Blog posts

Do you have an old prom dress, tuxedo, or other formal wear taking up space in your closet?

Please donate your formal wear for the 3rd annual Queens Public Library Prom Attire Collection and Giveaway Event!

Your donation will help make prom a fun, fabulous, and memorable experience for the QPL Teens in your community.

You can donate new or gently used dresses, tuxedos, shoes, bags, and jewelry from February 23 through March 20 at these 14 QPL locations, during our regular hours of service:

• Bayside (214-20 Northern Boulevard)
• Broadway (40-20 Broadway)
• Cambria Heights (218-13 Linden Boulevard)
• Central Library (89-11 Merrick Boulevard)
• Elmhurst (86-07 Broadway)
• Far Rockaway (1637 Central Avenue)
• Forest Hills (108-19 71 Avenue)
• Fresh Meadows (193-20 Horace Harding Expressway)
• Glen Oaks (256-04 Union Turnpike)
• Howard Beach (92-06 156 Avenue)
• Hunters Point (47-40 Center Boulevard)
• Jackson Heights (35-51 81 Street)
• Peninsula (92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard)
• Ridgewood (20-12 Madison Street)

Our Prom x QPL Giveaway will be held at the Cambria Heights Teen Center on Saturday, April 4, with additional shopping appointments available from April 6-10. Stay tuned for more information!

Please make sure that your donations are in good condition. We encourage you to launder or dry clean items before donating them.

QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott and Council Member Joann Ariola welcome customers to Seaside Library on Feb. 5 after the branch reopened following its HVAC replacement project. Photo credit: Matthew Lapiska/DDC

QPL’s Seaside Branch Reopens after $2.4 Million HVAC System Replacement

Visuals Available Here

(Queens, NY – February 5, 2026) Queens Public Library (QPL) President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle, Council Member Joann Ariola, along with library staff and community members, today celebrated the re-opening of the Seaside Library following the installation of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 

“We know the community has eagerly awaited the reopening of this branch, and our team is thrilled to resume service in a space that will be comfortably heated and cooled,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “I am grateful to the public and our staff for their patience during construction, and I thank our elected officials for supporting the project and the NYC Department of Design and Construction for managing it.”

“Seaside Library is an important staple and gathering space for the Rockaway community and we’re very pleased to have delivered this project that completely renovated the building’s heating, cooling and ventilation system,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Acting Commissioner Edurdo del Valle. “The renovation, which was completed on budget, will give Seaside Library goers a comfortable space while they read.”

“Our libraries are refuges for our families in so many ways. Not only do they provide us the great reads that transport us to fantastic lands, but they also provide us a place to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The Seaside Library's new HVAC system will allow this branch to continue to be that refuge from the elements that our families rely on, especially in frigid weeks like this one. Thank you to our partners at the Queens Public Library and NYC DDC for their work to bring this project over the finish line.”

“The Seaside Library has always been a cornerstone of the community, and its reopening is something that Rockaway residents have been looking forward to for a long time,” said NYC Councilwoman Joann Ariola. “Thank you to everyone for your patience during this long process, and I can't wait to see all of the amazing programming the library has in store for the neighborhood.”

“Community Board 14 is pleased to announce the long-awaited reopening of the Seaside Library following a two-year closure to install a modern, energy efficient HVAC system. This critical upgrade ensures that the branch can continue to serve residents in a safe, comfortable, and climate-controlled environment year-round,” said Community Board 14 District Manager Felicia Johnson. “Throughout the closure, the community has shown tremendous patience and support. Residents have been eagerly anticipating the return of this essential neighborhood resource, and their enthusiasm reflects just how vital the Seaside Library is to the fabric of our community. Community Board 14 extends its sincere appreciation to Queens Public Library for overseeing the project with great care and for ensuring that all work was completed safely and responsibly. With the upgrades now complete, we are excited to welcome residents back and look forward to seeing the Seaside Library once again thrive as a hub for learning, connection, and community life.”

Lunar New Year is a tradition for welcoming a fresh start to the new year, as well as for honoring ancestors.

We invite everyone to enjoy our book recommendations and join us at the Library for special programs (including traditional music, crafts, and more) celebrating the Year of the Horse.

QPL is also marching in the 2026 Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing on Saturday, February 21. We can’t wait to see you there!

Lunar New Year Book Lists

Lunar New Year Books for Adults

Lunar New Year Books for Teens

Lunar New Year Books for Kids

Lunar New Year Programs

Here are some of our great Lunar New Year programs!

Click on the link in each title for more information, and visit the QPL Calendar to see the complete list.

Celebrate Lunar New Year: Make a Citrus Tree in a Pot with Artist Natalie Leung (in Chinese and English) (In-Person)
During this bilingual workshop, we will create a citrus tree using floral wire stems and chenille stems as our main craft supplies. Come join us and create a fun New Year craft!

Wednesday, February 4, 3:30pm
Windsor Park Library
79-50 Bell Boulevard, Hollis Hills

Friday, February 6, 3:30pm
North Hills Library
57-04 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck

Saturday, February 7, 3pm
Woodside Library
54-22 Skillman Avenue

Monday, February 9, 3:30pm
Ridgewood Library
20-12 Madison Street

Wednesday, February 11, 3:30pm
Mitchell-Linden Library
31-32 Union Street, Flushing

Thursday, February 12, 3:30pm
Bayside Library
214-20 Northern Boulevard

Friday, February 13, 4pm
Sunnyside Library
43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City

Wednesday, February 18, 4pm
Ozone Park Library
92-24 Rockaway Boulevard

Thursday, February 19, 4pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street

*****

Culture Bridge: Preparing for Tết: Symbols, Traditions, and New Year Flavors, Part One (In-Person & Virtual)
Join Katherine Tien Hung for an introduction to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Explore the cultural meaning of Tết and how families prepare their homes and tables to welcome the new year.

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/3Lac3
Meeting ID: 838 1832 5492
Passcode: 786856

Wednesday, February 4, 4pm
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street

*****

Culture Bridge: Gathering Around the Table: Comfort Foods of Tết, Part Two (In-Person & Virtual)
Join Katherine Tien Hung as we focus on the role of food and family during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, including a cooking demonstration of two beloved holiday dishes!

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/4jLCm7M
Meeting ID: 851 6580 4369
Passcode: 439645

Wednesday, February 11, 4pm
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street

*****

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Author Michele Wong McSween (In-Person)
Gallop into joy and celebration as we welcome the Year of the Horse with a lively event featuring interactive storytelling, bilingual activities, a fun horse-themed craft, and a special meet-and-greet with Michele Wong McSween, author of the Gordon & Li Li series of children's books!

Thursday, February 12, 4pm
Sunnyside Library
43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City

*****

Chinese Arts & Crafts Program: Year of the Horse (In-Person)
Join us for this arts and crafts demonstration! We will be making hanging ornaments, origami, and other Chinese crafts.

Saturday, February 14, 2pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

*****

Culture Bridge: Year of the Horse: Spring Festival Concert (In-Person & Virtual)
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a special Spring Festival Concert! Renowned instrumentalists and accomplished folk musicians will perform traditional Chinese music, blending ancient charm with modern style.

Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/4qarY
Meeting ID: 840 3932 9254
Passcode: 113012

Saturday, February 14, 2pm
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street

*****

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Chinese Theatre Works (In-Person)
Every year, Chinese Theatre Works celebrates the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” (traditional Chinese glove puppetry) production featuring the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. The Horse is the star of this year’s show!

Thursday, February 19, 4pm
McGoldrick Library
155-06 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing

Saturday, February 28, 2pm
Elmhurst Library
86-07 Broadway

*****

Culture Bridge: Lantern Festival (In-Person)
Join us and our co-hosts the Chinese American Parents’ Association, along with staff from PS 24, PS 120, PS 244 and PS 214. We will teach kids and their families how to make lanterns and introduce them to Chinese culture and customs.

Saturday, February 28, 1pm
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street

Tax season is here!

Filing taxes can be an overwhelming, complicated process. But it doesn’t have to be.

Queens Public Library is partnering with a number of organizations to offer FREE in-person tax counseling sessions for New Yorkers at several QPL locations.

During these sessions, professionals from our partner organizations will help you prepare (and in many cases e-file) your tax returns.

For more details about these tax counseling sessions, and to learn how you can schedule an appointment:

• Visit the QPL Calendar
• Pick up a copy of our Tax Help Brochure at your local library
• Download a copy of our Tax Help Brochure here.

The following essential documents are required to prepare your taxes, and must be brought to any in-person tax counseling session. Please read our Tax Help Brochure to learn about any additional documents that may apply to you.

• Government issued picture ID
• Driver’s or non-driver’s license required for NY State tax return
• Social Security cards or ITIN documents for everyone listed on your tax return
• Copy of last year’s tax return (if you filed)

Please note that Queens Public Library does not operate these programs, does not vouch for the accuracy of information disseminated during such programs, and assumes no responsibility for any statements made.

This January, we’re celebrating space exploration at Queens Public Library!

Join us from January 26-31 for space-themed science and art programs, fascinating NASA presentations, and much more.

Read this special blog post to learn more about our Space Week programs and book lists, and enjoy resources provided by NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration)!

Queens Memory: Queens Name Explorer: Spotlight on Space

Our friends at Queens Memory are helping us celebrate space exploration!

Did you know that there are places in Queens named after space pioneers like Ronald McNair, Virgil Grissom, and Christa McAuliffe?

Learn more on the Queens Name Explorer!

Space Week Programs

Here are some of our great Space Week programs for kids and teens!

Our Space Week Brochure also has a highlighted list of Space Week programs. Visit your local QPL branch to pick up a copy, or download it here!

Visit queenslib.org/SpacePrograms to see all our Space Week programs.

Programs for Kids 6-11

Space Technology with Mad Science
Discover technology designed for outer space! Steer a laser beam through a laser maze, find hidden mountains using the principles of radar technology and discover everyday objects originally designed for use in space as we assemble our own stereoscopic viewers! Space is limited. First-come, first-served.

Monday, January 26, 3:30pm
Windsor Park Library
79-50 Bell Boulevard, Bayside

Wednesday, January 28, 3pm
East Flushing Library
196-36 Northern Boulevard, Flushing

Friday, January 30, 3pm
Jackson Heights Library
35-51 81 Street

*****

The Sky Tonight with That Planetarium Guy
The Sky Tonight is a magical planetarium experience that takes you on a tour of the night sky—just as it will appear over Queens, but without all the city lights in the way! It’s a space adventure you won’t want to miss! Please call or visit the branch in person to register and save your spot.

Monday, January 26, 3:30pm
Ridgewood Library
20-12 Madison Street

Tuesday, January 27, 3pm
Far Rockaway Library
1637 Central Avenue

Wednesday, January 28, 4pm
Queens Village Library
94-11 217 Street

Thursday, January 29, 4pm
Langston Hughes Library
100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona

Friday, January 30, 4pm
Peninsula Library
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Beach

Saturday, January 31, 1pm
Forest Hills Library
108-19 71 Avenue

*****

LEGO NASA Space Adventure with Young Engineers
It’s time for an intergalactic adventure! In this hands-on and fun-filled program, you’ll construct LEGO NASA models inspired by NASA’s real-life accomplishments.

Monday, January 26, 4pm
Long Island City Library
37-44 21 Street

Tuesday, January 27, 3pm
Glendale Library
78-60 73 Place

Thursday, January 29, 4pm
St Albans Library
191-05 Linden Boulevard

Saturday, January 31, 4pm
Sunnyside Library
43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City

Programs for Teens 13+

Area 51: NASA Rover Project with Young Engineers
Teens! Get ready to design, build, and race. You will put your engineering skills to the test by constructing a team-built NASA Rover to race across an out-of-this-world course. This program is perfect for those interested in space exploration and science.

Wednesday, January 28, 4pm
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street

*****

Moon Hunt for Teens
Navigate the Moon Maze labyrinth, engage in epic bow-and-arrow battles during Solar Flare, and unleash your creativity in the Many Moons Build Challenge, where you will construct imaginative moon- themed structures like lunar bases, meteorite bunkers, or glowing moon sculptures! 

Wednesday, January 28, 4pm
Rochdale Village Library
169-09 137 Avenue, Jamaica

Friday, January 30, 3pm (with Arrayscape Gaming)
Cambria Heights Library
218-13 Linden Boulevard

Space Week Book Lists

Check out our book recommendations for all ages, including sci-fi novels, photographic voyages into deep space, stories of space exploration trailblazers, and more!

Space Week Books for Adults

Space Week Books for Teens

Space Week Books for Kids

NASA Resources

Be a Virtual Guest at the Artemis II Launch
No later than April 2026, the Artemis II mission will launch a crew of four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon! You're invited to join NASA as a virtual guest for the mission. Virtual guests will receive communications about launch schedule changes, information about launch-related activities, and access to curated STEM resources.
Learn More and Register.

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory's Micro to Macro Website
What similarities can we find when we compare the extremely big to the incredibly small? A new collaboration between NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and Nikon Small World looks for the answer, using imagery from some of the world’s most powerful telescopes and high-powered modern microscopes. Visit the Micro to Macro website to explore the world and universe around us like never before. Marvel at awe-inspiring images, learn about the technology used to capture them, and dive deeper with related activities!

NASA EXPRESS Newsletter
Keep up with the latest NASA STEM happenings by subscribing to the NASA EXPRESS newsletter. Each weekly email features at-home activities to inspire learning and exploration. Find crafting ideas, science experiments with household items, and videos to watch as a family. Updates on workshops, internships, contests, and student challenges are also included.

NASA STEM Resources
Are you looking for NASA STEM materials?
Search hundreds of resources: https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/search

Science for Everyone
Science starts with questions, leading to discoveries. With so many ways to connect with and experience NASA's mission of scientific exploration and discovery, there's something here to awaken the curiosity in everyone.
Learn More at: https://science.nasa.gov/for-everyone (en Español: https://ciencia.nasa.gov)

Get Involved with NASA
NASA invites members of the public to contribute their time and expertise to advancing research, solving problems, and potentially winning prizes as a result of their work.
Find out about all of the ways you can bring NASA into your life: https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved

Culture Pass Surpasses Half a Million Reservations

The program has grown to now provide free passes to over 100 museums and cultural institutions to Brooklyn, Queens and New York Public Library Cardholders

New York—The Brooklyn, Queens and New York Public libraries announced today that their joint Culture Pass program has surpassed 500,000 reservations. Culture Pass unlocks New York’s cultural treasures by providing library cardholders free admission to over 100 museums and cultural attractions in all five boroughs.

The program, which began in the summer of 2018, has continued to see remarkable growth, even with a brief pause just two years into the program because of the pandemic. Starting with only 30 participating institutions, the program now offers access to 100 museums, gardens, historic homes, and performance venues. In 2025, BPL, QPL, and NYPL cardholders made nearly 120,000 Culture Pass reservations—the highest yearly total since the program began.

Participating organizations generously donate passes to the program on a monthly basis, helping to build awareness and expand audiences. The total estimated value of all passes reserved since the program launched is $25,647,435.

“Culture Pass has been an outstanding partner for the Whitney, and we are proud to collaborate with New York City’s public libraries to improve access. Libraries played a key role during our inaugural year of Free Second Sunday, and we value maintaining this partnership. We believe that access to art should be an integral part of civic life, and Culture Pass helps make that a reality for more New Yorkers. It is a vital resource that encourages inclusivity, making visitors feel welcome at the Museum and connected to art and ideas instantly and openly,” said Cris Scorza, the Helena Rubinstein Chair of Education, the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Culture Pass was designed to eliminate barriers to entry to museums and other cultural institutions, including but not limited to the cost of admission, unfamiliarity with visiting museums, or the perception that museums were overly formal. Approximately 75 percent of Culture Pass users report visiting a site they had never been to before. In addition, over half of the reservations were made by New Yorkers living in low or mixed-income neighborhoods.

“Culture Pass embodies the very mission of a public library: to provide free resources for learning, be that between the pages of a book or on the walls of a gallery. We are grateful to the organizations who provide free passes, ensuring all New Yorkers can access the world-class museums and performance spaces across the city,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library.

“A public library card is every New Yorker's key to unlocking this city’s wealth of cultural treasures,” said Anthony W. Marx, President and CEO of The New York Public Library. “Library card holders not only gain access to our world-class collections and vast book selection, but also free entry to more than 100 museums, theaters, gardens, and more through Culture Pass."  

“Surpassing 500,000 reservations highlights how essential public libraries are in expanding access to the city’s iconic museums, gardens, and performance spaces,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are thrilled that Culture Pass continues to grow, strengthening our ties to the community while delivering exceptional value at no cost to our cardholders. We are deeply grateful to our partner cultural institutions for their generosity and support.”

Library patrons can reserve one pass per cultural institution per calendar year and have up to four active reservations at one time. Incorporating large and small institutions, from Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, library cardholders can choose from over 100 options including art, performances, films, historic homes, gardens, and more. The wide variety of museums and exhibits reflect the diversity of New York City from El Museo de Barrio to the Bronx Music Heritage Center to the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art and many more.

"Participating in Culture Pass aligns perfectly with our mission to connect bold, challenging new cinema with as broad an audience of New Yorkers as possible, and has brought over 1000 new moviegoers through our doors thus far,” said Adam Grant-Walker, Director of Communications, Film Forum.

In addition, many museums visit library branches throughout the year to provide storytelling, concerts, art, and science programs.

To learn more visit: https://www.culturepass.nyc/. There, you can find out how to reserve a pass or sign up for a library card.

Support for Culture Pass is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.

About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

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 The New York Public Library
For over 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With over 90 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/give.

We hope that you will enjoy these great books and movies that examine the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

We also have special programs at our branches in honor of Dr. King, as well as a unique resource from our Queens Memory team.

All Queens Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 19 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Queens Memory: Martin Luther King, Jr. at Queens College

Special Programs

Book Picks for Kids

Book Picks for Teens and Adults

Movie Picks

Queens Memory: Martin Luther King, Jr. at Queens College

Listen to audio clips from the inaugural John F. Kennedy Lecture Series speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr. on May 13, 1965, at Queens College, City University of New York.

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Special Programs

Click on the link in each title for more information.

MLK Day Ceramic Peace Doves
Tuesday, January 13, 3pm
North Forest Park Library
98-27 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills

*****

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: PreK and Elementary Storytime and Craft
Thursday, January 15, 4pm
Sunnyside Library
43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City

*****

Martin Luther King Jr.: Portrait Making
Thursday, January 15, 4:30pm
South Jamaica Library
108-41 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica

*****

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Friday, January 16, 3:30pm
Arverne Library
312 Beach 54 Street

*****

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peace Craft
Friday, January 16, 3:30pm
Richmond Hill Library
118-14 Hillside Avenue

*****

Fun Friday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Activities
Friday, January 16, 4pm
Glen Oaks Library
256-04 Union Turnpike

*****

Martin Luther King Day Storytime and Group Craft
Tuesday, January 20, 4:30pm
East Elmhurst Library
95-06 Astoria Boulevard

*****

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Book Picks for Kids

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr. (foreword by Coretta Scott King; paintings by fifteen Coretta Scott King Award and Honor Book artists)

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr. (illustrated by Kadir Nelson)
Book | eBook

The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. (selected by Coretta Scott King)

Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King
by Coretta Scott King, Barbara Reynolds, and Ekua Holmes
Book | Audiobook

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla

My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer and Jamie Smith

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Voice for Equality! by James Buckley, Jr. and Youneek Studios
Book | eBook

Free at Last! The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Angela Bull

The Cart That Carried Martin by Eve Bunting and Don Tate
Book | eBook

Martin Luther King: the Peaceful Warrior by Ed Clayton and Donald Bermudez
Book | eBook

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968
by Alice Faye Duncan and R. Gregory Christie
Book | eBook

We March by Shane W. Evans

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World
by Christine King Farris and London Ladd

My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris and Chris Soentpiet

Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Melissa Ferguson
Book | eBook

Martin Luther King Jr.: Walking in the Light by Jon M. Fishman
Book | eBook

Social Revolution and Civil Rights by Martin Gitlin

Martin Luther King, Jr. by Josh Gregory

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Civil Rights Leader by Grace Hansen

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by Lisa M. Herrington

Martin Luther King, Jr. by Kitson Jazynka
Book | eBook

Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?: A Who Was? Board Book
by Lisbeth Kaiser and Stanley Chow

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III and AG Ford
Book | Audiobook

We Dream a World: Carrying the Light From My Grandparents Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King
by Yolanda Renee King and Nicole Tadgell

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day
by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood and Steffi Walthall
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington
by Michael G. Long and Bea Jackson

1963 March on Washington (Protest! March for Change)
by Joyce Markovicks
Book | eBook

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King by Jean Marzollo and Brian J. Pinkney

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial: A Stone of Hope by Joanne Mattern
Book | eBook

Young Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream" by Joanne Mattern and Allan Eitzen

Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Margaret McNamara and Mike Gordon

I Am Brave: A Little Book about Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos

I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos

The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore and Amy Wummer

Dream March: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the March on Washington
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Sally Wern Comport

Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
Book | Audiobook

Martin's Dream (Ana & Andrew) by Christine Platt and Anuki López
Book | eBook

Martin Luther King Jr.: Fighting for Civil Rights by Christine Platt and David Shepard
Book | eBook

Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier
Book | Audiobook

Martin Luther King, Jr. by Lucia Raatma

Martin Luther King...and the Fight for Equality by Sarah Ridley

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange and Kadir Nelson

Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Yong Shelton and Raúl Colón

Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream and You
by Carole Boston Weatherford and James Ransome
Book | eBook

A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Rob Sanders, and Byron McCray
Book | eBook

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation
by Barry Wittenstein and Jerry Pinkney
Book | eBook

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Book Picks for Teens and Adults

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Book | eBook

I Have a Dream and Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Gift of Love: Sermons from Strength to Love and Other Preachings
by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Our God Is Marching On by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Book | eBook

Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Book | eBook

The Trumpet of Conscience by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Book | eBook

Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Last Interview and Other Conversations

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Companion (selected by Coretta Scott King)

The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. (selected by Coretta Scott King)

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (edited by Clayborne Carson)
Book | eBook

The Essential Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream" and Other Great Writings (eBook)
(edited by Clayborne Carson)

A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons
of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
(edited by Clayborne Carson and Peter Holloran)
Book | eBook | Audiobook

A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(edited by Clayborne Carson and Kris Shepard)
Book | eBook

A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr. for Students
(introduction by Walter Dean Myers)
Book | eBook

A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches (edited by James Melvin Washington)

I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World
(edited by James Melvin Washington)

The Radical King (edited by Cornel West)
Book | eBook

My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King and Barbara Reynolds
Book | Audiobook

Alabama v. King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Criminal Trial That Launched
the Civil Rights Movement
by Dan Abrams, Fred D. Gray, and David Fisher
Book | eBook

All You Have to Do by Autumn Allen
Book | eBook

King: A Comics Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (The Complete Edition)
by Ho Che Anderson

Warriors Don't Cry: The Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High
by Melba Pattillo Beals

The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Perspectives on Modern World History)
by Noah Berlatsky

M.L.K.: Journey of a King by Tonya Bolden

The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Valerie Bodden

The King Years by Taylor Branch

A Protest History of the United States by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Burial for a King by Rebecca Burns

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Encyclopedia by Clayborne Carson

Waking from the Dream by David L. Chappell
Book | eBook

Boycotts, Strikes, and Marches: Protests of the Civil Rights Era by Barbara Diggs

April 4, 1968 by Michael Eric Dyson
Book | Audiobook

King: A Life by Jonathan Eig
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Living the Dream: The Contested History of Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Daniel T. Fleming
Book | eBook

I See the Promised Land by Arthur Flowers and Manu Chitrakar

An American Death by Gerold Frank

The Life and Death of Martin Luther King, Jr. by James Haskins

Becoming King by Troy Jackson

Letters to Martin: Meditations on Democracy in Black America by Randal Maurice Jelks

Life Magazine: Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. by Charles Johnson and Bob Adelman

My Time with the Kings by Kathryn Johnson

The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. by Peniel E. Joseph

Nine Days: The Race to Save Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life and Win the 1960 Election
by Stephen Kendrick and Paul Kendrick

You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live: Ten Weeks in Birmingham That Changed America
by Paul Kix
Book | eBook

Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World
by Uma Krishnaswami
Book | eBook

Kennedy and King by Steven Levingston
Book | eBook

March: Book One, Book Two, Book Three, and Trilogy Slipcase Set
by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Reference Guide to His Life and Works
by Peter J. Ling and David Deverick

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March
by Lynda Blackmon Lowery
Book | Audiobook

She Persisted: Coretta Scott King by Kelly Starling Lyons
Book | Audiobook | Español

Today the World Is Watching You: The Little Rock Nine and the Fight for School Integration, 1957 by Kekla Magoon
Book | eBook

And We Rise: The Civil Rights Movement in Poems by Erica Martin
Book | Audiobook

The Murkin Conspiracy by Philip H. Melanson

Martin Luther King Jr. (Public Profiles) (eBook) by The New York Times Editorial Staff

Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America by Rita Omokha

When Harlem Nearly Killed King by Hugh Pearson

Orders to Kill by William F. Pepper

Killing the Dream by Gerald Posner

Who Killed Martin Luther King? by James Earl Ray

Gospel of Freedom: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and the Struggle That Changed a Nation
by Jonathan Rieder
Book | eBook

Redemption: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Last 31 Hours by Joseph Rosenbloom

Exploring Civil Rights: The Movement: 1963 by Angela Shanté

Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sides
Book | eBook | Audiobook

King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop by Harvard Sitkoff

Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Final Year
by Tavis Smiley with David Ritz
Book | eBook

The Heavens Might Crack: The Death and Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Jason Sokol

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Book | Audiobook

Chasing King's Killer by James L. Swanson
Book | Audiobook

Sitting In, Standing Up: Leaders of the Civil Rights Era by Diane C. Taylor
Book | eBook

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Let Freedom Ring by Michael Teitelbaum and Lewis Helfand

Martin Luther King, Jr.: A King Family Tribute by Angela Farris Watkins and Andrew Young

Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington by Stephanie Watson
Book | eBook

Killing King: Racial Terrorists, James Earl Ray, and the Plot to Assassinate
Martin Luther King Jr.
by Stuart Wexler and Larry Hancock
Book | eBook

More Than a Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
by Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long

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Movie Picks

All links are DVDs unless otherwise specified.

4 Little Girls (1997)

All The Way (2016)

Been to the Mountaintop (2006)

Betty & Coretta (2013)

Boycott (2001, PG)

The Cart That Carried Martin (2013)
DVD | hoopla Kids Streaming

Coretta Scott (2013)
hoopla Kids Streaming | Kanopy Kids Streaming

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective (1994)

Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Movement 1954-1985 (1986 & 1990)

Freedom on My Mind (1994)

History Kids: Coretta Scott King and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy (2018)

History Kids: From Selma to Montgomery: Marching with Martin Luther King, Jr. (2016)

History Kids: Martin Luther King, Jr. (2018) (hoopla Streaming)

Holiday Kids: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (2022)

I Am MLK Jr. (2018) (hoopla Streaming)

I Am Not Your Negro (2016, PG-13)
DVD | hoopla Streaming | Kanopy Streaming

In Remembrance of Martin (1986)

King (1978)

King: Man of Peace in a Time of War (2007)
DVD | hoopla Streaming

Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013, PG-13)

King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970)
DVD | hoopla Streaming

The March (2013, TV-PG)

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (2008)
hoopla Kids Streaming | Kanopy Kids Streaming

Martin's Big Words (2002)
DVD | hoopla Kids Streaming | Kanopy Kids Streaming

Men of Peace: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela (2009)

Our Friend, Martin (1998)

Roads to Memphis (2010, TV-PG)

Selma (2014, PG-13)

Selma, Lord, Selma (1999, PG)

Who Killed Martin Luther King? (1989)

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Updated: December 26

For over 40 years, the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center (100-01 Northern Boulevard in Corona) has celebrated Kwanzaa and its Seven Principles (the Nguzo Saba)!

Join us this December at Langston Hughes for arts and crafts, community conversations, concerts, explorations of entrepreneurship, and much more!

You can also celebrate Kwanzaa during other special events at QPL, including a storytime and book giveaway with the Friends of Rosedale Library! Visit the QPL Calendar to learn more about those events.

Kwanzaa at Langston Hughes Library

All programs are at Langston Hughes Library (100-01 Northern Boulevard) or virtual.

*****

Kwanzaa Week: Daily Video: Learn About the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) (VIRTUAL)
Friday, December 26 to Thursday, January 1, 6pm
Each day of Kwanzaa, we will share a video from a member of the Langston Hughes Library community, who will explain the meaning of that day’s Principle and how you can apply it to your daily life!

Watch on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

*****

Kwanzaa Week: Pass the Torch: An Intergenerational Conversation (Umoja) (VIRTUAL)
Friday, December 26, 5:30pm
Join us for this inspiring discussion and engage with diverse perspectives about "passing the torch" to cultivate successors and strengthen our collective future while honoring the principles that unite us across generations.

Join Us on Zoom:
https://queenslibrary-org.zoom.us/j/85386362291?pwd=6rHBJ7bDaSCymlfroZegvYwWeBOVUl.1

Meeting ID: 853 8636 2291
Passcode: Umoja

*****

Kwanzaa Week: Library Action Committee Annual Meeting (Kujichagulia) (VIRTUAL)
Saturday, December 27, 12:30pm
The Library Action Committee of Corona-East Elmhurst is the founding body and advisory board of the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center. Discover how to shape the future of Langston Hughes through membership, learn about its mission and vision, and connect with fellow community members committed to defining our collective path forward.

Join Us on Zoom:
https://queenslibrary-org.zoom.us/j/89449356750?pwd=cL3lmeaSwaZh0bmxLXRFKIntQXtUaU.1

Meeting ID: 894 4935 6750
Passcode: LAC

*****

Kwanzaa Week: Brunch with The Sherry Winston Band (Ujima)
Sunday, December 28, 2pm
Enjoy this special performance honoring Langston Hughes's commitment to building and maintaining its community through music and fellowship.

*****

Kwanzaa Week: Empowered Commerce: Ujamaa's Entrepreneurial Spirit
Monday, December 29, 5pm
Meet local Black-owned businesses and rising "chef-preneurs," enjoy delicious creations, and hear inspiring entrepreneurial journeys that strengthen our community's economic foundation. Every attendee will receive multiple free products and gifts to take home!

*****

Kwanzaa Week: Healing Into Purpose: A Conversation on Trauma & Transformation (Nia)
Tuesday, December 30, 1pm
Following this inspiring dialogue, you can create personalized vision boards and "purpose maps" — visual representations of your healing journey and aspirations. All materials provided.

*****

Kwanzaa Week: New Art Unveiling (Kuumba)
Wednesday, December 31, 10:30am
Honor the Kwanzaa principle of Kuumba as Langston Hughes Library unveils a new addition to their permanent collection, to be housed in the Children's Room. Celebrate creativity through art while enjoying light refreshments and connecting with fellow community members at this special exhibition.

Funding for Langston Hughes Library's celebration of Kwanzaa is provided in part by the Library Action Committee of Corona-East Elmhurst, NYS Education Department Special Legislative Grants from Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks, discretionary funds from NYC Coalition of Theaters Initiative, New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

New York City’s Three Public Library Systems Reveal Most Checked Out Books of 2025

The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library share the top checkouts across all five boroughs

James by Percival Everett was the most popular book in New York City

Visual asset available here

December 16, 2025—The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library today announced a citywide list of the most borrowed books of 2025, combining data from all three library systems in five boroughs. They have also announced the top 10 most checked out titles from each library system for adults.

Across New York City’s three library systems, James by Percival Everett was the most checked-out title, followed by The God of the Woods by Liz Moore and Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.

The full lists of the Top Checkouts of 2025 can be found at The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library.

TOP 10 ADULT TITLES

Citywide: 

1. James by Percival Everett
2. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
3. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
4. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
5. All Fours by Miranda July
6. The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins
7. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
8. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
9. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
10. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The New York Public Library

Systemwide:

1. James by Percival Everett
2. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
3. All Fours by Miranda July
4. The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins
5. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
6. The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
7. Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
8. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
10. Funny Story by Emily Henry

The Bronx

1. The Crash by Freida McFadden
2. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
3. The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins
4. The Wedding People: A Novel by Alison Espach
5. James by Percival Everett
6. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
7. The House of Cross by James Patterson
8. Paranoia by James Patterson
9. Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
10. The Waiting by Michael Connelly

Manhattan

1. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
2. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
3. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
4. James by Percival Everett
5. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
6. The Women by Kristin Hannah
7. All Fours by Miranda July
8. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
9. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
10. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Staten Island

1. The Crash by Freida McFadden
2. The Women by Kristin Hannah
3. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
4. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
5. The Tenant by Freida McFadden
6. Never Say Never by Danielle Steel
7. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
8. The Waiting by Michael Connelly
9. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
10. The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins

Brooklyn Public Library

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
2. The Women by Kristin Hannah
3. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
4. Happy Place by Emily Henry
5. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
6. All Fours by Miranda July
7. James by Percival Everett
8. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
9. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
10. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Queens Public Library

1. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
2. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
3. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
4. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
5. Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang
6. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingslover
7. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
8. The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose
9. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
10. The Tenant by Freida McFadden

“Our much-anticipated top checkout lists are a testament to the universal joy of reading, and are one of the most direct mirrors we can hold to the books that most capture the imagination of New Yorkers every year. It’s especially fun to see the mix of titles that rose to the top this year. Readers gravitated to a wide range of books, from literary fiction like James by Percival Everett and All Fours by Miranda July, to genre favorites spanning romance, romantasy, thrillers, and mystery,” said Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian and Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education at The New York Public Library. 

“Against the backdrop of a record number of book bans across the country, it’s powerful to see New Yorkers continuing to read books from every point of view,” said Edwin Maxwell, Chief Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library. “Reading helps build empathy and invites dialogue–qualities that have never been more important than now.”

“It’s exciting to see women authors once again dominating our top-circulating titles,” said Queens Public Library Chief Librarian Nick Buron. “In recent years, traditional bestsellers and established authors have been losing their market share as newer voices increasingly connect with readers through social media. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver saw a significant surge following its Pulitzer Prize win, while platforms like BookTok continue to drive strong demand for authors such as Rebecca Yarros, R.F. Kuang, Freida McFadden, and Jeneva Rose. Our top checkouts reflect readers’ enthusiasm for both popular fiction genres and critically acclaimed literary works, and we’re also seeing a clear trend of readers discovering an author and then diving into their full body of work, particularly with McFadden, Yarros, and Kuang.”

In addition to the city-wide and system-specific lists for adults, The New York Public Library has published its top checkouts for teens and young adults here. Queens Public Library has published its top checkouts for Children and Young Adults, as well as Most Popular Books by Location, Most Popular International Books, and Most Popular Songs, EMagazines, and Videos. 

About The New York Public Library

For over 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With over 90 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support. 

About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

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 center located in the nation’s largest public housing complex, five teen centers, five bookmobiles, and two book bicycles.

Media contacts:

NYPL: Lizzie Tribone, lizzietribone@nypl.org

BPL: Fritzi Bodenheimer, fbodenheimer@bklynlibrary.org 

QPL: Elisabeth de Bourbon, edebourbon@queenslibrary.org 

Left to right: QPL Board Member Julissa Gutierrez, District Leader Michelle Dunston, Council Member Francisco Moya, Assembly Member Larinda Hooks, QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Lefrak City Library Manager Sharon Diamond and QPL Chief Librarian Nick Buron

QPL Unveils New Tech Mobile Library

Funded by Council Member Francisco Moya, the $250,000 Van Brings QPL’s Mobile Fleet to Five Motorized Vehicles

Visuals Available Here

CORONA, NY_ Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, NYC Council Member Francisco Moya, and community members today celebrated the launch of QPL’s new Tech Mobile Library outside the Library’s future Lefrak City location at 95-15 Horace Harding Expressway.

The vehicle - a 24-foot, 9-ton Mercedes Sprinter 2500 - costs approximately $247,000. It features an exterior LED TV with soundbar and amplifier, a 550-watt solar panel system with Bluetooth connectivity, and Wi-Fi access.

Inside, it is equipped with 12 laptops with coding and design software, robotics kits including LEGO Spike, Ozobot, and Sphero, 3D design and printing tools, VR and AR headsets, telescopes and microscopes, gaming consoles, and digital creativity equipment such as podcasting tools, a multimedia console, video editing gear, cameras, musical devices, and Cricut design tools.

Programs offered on board will include STEM, robotics, and maker labs, gaming and esports workshops, job readiness support including résumé building and digital literacy, senior tech help, assistive technology demonstrations, and digital creativity programs for all ages. 

Library services such as card registration, material checkout, readers’ advisory, and demonstrations of digital resources will also be available. In addition, the vehicle carries a curated collection of over 100 tech-focused books, STEM guides, maker materials, and digital learning kits.

Designed to support communities during emergencies, the van also features mobile charging stations for phones, tablets, and medical devices, 10 interior and three exterior outlets, emergency shelter supplies such as thermal blankets, disaster information including evacuation routes, FEMA contacts, and safety checklists, emergency lighting, enhanced power systems, and the solar panel system enabling off-grid operation.

“We are thrilled to deliver hands-on tech learning and exploration directly to neighborhoods across Queens, beyond our walls,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “In addition to providing digital skills and access to essential resources, the tech mobile will serve as a crucial link to health information, wellness support, and tools to help people navigate community safety and emergency preparedness. We are deeply grateful to Council Member Francisco Moya for funding this vehicle and look forward to serving our communities with this innovative hub on wheels.”

“I’m incredibly proud to celebrate the launch of this new QPL Mobile Library—an investment I was honored to fully fund for the families of Lefrak City, Corona, East Elmhurst, and all of Queens,” said Council Member Francisco Moya who funded the vehicle. “The Queens Public Library’s bookmobiles bring opportunity directly to our communities, ensuring that every resident, from our youngest readers to our seniors, has access to books, movies, magazines, Wi-Fi, and so much more. This is what equitable access looks like: meeting people where they are, opening doors, and expanding the promise of public libraries to every corner of Queens. I’m excited for all the stories, learning, and inspiration that will roll into our neighborhoods with this new Mobile Library.”