesdays, April 15, 22, 3:30pm
Woodhaven
85-41 Forest Parkway
Wednesday, April 15, 3:30pm
Corona
38-23 104 Street
INNOVATION STATIONS: GHOST NETS
Friday, April 10, 3pm
Saturday, April 11, 3pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard
Monday, April 27, 3:30pm
Ozone Park
191-05 Linden Boulevard
Tuesday, April 28, 3:30pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Wednesday, April 29, 3:30pm
Hunters Point
47-40 Center Boulevard, Long Island City
SPIRAL HERBAL GARDEN WITH MAZORCA COLECTIVA
Monday, April 13, 4pm
Queens Village
94-11 217 Street
Tuesday, April 14, 4pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street
Wednesday, April 15, 4pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Thursday, April 16, 4pm
Rosedale
144-20 243 Street
Monday, April 20, 4pm
South Jamaica
108-41 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard
Tuesday, April 21, 4pm
East Flushing
196-36 Northern Boulevard
Friday, April 24, 3pm
North Hills
57-04 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck
Wednesday, April 29, 3:30pm
South Hollis
204-01 Hollis Avenue
FOR ADULTS
CITIZEN PREPAREDNESS CORPS: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Monday, April 13, 2pm
Bay Terrace
18-36 Bell Boulevard, Bayside
Tuesday, April 21, 4pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street
Thursday, April 23, 5pm
Lefferts
103-34 Lefferts Boulevard, Richmond Hill
Thursday, April 16, 6pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Wednesdays, April 15, 22, 29 at 1pm
Thursdays, April 16, 23, 30 at 6pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street
Fridays, April 17; May 29; June 12
3pm
Poppenhusen
121-23 14 Avenue, College Point
NATURE AS MEDICINE: STRESS, BURNOUT & RESILIENCE FOR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING (VIRTUAL)
Join here: queenslib.org/4r1gGX
Meeting ID: 814 3959 4619
Passcode: nature
Monday, April 20, 6pm
FOOD FOR LIFE: HEALTHY BASICS: THE POWER OF YOUR PLATE (IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL)
In-person
Tuesday, April 21, 11am
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica
Virtual
Thursday, April 23, 6pm
Join here: queenslib.org/3Kqx
Meeting ID: 828 4202 8833
Passcode: 148490
Books for Adults
Abundance
by Ezra Klein
Print | eBook | audiobook
All the Water in the World
by Eiren Caffall
Print | eBook | audiobook
Carbon: The Book of Life
by Paul Hawken
Print | eBook
The Deluge
by Stephen Markley
Print | eBook
No Straight Road Takes You There: Essays for Uneven Terrain
by Rebecca Solnit
Print
The Overstory
by Richard Powers
Print | eBook | audiobook
The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family's Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life
by Amy Bowers Cordalis
Print
We Are Eating the Earth
by Michael Grunwald
Print | eBook
When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy
by Beronda Montgomery
Print
Wildfire Days
by Kelly Ramsey
Print | eBook
Books for Teens
Dry
by Neal Shusterman
Print
Earth Day and the Environmental Movement
by Christy Peterson
Print | eBook
Green Nation Revolution: Use Your Future to Change the World
by Valentina Giannella
Print
Love in the Time of Global Warming
by Francesca Lia Block
Print
No Planet B
by Lucy Diavolo
Print
Orleans
by Sherri L. Smith
Print
Trash
by Andy Mulligan
Print
Unnatural Disasters
by Jeff Hirsch
Print
War Girls
by Tochi Onyebuchi
Print | audiobook
Books for Kids
Black Beach
by Shaunna Sith
Print
Curious George Plants a Tree
by Monica Perez
Print | eBook
The Earth Book
by Todd Parr
Print | eBook
It's Earth Day, Cookie Monster!
by Mary Lindeen
Print | eBook
Kids Fight Climate Change
by Martin Dorey
Print | eBook
Nate the Great and the Earth Day Robot
by Andrew Sharmat
Print | eBook | audiobook
The Night Before Earth Day
by Natasha Wing
Print | eBook
We Are Water Protectors
by Carole Lindstrom
Print | audiobook | Chinese 中文
You Can Change the World
by Lucy Bell
Print | eBook | Español
Your Planet Needs You
by Philip Bunting
Print | eBook | Español
Digital Platforms Available for Free with Your QPL Card
Queens Public Library offers free access to a range of digital platforms which provide informative and helpful guidance to learn more about our planet and what we can do to protect our future. Log-in to the platforms listed below with your library card account to access for free!
Great Courses Library Collection
This leading global media brand for life-long learning is available for free with your library card account! Search for these recommendations after log-in.
Recommended:
- How the Earth Works
- Big History: The Big Bang, Life on Earth, and the Rise of Humanity
- Oceanography: Exploring Earth's Final Wilderness
Hoopla Digital
A digital streaming service for library users to access movies, TV shows, audiobooks, comics, and music.
Recommended:
- Climate Justice by Mary Robinson (audiobook for adults)
- A Brief History of the Earth's Climate by Steven Earle (audiobook for adults)
- Climate Warriors (documentary film for teens and adults)
- Climate Trailblazers: Reimagining Our Futures (documentary film for teens and adults)
OverDrive
Offers full color eMagazines, audiobooks, and eBooks for all devices. You may access offline reading on OverDrive's Libby app.
Recommended:
- NatureVolve: Exploring Earth and Space Issue 13 (eMagazine for all ages)
- Imagine5 Magazine Vol. 4 (eMagazine for teens and adults)
Recommended Resources
Residential waste makes up 35 percent of the total waste stream in NYC. Take this Earth Month to make greener choices about your waste and energy consumption. Find recommended resources below to learn simple ways you can produce less waste, consume less energy and help support sustainability in New York City.
- The Sanitation Foundation’s NYC Trash Academy is accepting applications for the 2026 Independent Study. Participants gain access to 10 on-demand modules covering waste management, environmental justice, and the circular economy. Rolling enrollment is now open from April 1 through November 1, 2026!
- Don’t have time for a full Trash Academy course? Take a DSNY Clean Buildings Training for NYC residents. This one-hour online course covers the basics of recycling, composting, and special waste in NYC, and gives participants the tools to help improve waste management where they live. Find NYC resident courses online at the DSNY Eventbrite page.
- Adopt a Spot for the Sanitation Foundation! The Adopt a Spot program asks New Yorkers to select a spot—from the park down the street to the storm drain outside their front door—and keep it clean and free of litter as part of their daily or weekly routine.
- Compost your organic waste. Curbside composting is now mandatory citywide, including yard waste, greasy paper, and all food scraps. Over one third of NYC refuse sent to landfills by New Yorkers could be diverted through curbside composting. Visit the DSNY website for more information on compliance, and to learn about free compost giveback programs to get compost for your garden.
- Study to be a Master Composter through the NYC Community Compost Network. Nonprofits in this network promote composting through local food scrap collection and workshops on soil health and maintenance. Check back later in 2026 for Master Composter classes at Queens Public Library!
- Textiles form a small but challenging portion of NYC’s waste stream. Keep textiles out of landfills by buying clothes second-hand, participating in a local clothing swap, and donating or recycling unwanted textiles. Find a textile recycling site near you using the DSNY website.
- Participate in a toy or clothing swap. Local Buy Nothing group (The Buy Nothing Project) or join a toy swap at your local QPL branch.
- Study up! Join a Climate Ready workshop at QPL to learn how climate change impacts our community and what you can do to create a more climate-resilient Queens.
- Shop local at a Grow NYC greenmarket. Farmers Markets are a great way to reduce carbon emissions through shorter transport distances and minimal packaging. Find a market near you on the Grow NYC website.
- Find out how much you contribute to climate change! Use the EPA's easy carbon footprint calculator to simulate how much carbon emissions you and your household are contributing and what you can do to reduce both emissions and cost. Then, join the climate pledge to see what else you can do to reduce the effects of climate change.
- Request a flood kit and get Rainfall Ready with NYC DEP.
- Chronic tidal flooding is projected to impact thousands of households in communities across NYC, half of which surround Jamaica Bay. Explore the city’s new Flood Vulnerability Index through the NYC Flood Hazard map.
- The EJNYC Mapping tool, developed by the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, equips New Yorkers with the information necessary to advocate for and make informed decisions about environmental justice issues in NYC.
- Get prepared for extreme weather. Attend a Citizen Preparedness Corps workshop at QPL this Spring to learn how to pack a go bag, develop a family emergency plan, and check on vulnerable neighbors during storms or excessively hot or cold periods. Find more resources online at Ready NY.
- Bike to school or work this month! Request a free copy of the NYC Bike Map and plot a route today using a personal bike or a Citi Bike. Learn about bike safety classes through Bike New York or free helmet giveaways from the Department of Transportation.
Flushing Library to Temporarily Close for Essential Safety Improvements
Flushing, NY—Queens Public Library’s Flushing branch (41-17 Main St.) will close for approximately five weeks starting Monday, April 27, 2026, for the completion of two critical safety improvements. The work, managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), includes the replacement of the fire alarm system’s smoke dampers and the addition of a new fuel tank for the building’s generator. The library is expected to reopen in early June.
Additionally, the library’s auditorium will close on Monday, March 30, 2026, for the duration of the shutdown, as part of the fire alarm system work. QPL will also perform maintenance on the service elevator while the building is closed.
“These important upgrades will take place simultaneously to minimize disruption to the public,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Flushing Library, constructed nearly 30 years ago, is one of the busiest in our system. The time has come to make these necessary improvements, and we recognize the impact this temporary closure will have on our customers and staff. We are grateful for their patience as the Library and DDC work to ensure the building remains safe and fully functional.”
While Flushing Library is closed, customers can visit nearby QPL locations, including McGoldrick Library (155-06 Roosevelt Avenue), Mitchell-Linden Library (31-32 Union Street), and East Flushing Library (196-36 Northern Boulevard).
Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org
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Hey QPL Teens: registration for our 3rd annual Prom x QPL Prom Attire Giveaway is now open!
We have hundreds of FREE brand-new and gently used prom dresses, tuxedos, shoes, handbags, and jewelry, all of which were generously donated by members of the Queens community (and beyond) to help make prom fun, fabulous, and memorable for the teens of Queens.
Prom x QPL is going to be a total blast, with music, freebies, photos, and lots of FREE prom attire for you to choose from!
Join us on these dates at the Cambria Heights Teen Center (218-13 Linden Boulevard):
- Big Giveaway Event: Saturday, April 4, 10:30am-5pm (this is when we will have the most reservations available)
- Monday, April 6, 11am-4pm
- Tuesday, April 7, 11am-4pm
- Wednesday, April 8, 11am-4pm
- Thursday, April 9, 1pm-6pm
- Friday, April 10, 11am-4pm
Registration is required to participate in our Prom Attire Giveaway. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Items are only available for students who are attending prom this spring.
Prom attire sizing is limited. Please note that we have a limited quantity of suits.
Students may bring one (1) friend or family member to accompany them.
Please fill out this registration form carefully, as we have limited capacity and a limited amount of attire available.
Prom x QPL: Prom Workshops on Saturday, April 4
During the 3rd annual Prom x QPL Big Giveaway Event at the Cambria Heights Teen Center, we're thrilled to offer fun-filled workshops for students attending prom!
Explore valuable prom-themed topics, like hair and makeup tutorials, prom safety, and more!
Registration is required for these workshops.
This is a separate registration from the Big Giveaway Event.
If you plan to or have already registered for a shopping appointment on Saturday, April 4, please make sure that your appointment does not conflict with your desired workshop!
Prom Without the Problems: a Prom Safety Workshop (April 4 at 12pm)
Prepare for a fun and safe prom night! This workshop covers smart decision-making, peer pressure, transportation planning, and tips for looking out for yourself and your friends so everyone can celebrate safely.
Makeup Magic (April 4 at 1pm)
Get ready for prom with this fun, hands-on makeup workshop designed just for teens! Participants will learn step-by-step techniques for creating a glam prom look.
Hair Goals (April 4 at 2pm)
Learn how to create the perfect prom hairstyle! This workshop teaches teens simple techniques for curls, braids, and elegant updos.
The Gentleman's Experience (April 4 at 3pm)
This interactive workshop helps teen boys build confidence through personal style, grooming, and self-presentation.
Glow Like a Star: Skincare Workshop (April 4 at 4pm)
This hands-on workshop will introduce teens to the basics of esthetics, including skincare routines, skin types, and healthy skin habits. Work with a licensed esthetician to create a mini skincare routine to take home!
QPL Celebrates Its 130th Anniversary with Free, Instant Access to 15 Popular eBooks
The Library also invites customers to explore all QPL locations with a system-wide trading card scavenger hunt
QUEENS, NY_ Queens Public Library is celebrating its 130th anniversary with a series of initiatives highlighting its rich history and collections—including limited-time instant access to 15 of its most popular eBook titles, with no waiting lists, through the Libby app and OverDrive platform.
The campaign will run from March 19 at 10 a.m. through March 20 at 11:59 p.m. and will feature recent customer favorites and trending titles including: Rachel Reid's Game Changers series (including Heated Rivalry), Katabasis by R. F. Kuang, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, The Astral Library by Kate Quinn, We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter, Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, James by Percival Everett, and Kin by Tayari Jones.
Children’s and teens titles include Dog Man: Big Jim Believes by Dav Pilkey, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypoopers by Jeff Kinney, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
Another digital celebration is taking place on Queens Memory’s Name Explorer website, with a registry of individuals who have worked for, supported, or in other ways impacted QPL and our communities.
Beginning March 19, customers can also join a system-wide scavenger hunt to collect limited-edition library trading cards showcasing each location’s hidden treasures—from rare books and WPA murals to unique artworks and standout architecture. Visitors who complete a brief activity at a specific location will receive a trading card representing that library.
"For 130 years, our libraries have opened doors to opportunity for the people of Queens," said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. "Growing from one location in Long Island City to 66 branches across the borough, we have continually evolved, expanding beyond books and beyond our walls to offer everything from children's storytimes and ESOL classes for new Americans to free Wi-Fi, computer access, job skills workshops, and other essential services that meet the changing needs of our diverse communities."
Queens Public Library was founded March 19, 1896, when the Long Island City Public Library received its charter from the New York State Board of Regents. Its first location — the Nelson Branch in Hunters Point — opened on August 3, 1896. The Steinway Free Circulating Library became its second branch later that year, following the death of its founder, William Steinway, whose father, Henry E. Steinway, established the renowned piano company, Steinway & Sons. Its third branch, Astoria, opened in a rented storefront on Fulton Avenue in February 1898. Elsewhere in Queens around that time, other efforts were underway to merge several private libraries into a single public institution to further their missions. The system was renamed Queens Borough Library, reflecting its commitment to serving communities across the borough. Today, QPL has 66 locations throughout Queens, with most of its 2.4 million residents living within a mile of a library.
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages, technology, and digital resources. Each year, the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational, cultural, and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors. With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens, the Library consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology lab at the Queensbridge public housing complex, a community learning center at the Ravenswood public housing complex, and five teen centers. It also has five bookmobiles and two book bicycles.
CONTACT: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org
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Astronauts aboard the International Space Station talked about their experiences through a live broadcast feed
Live from the International Space Station: Astronauts Connect with Flushing Students at Queens Public Library
QUEENS, NY_ The International Space Station (ISS) made a brief “landing” at Queens Public Library’s Flushing branch auditorium at 41-17 Main Street, where astronauts aboard the station spoke to 200 fifth graders from P.S. 24 about their experiences through a live broadcast feed. Students asked questions on behalf of children from across Queens, and the conversation can be viewed on NASA’s YouTube channel.
Participating astronauts included Chris Williams, a NASA astronaut and flight engineer for Expedition 74, and Jack Hathaway, a U.S. Navy commander and NASA astronaut who serves as pilot for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission.
“This event was an amazing opportunity for students to speak live with astronauts aboard the International Space Station and learn firsthand what life in outer space is really like,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Our role is to open new worlds for everyone, and we are thrilled to partner with NASA as these astronauts carry out their mission in space, while we carry out ours here on Earth.”
The event was part of QPL’s ongoing STEM education programming. For the past year, branches across the system have hosted programs focusing on life aboard the ISS in a microgravity environment, where astronauts are nearly weightless. With support from Arm Education, Queens Public Library has installed 52 “ISS Above” video screens at library locations and on QPL bookmobiles. The device tracks when the ISS will pass overhead, shows its real-time orbital position and current crew, and streams live views of Earth from the station’s external cameras.
QPL’s STEM education efforts are designed to inspire young people to explore science and technology, with a focus on space and discovery. Last year, QPL launched its first annual Space Month for children and teens, featuring immersive planetarium experiences, miniature Nano Rover design workshops, and conversations with former NASA astronauts.
About the International Space Station:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a large research laboratory orbiting Earth that provides a unique environment for scientific experiments in microgravity and human spaceflight. Built through international collaboration, the ISS is jointly operated by space agencies from the United States, Russia, Japan, Europe, and Canada. Equipped with laboratories, living quarters, solar arrays, and robotic arms, the ISS enables vital research in biology, physics, and the effects of space on the human body, while helping advance technologies for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Program sponsors include ISS Above, Arm Education, and The Explorers Club.
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About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages, technology, and digital resources. Each year, the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational, cultural, and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors. With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens, the Library consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology lab at the Queensbridge public housing complex, a community learning center at the Ravenswood public housing complex, and five teen centers. It also has five bookmobiles and two book bicycles.
About ISS Above
The ISS-Above is a fun and educational device that connects people to the International Space Station, and specifically to the humans on board. The ISS Above mission is to bring this magnificent human scientific achievement into homes, schools and offices and to inspire awe in the beauty and fragility of the planet we on Earth call home. Visit: https://www.issabove.com/
About The Explorer’s Club
Headquartered in New York City with a community of Chapters around the world, The Explorers Club is a multi-disciplinary society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration, and resource conservation. The Explorers Club has been supporting scientific expeditions of all disciplines and uniting our members in the bonds of good fellowship for over a century. Visit: https://www.explorers.org.
About Arm Education
Arm provides the industry’s most efficient and highest-performing compute platform, with more than 325 billion Arm-based devices shipped to date. Together with the world’s largest computing ecosystem and over 22 million software developers, Arm is building the AI experiences of the future for everyone. Arm Education’s mission is to help close education and skills gaps in Computer Engineering and STEM for the benefit of society.
CONTACT: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org
RESEARCH TOOLS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS — AVAILABLE FOR FREE WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD
Research can be a large part of studying, doing homework, and writing essays or reports. At Queens Public Library, we have several databases to help keep students on the right track. Browse below to discover digital research tools available for free with your library card!
Brainfuse HelpNow
Use Brainfuse to get live homework help in math, science, reading, writing, social studies, and more — academic tutoring is now available 24/7.
Britannica Academic
This platform includes Encyclopedia Britannica plus Merriam‑Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and more.
Britannica Escolar
Spanish‑language digital learning platform offering leveled articles, multimedia, and classroom‑ready tools for elementary and middle school students.
Britannica Middle
For Middle Schoolers: Use this site to find fast answers and homework help through videos and articles.
Britannica High
For High Schoolers: Use this site to get quick facts and in‑depth information on a wide variety of subjects.
Fiero Learning
A learn‑to‑code software providing coding education to children — designed for self‑guided learning as well as classroom instruction.
OverDrive | Libby App
Use OverDrive and the Libby App to access eBooks, including world language books in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
Research in Context by Gale
This resource contains magazines, newspapers, primary sources, and videos for students in Grades 6–8.
Student Resources in Context by Gale
This is an engaging online experience for those seeking contextual information on a wide area of subjects.
TeenBookCloud by TumbleBooks
Discover large collections of YA/Teen eBooks and audiobooks, classics, poetry, short stories, graphic novels, and National Geographic educational videos.
WorldBook Online
An online encyclopedia which grows with children, from pre‑K to grades 9 and up. It provides articles, activities, games, science projects, lesson plans, and more.