QPL’s Elmhurst Library To Celebrate the Burmese New Year and the Expansion of Its Burmese Collection
NYC’s only publicly circulating Burmese language collection triples in size with the addition of 230 books
Elmhurst, N.Y. – Queens Public Library’s Elmhurst branch will celebrate the expansion of its Burmese language collection - the only circulating Burmese collection in New York City – and the Burmese New Year, known as Thingyan, at 86-07 Broadway on Saturday, April 20 at 2PM. Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, local elected officials and representatives of the Burmese community will attend the ceremony, which will feature music and dance performances.
About 230 books were recently added to the collection, formed in 2018 with approximately 130 volumes. It includes fiction and non-fiction, biographies, books on technology and children’s books, some of which are bilingual Burmese/English picture books.
The books were purchased with $5,000 donated by the Burmese-American community, and partially matched by the Queens Public Library Foundation.
The Burmese community has been growing in Queens, and according to the 2018-2022 American Community Survey, there are currently more than 4,000 Burmese-language speakers in the borough, about a quarter of whom live in Elmhurst.
The Burmese-language books are part of the Queens Public Library’s robust international language collection. The Library started building it in the 1970s, initially focusing on the Hispanic, Greek and Chinese communities. Today, it includes materials in more than 200 languages and the Library circulates materials in more than 40 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, Korean, Russian and Hebrew.
WHAT: QPL’s Elmhurst branch marks the expansion of its Burmese language collection and celebrates the Burmese New Year
WHO: Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott
QPL New Americans Program Assistant Director Fred Gitner
NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan
Burmese Community Leader Moe Chan
Burmese Community Members
WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2024
2-3:30 PM
WHERE: Queens Public Library / Elmhurst Branch
86-07 Broadway, Elmhurst, N.Y. 11373
CONTACT: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917-702-0016
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Queens Public Library Transforms Ravenswood Housing Complex Site Into a Community Learning Center
With Support from Amazon and Local Green Energy Company Rise Light & Power, the Ravenswood Learning Center Offers Services Focused on Workforce Development
Queens, NY _ Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, NYCHA Executive Vice President of Property Management Operations Daniel Greene, representatives from Amazon and Rise Light & Power, residents and civic leaders today celebrated the transformation of the Library’s longstanding site at the Ravenswood Houses into a community learning center focusing on workforce development, digital literacy, and re-entry services, reflecting the current needs of people who live and work in the Long Island City and Astoria area.
QPL operated a circulating library inside the 3,000-square-foot space, located at 35-32 21st Street, from the time the housing complex opened in 1951 until 2007, when the branch relocated to the then-new Long Island City Library. The location was later used as a family literacy center, and then as a Universal Pre-K location site from 2015 to 2019. It now features two classrooms, a computer lab, and a public lounge area, and will be open Mondays through Thursdays. Hours are available here.
“Since 1951, this location has provided vital resources to generations of Ravenswood residents and the wider community,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are thrilled to welcome back our customers and offer programs and services focused on workforce development and digital literacy, reflecting the current needs of people who live and work in Long Island City and Astoria. I want to thank the New York City Housing Authority, the Ravenswood Resident Association, Amazon, and Rise Light & Power for working with us to revitalize this important space.”
QPL opened its Ravenswood location in 1951
“Libraries play a critical role developing open- and civic-minded citizens, and I am excited to see the reopening of the Ravenswood Community Learning Center with state-of-the-art upgrades,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I am grateful for the leadership of the Queens Public Library and New York City Housing Authority to ensure the Ravenswood Housing community has access to technology training, workforce development programs, and reentry services meant to uplift the local Queens community.”
“I'm proud to see the incredible transformation of Queens Public Library Ravenswood site into a state-of-the-art community learning center realized today. This center will provide the residents of Ravenswood and surrounding communities with skill-building programs focused on workforce development, technology training, and reentry services. I thank all the partners that worked together to make this possible and can't wait to see the positive impact this has on our community,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.
“The role of libraries in the health, safety and prosperity of our communities cannot be overstated,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “Libraries, like Ravenswood, which also function as Community Learning Centers, are especially crucial. They provide resources like digital literacy, employment support, re-entry assistance, and much more—all free of charge to community members. I am privileged to partner with the Queens Public Library and continue supporting the services provided not only to the Ravenswood community but also to the rest of Queens.”
“Our public library system makes Queens and New York City great. Congratulations to Queens Public Library on the re-opening of the Ravenswood Community Learning Center with more resources to give Ravenswood and Long Island City residents access to essential workforce development and technology training as a pathway to greater opportunities,” said Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani.
“The reopening of the Queens Public Library’s Ravenswood Community Learning Center — and the return of its much-needed services — is a win for the Ravenswood Houses and the families who call it home,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “From workforce development to technology training to reentry services, this community center will empower our community members. I commend the Queens Public Library for bringing it back, so that our individuals and families can have the support they need to thrive.”
“The long-awaited Queens Public Library Ravenswood Learning Center will bring much-needed services to the community, allowing our neighbors to access free workforce development, technology training, and reentry support for participants in QPL and the ‘See You on the Outside’ program,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Since taking office, I have funded programs and provided support to our neighbors in the Ravenswood community, including Big Apple Connect for free internet and cable TV and advocacy for much-needed capital improvements for residents. This new learning center is another crucial resource that will ensure our neighbors can learn new skills that help them thrive.”
“We are thrilled to see the reopening of the Queens Public Library's Ravenswood Community Learning Center which will provide enriching programs for so many residents at NYCHA's Ravenswood Houses,” said Queens Community Board 1 Chair Evie Hantzopoulos. “Queens Public Library provides such critical services and the focus on workforce development, technology training, and reentry services at this Center will be of great benefit to the community.”
“NYCHA is absolutely thrilled that our collaborative work with the Queens Public Library has led to the opening of the Community Learning Center,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President of Property Management Operations Daniel Greene. “We’re proud to have played a role in creating this safe space for Ravenswood residents and members of the surrounding community to come together and benefit from an array of invaluable programs and workshops.”
“Amazon is proud to continue its support the Queens Public Library, including the re-opening of the Ravenswood Houses branch,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Head of Community Affairs for Amazon New York. “Every community deserves a learning center focused on workforce development, technology training and the joy of reading like this one. We're pleased to have played a role with community leaders on its re-opening.”
“Rise Light & Power is proud to support QPL and NYCHA’s forward-looking investment in Ravenswood Houses,” said Wil Fisher, Director of External Affairs at Rise Light & Power. “Alongside our ambitions to replace fossil fuel generators at Ravenswood Generating with renewable energy, we are committed to doing our part for economic empowerment and environmental vitality in Western Queens. We look forward to working with this new branch as a resource to engage with our neighbors on the unfolding energy transition.”
“This is a new era and a new way of becoming a community that works together, “said Carol Wilkins, President of the Ravenswood Resident Association. “I grew up using this library, my children and my grandchildren used this library as well. A library should be the heart of a community like that of the Ravenswood Community Learning Center, where we can research and learn about what's out there in this trying time. The Ravenswood Resident Association looks forward to working with the Queens Public Library here in Ravenswood Houses.”
Additional Visuals Available Here
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, and has five teen centers, two bookmobiles, and two book bicycles.
Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016
Do you have an old prom dress or other formal wear taking up space in your closet?
Please donate your formal wear for our first-ever Queens Public Library Prom Dress Giveaway!
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, shoes, bags, and jewelry from March 25 through April 18 at these 12 QPL locations, during our regular hours of service:
- Bayside (214-20 Northern Boulevard)
- Cambria Heights (218-13 Linden Boulevard)
- Central Library (89-11 Merrick Boulevard)
- Elmhurst (86-07 Broadway)
- 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 Dress Giveaway will be held at the Cambria Heights Teen Center on Saturday, May 11. 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.
Are you interested in working as a volunteer during the Prom x QPL Dress Giveaway on May 11? Learn how you can help.
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Happy QPL Day!
In celebration of Queens Public Library's 128th birthday, here is a special message from QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott.
It’s Queens Public Library’s birthday, and we’re celebrating 128 years of service to our communities. Not many institutions have been around this long. I think one reason why QPL endures is that we have continued to adapt to the needs and interests of our customers, which have certainly changed a lot since our founding in 1896.
Today, Queens Public Library is one of the busiest library systems in the country. Flushing Library, the oldest branch in our system, recently welcomed more than 4,000 people in one day. Throughout the borough, we are proud to be a place where people can come for discovery, connection, and personal development.
As we look ahead to our 129th year, I want to thank you for being a valued member of the QPL community. Together we have faced funding challenges, a nationwide censorship movement, and a global pandemic. Your friendship and goodwill have strengthened our ability to provide free access to knowledge, inspiration, and opportunity to the people of Queens and beyond.
If you are able, I hope you will consider supporting Queens Public Library and our mission to transform people’s lives, no matter their background or circumstances.
Thank you for your partnership, and Happy QPL Day!
Sincerely,
Dennis M. Walcott
President and CEO
Queens Public Library
UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to high demand, solar eclipse glasses are no longer available at Queens Public Library. Thank you for understanding!
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will turn dark that afternoon, as if it were dawn or dusk.
This total solar eclipse will be visible in 15 U.S. states, including New York! (New York City will only see 89 percent coverage of the Sun, but that's still a lot!)
A partial eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states.
QPL is partnering with our friends at NASA so you can learn everything you need to know about the 2024 total solar eclipse, including how to watch it safely.
Not in the path of the eclipse? Not able to get outside? Watch from anywhere in the world! NASA will provide live broadcast coverage on April 8 from 1pm to 4pm EDT on their website and on YouTube.
The next total solar eclipse in New York won't happen until 2079, so whether you experience this eclipse at home, outdoors in public, or at your neighborhood QPL location, we hope you will enjoy this truly cosmic event!
Solar Eclipse Resources
QPL Solar Eclipse Presentation with NASA's Carolyn Ng (watch this pre-recorded virtual meeting on YouTube)
NASA 2024 Eclipse Fact Sheet (download or pick it up at your local library)
NASA 2024 Eclipse Safety Guidelines (download or pick it up at your local library)
NASA's 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Website
NASA's Total Solar Eclipse Safety Webpage
Solar Eclipse Programs
Visit the QPL Calendar to Learn More about our special programs.
Solar Eclipse Booklists
Check out our book recommendations for Adults and book recommendations for Kids!
Teens, we hope you will take advantage of this incredible summer opportunity!
Queens Public Library and Touro University are bringing you World of Work for Teens, an award-winning service-learning program for high school students.
This six-week virtual and in-person seminar focuses on strengthening professional development skills and expanding teen understanding of the workplace.
High school students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, and June 2024 graduates, are eligible to apply.
Participating students will attend an online introductory college course taught via Zoom by Touro University faculty, as well as in-person professional development workshops at the Long Island City Library Teen Center.
These classes will lead up to an interactive service-learning project covering career prep, financial literacy, and college readiness.
When they complete the seminar, teens will receive two college credits from Touro University and earn 12 community service hours from Queens Public Library.
Classes will be held on Tuesdays (online) and Thursdays (in-person), 11am to 1pm, July 9 to August 15.
The deadine to apply is Saturday, April 27, and the program is limited to 25 students, so Apply Today!
If you have any questions about World of Work for Teens, please contact Dalicy Caraballo at dcaraballo@queenslibrary.org.
ULC 2023 Top Innovator | Queens Public Library from Urban Libraries Council on Vimeo.
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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.
We hope that you will join us for our special programs in honor of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
We also have recommendations for great books and movies about Dr. King, and a special resource from our Queens Memory team.
All Queens Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 15 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Queens Memory: Martin Luther King, Jr. at Queens College
Book Picks for Teens and Adults
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.
Special Programs
Click on the link in each title for more information.
Celebrating MLK: Letter Writing Contest
Friday, January 5-Saturday, January 13, 12pm
Bellerose Library
250-06 Hillside Avenue
***
Celebrating MLK: Crafternoon: Peace Doves
Tuesday, January 9, 3pm
North Forest Park Library
98-27 Metropolitan Avenue
***
Celebrating MLK: Martin Luther King Day Craft
Tuesday, January 9, 3:30pm
Queens Village Library
94-11 217 Street
***
Celebrating MLK: Kids Craft Club
Tuesday, January 9, 4pm
Peninsula Library
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
***
Celebrating MLK: Curator's Choice Cinema: January 2024
Thursdays, January 11 and 18, 5pm
Langston Hughes Library
100-01 Northern Boulevard
***
Celebrating MLK: STEM: Discovering Black Scientists
Friday, January 12, 2:30pm
North Hills Library
57-04 Marathon Parkway
***
Celebrating MLK: Storytime and Craft
Friday, January 12, 4pm
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street
***
Celebrating MLK: Storytime and STEM Activity
Friday, January 12, 4pm
Glen Oaks Library
256-04 Union Turnpike
***
Celebrating MLK: Book Buddies
Saturday, January 13, 11am
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street
***
Celebrating MLK: Celebrating What Makes You Special
Tuesday, January 16, 3pm
Briarwood Library
85-12 Main Street
***
Celebrating MLK: Panel Discussion: Activism from the 19th Century to the Present
Tuesday, January 16, 6pm
Virtual
***
Celebrating MLK: Teen Trivia
Wednesday, January 17, 3:30pm
Glen Oaks Library
256-04 Union Turnpike
***
Celebrating MLK: Special Movie Presentation: Martin Luther King Jr. Documentary
Thursday, January 18, 4pm
McGoldrick Library
155-06 Roosevelt Avenue
***
Celebrating MLK: Special Movie Presentation: Martin Luther King Jr. for Children
Friday, January 19, 3pm
McGoldrick Library
155-06 Roosevelt Avenue
***
Celebrating MLK: The Meeting, Presented by Shades of Truth Theatre
Saturday, January 20, 2pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard
***
Celebrating MLK: Family Film Friday: Our Friend, Martin
Friday, January 26, 3:30pm
Rochdale Village Library
169-09 137 Avenue
***
Celebrating MLK: Literary Thursdays: Jonathan Eig, Author of King: A Life
Thursday, February 8, 6pm
Virtual
***
We are continuing to add programs that honor Dr. King. Be sure to check the QPL Calendar for the latest updates!
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)
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
Free at Last! by Angela Bull
The Cart That Carried Martin by Eve Bunting and Don Tate
Martin Luther King: the Peaceful Warrior by Ed Clayton and Donald Bermudez
Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Raúl Colón and Paula Yong Shelton
Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968 by Alice Faye Duncan and R. Gregory Christie
We March by Shane W. Evans
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris and Chris Soentpiet
March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris
and London Ladd
Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Melissa Ferguson
Martin Luther King Jr.: Walking in the Light by Jon M. Fishman
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
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
Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington
by Michael G. Long and Bea Jackson
Book | eBook
1963 March on Washington (Protest! March for Change) by Joyce Markovicks
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
The Life and Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Ira Peck
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
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
Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream and You
by Carole Boston Weatherford and James Ransome
Book | eBook
A Place to Land: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation
by Barry Wittenstein and Jerry Pinkney
Book Picks for Teens and Adults
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.
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
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 Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.
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 | Audiobook
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
King: A Comics Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Ho Che Anderson
Book | Español
Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High by Melba Pattillo Beals
Book | Audiobook
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
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
The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Jacqueline Ching
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
I See the Promised Land by Arthur Flowers and Manu Chitrakar
Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life by Marshall Frady
An American Death by Gerold Frank
The Life and Death of Martin Luther King, Jr. by James Haskins
Becoming King by Troy Jackson
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 & Paul Kendrick
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, and Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Martin Luther King, Jr. (Routledge Historical Biographies) by Peter J. Ling
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March
by Lynda Blackmon Lowery
Book | eBook | Audiobook
She Persisted: Coretta Scott King by Kelly Starling Lyons
Book | eBook | 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 | eBook | Audiobook
The Murkin Conspiracy by Philip H. Melanson
Martin Luther King Jr. (Public Profiles) (eBook) by The New York Times Editorial Staff
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
Book | eBook
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 | eBook | Audiobook
Sitting In, Standing Up: Leaders of the Civil Rights Era by Diane C. Taylor
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
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)
DVD | Kanopy Streaming
Freedom on My Mind (1994)
History Kids: Coretta Scott King and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy (2018)
History Kids: Martin Luther King, Jr. (2018)
DVD | hoopla Kids Streaming
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
King in the Wilderness (2018)
The March (2013, TV-PG)
March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (2008)
DVD | 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)
QPL Immigration Specialist Wins the American Library Association’s Prestigious “I Love My Librarian” Award
Library’s New Americans Program Assistant Director Fred Gitner Recognized for Providing Outstanding Service to Asylum Seekers and Immigrants in Queens
QUEENS, NY– The American Library Association has honored Fred Gitner, the assistant director of Queens Public Library’s New Americans Program, with a coveted “I Love My Librarian Award” for his outstanding service to the public.
The awards, established in 2008 and sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and administered in partnership with The New York Public Library, recognize librarians nationwide. Gitner was one of 10 honorees selected from a pool of nearly 1,400 nominees chosen by library patrons for their efforts to promote literacy, expand access to technology, support mental health needs as well as diversity and inclusion in their communities. This year’s award recipients include three academic librarians, four public librarians and three school librarians. Each of the winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
At Queens Public Library, Gitner has driven positive social change for new Americans for nearly three decades, connecting them to education opportunities and resources they need to successfully acclimate to life in a new city and in a new country. And for more than a year, Gitner and his team have been instrumental in assisting the surging migrant population in Queens and beyond.
“As we welcome people from all over the world into our libraries, Fred serves as a chief ambassador,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “He and his team are deeply committed to assisting asylum seekers and immigrants coming through our doors, providing the support and resources they need to adjust to their lives in New York City.”
Gitner’s mentoring of current and aspiring librarians is a key focus of his efforts to increase the influence of the library. He also coordinates QPL’s international partnerships program which, along with facilitating the exchange of knowledge and library materials in other languages, offers opportunities for Library and Information Science students from abroad to participate in fieldwork assignments with QPL.
“Fred is always on the go and never misses a day to involve our library in helping new immigrants in our neighborhoods,” one nominator wrote. “It is truly amazing how one man can make a beautiful difference in the lives of new immigrants, their families, and his fellow library professionals.”
From “New Americans Corners” inside QPL branches filled with materials and a vast array of online resources to implementing live phone interpretation service in more than 240 languages at every QPL branch, Gitner’s team and the New Americans Program have been central in improving services for a community where half of residents were born outside the U.S.
“I am so honored to be recognized by my peers for the work we do every day to ensure that newcomers to Queens have the resources and services to help them adapt successfully to life in a new country and the opportunity to share their culture with the community-at-large in one of the most diverse areas in the world,” Gitner said.
“While much of the national conversation surrounding libraries has fixated on book censorship, and as library workers across the U.S. continue to face historic levels of intimidation and harassment, librarians’ efforts to empower their patrons and provide vital services for their communities shines a spotlight on the enduring value of libraries in our society,” said American Library Association President Emily Drabinski. “The inspiring stories of this year’s I Love My Librarian Award honorees demonstrate the positive impact librarians have on the lives of those they serve each day.”
You can view all 2024 honorees here and read ALA’s write-up about Gitner here.
Fred Gitner’s Bio
Gitner has been Assistant Director of New Initiatives and Partnership Liaison for the New Americans Program at Queens Public Library since 2015, after having served since 1996 in various administrative positions in the New Americans Program and International Relations. Prior to his arrival at Queens Public Library he was Library Director of the French Institute/Alliance Française in New York for over fifteen years. He received an A.B. in Modern Languages from Hamilton College, an M.A. in French from Middlebury College, and a Master’s Degree in Library Service from Rutgers University.
He is a co-editor of “Bridging Cultures: Ethnic Services in the Libraries of New York State” (2001) and “Connecting Cultures: Ethnic Services in the Libraries of New York State” (2013), both published by the New York Library Association (NYLA). He has published articles about library services for immigrants in professional journals in the United States, France and Spain, and has spoken on this topic at national and international conferences. He was a member of the Standing Committee of the Section on Services to Multicultural Populations of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) from 2009-2017, was co-chair of the Europe Subcommittee of the American Library Association’s International Relations Committee, has served on the Board of NYLA’s Ethnic Services Round Table as treasurer for a number of years, and is a Past-President of ESRT. He also serves as Treasurer for the American Society of the French Academic Palms (ASFAP) and the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) - NY Metropolitan Chapter.
Contact:
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, Queens Public Library, ekern@queenslibrary.org
Raymond Garcia, American Library Association, cmomedia@ala.org
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, two bookmobiles, and two book bicycles.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.
Queens Public Library Marks Centennial Anniversary of the Woodhaven Branch
Celebration Includes Time Capsule Burial, Concerts, and a Scavenger Hunt
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Councilwoman Joann Ariola Will Commemorate the Centennial
QUEENS, NY _ Queens Public Library this week will mark the centennial anniversary of its Woodhaven branch – one of its four Carnegie libraries – with a series of events, including burying a time capsule, a historic presentation and a scavenger hunt. State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Councilwoman Joann Ariola will commemorate the occasion on Saturday, Jan. 6.
The branch, at 85-41 Forest Pkwy., first opened its doors to the public on January 7, 1924. The building, constructed with money bequeathed to New York City by the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, was the last Carnegie library completed in Queens. The other three are the Astoria, Poppenhusen, and Richmond Hill branches.
The high demand for the Woodhaven Library’s services was immediately evident. When it opened, the library had 1,271 volumes and 1,000 more were soon added. Within a month, librarians reported there were only 11 children’s books left on the shelves.
The branch has since served as a lifeline to the Woodhaven community, drawing 110,000 visitors and loaning 120,000 items each year prior to the start of the pandemic in 2020. The library also hosted a UPK program from 2014 to 2021.
“Over the past century, this library has been the cornerstone of Woodhaven, offering generations of residents free books, newspapers, magazines and other materials, as well as after-school programs, storytimes, English classes, technology workshops, and more,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are proud of the sustained impact of the library on the community and look forward to continuing to provide free access to information, knowledge and opportunity to all for many years to come.”
“As we gather to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Woodhaven Library, it is a profound honor to reflect on the enduring significance of this beloved institution,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. “For a century, the Woodhaven Library has stood as a beacon of knowledge, a sanctuary of learning, and a haven for the curious minds of our community, especially our children. It has been a sacred space where the transformative power of books and education has touched countless lives, nurturing a love for learning and empowering generations to reach for their greatest potential. In a world that is ever-changing, our local library has remained a steadfast symbol of stability and growth, while offering an updated, safe harbor for the exploration of new ideas and the cultivation of essential skills. It is within these walls, that I remember visiting as a young teen, where the minds of our youth are ignited, their imaginations set free, and their futures shaped. This library serves as a cornerstone of our community, fostering a love for reading, providing vital resources for academic success, and instilling the values of empathy, understanding, and knowledge.”
“As the first elected official from Woodhaven in a generation, I am proud to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Woodhaven Library,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. “For 100 years, the Woodhaven Library has been an anchor institution of our community. Generation upon generation has entered its hallowed halls to discover the joys of reading, learn about the world around them, gain mastery of the English language, and even get help with their job searches. Today we begin a week of festivities to celebrate this educational and cultural hub in Woodhaven. I will proudly present a resolution commemorating this historic milestone. On this occasion, we look forward to honoring the library’s past and supporting its bright future.”
“The fact that the Woodhaven Library has lasted for a century is a testament to the vital space it serves in this community,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola. “Our libraries are much more than simply book repositories. They are community centers and places of education, where people from all walks of life can go to enrich themselves. As we continue to roll out new programs in our local libraries – programs like Hero Story Time, for example – we are showing that places like this are still important assets in our neighborhoods, and will be for generations to come.”
Designed by architect Robert F. Schirmer in the Classical Revival style, the building boasts a symmetrical layout, a prominent entrance and large windows.
Over the years, the branch has undergone numerous renovations. The original arches in the windows and above the main entrance were partially bricked in. In the early 1930s, an auditorium and children’s room were constructed. In 1978, the branch was severely damaged by a fire, but reopened two years later following extensive repairs. In 1991, a new access ramp was added.
The branch is currently awaiting additional renovations, which will include historically compatible windows, a new roof and separate rooms for children, teens, adults, and for community meetings and library programs. The renovated building will be fully ADA-accessible.
This week’s celebrations will begin on Thursday, January 4. Local families are invited to help decorate the branch on that day between 4-5 PM. There will also be an adult painting party and a rock concert from 6 to 7 PM.
On Friday, Jan. 5, from 4 to 5 PM, customers of all ages are welcome to participate in “A Creation Celebration,” where they will be painting, drawing, writing poems and songs through the lens of Woodhaven Library's history. The Queens Memory team will also be there to collect memories about the library from its patrons.
In addition, the branch is organizing a scavenger hunt asking participants to look for historical buildings in the neighborhood.
The main celebrations will take place on Saturday, Jan. 6, starting with Hero Story Time at 10:30 AM led by Councilwoman Joann Ariola. A police officer and firefighter will also be on hand to talk about their professions to the children.
There will be a balloon show performed by balloon artist, Nick the Balloonatic, from 1-2 PM, followed by a presentation about the history of Woodhaven by the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society from 2-2:30 PM.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo will present a proclamation celebrating the anniversary at 2:30 PM.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar has also introduced a resolution commemorating the centennial, which will be presented at the branch that day.
A concert of Dominican music featuring Berto Reyes and his band will take place from 3 to 4 PM.
The celebrations will culminate with a time capsule burial between 4 and 4:30 PM. The capsule, slated to be opened in another 100 years, will contain photos and notes with patrons’ memories about Woodhaven Library and the neighborhood, as well as QPL cards, including the Mets and Hip Hop 50th anniversary special edition cards.
There will be a cake and other refreshments provided by local businesses.
Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org