Blog posts

A picture from our 2017-2019 Queens Hip Hop Pioneers Photo Exhibit, curated by MFidel Photography.

November is Hip Hop History Month! Join us and QPL Hip Hop Coordinator (and music legend) Ralph McDaniels all month long as we start getting ready for hip hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023, and celebrate hip hop as a global force for culture, civil rights, and, of course, music!

 

Hip Hop History Month Programs

Live Talk from Queens with Ralph McDaniels
Join QPL Hip Hop Coordinator Ralph McDaniels as he talks with his special guests about hip hop, literature, community, culture, and a wide variety of topics! Tune in live on our Instagram.
Tuesdays, November 8, 15, 22, and 29, 3pm

Queens Hip Hop 101: A Master Class
Join Ralph McDaniels and hip hop's top entertainers for this FREE in-person master class! Learn from experienced professionals how to brand yourself, make beats, become a DJ, publish podcasts, and more. Classes meet 2 days a week. Register here to participate.
Tuesdays, November 1, 8, 15, 4pm
Thursdays, November 3, 10, 17, 4pm
Langston Hughes Library, 100-01 Northern Boulevard

Hip Hop History Month with Far Rockaway Hip Hop Legend MC Serch
QPL welcomes legendary Far Rockaway hip hop artist MC Serch to our celebration of Hip Hop History Month. Join us and learn about the business of hip hop!
MC Serch grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens and graduated from Music & Art High School. During his 40-year musical career, he has received multiple gold and platinum records, served as the executive producer of Nas' debut studio album “Illmatic,” and was a founding member of the iconic hip hop group 3rd Bass.
Wednesday, November 9, 4pm
Far Rockaway Library, 1003 Beach 20th Street

Hip Hop History Month with the Legends DJ Divine and DJ Vern
Come to the Library for some great music and conversation about the history of Queens hip hop with DJ Divine and DJ Vern, part of Queens Public Library's celebration of Hip Hop History Month!
Thursday, November 17, 5pm
Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Ralph McDaniels’ All Vinyl 45s Hip Hop and Soul Brunch
Join Uncle Ralph for his Instagram Live all-vinyl DJ sets of hip hop, soul, and old-school favorites, every Saturday! Tune in live on our Instagram.
Saturdays, November 5, 12, 19, and 26, 1pm

 

DJ 101 with DJ Wiz of Kid 'n Play

 

Hip Hop History Videos

Hip Hop History Month and Hip Hop Archiving (Instagram, 11/16/21)
Ralph McDaniels talks with Queens archivist Syreeta Gates.

The History of Hip Hop in Queens with Bugsy of WBLS (Instagram, 11/23/21)
Uncle Ralph and Queens resident and radio personality Fred "Bugsy" Buggs of WBLS talk about the history of hip hop in Queens.

Black History Month: Health & Wellness Dance Party with Tati-B (Facebook Live, 2/4/22)
Choreographer Tati-B, Ralph McDaniels, and friends have a Hip Hop Dance Party and share fun facts about the history of Hip Hop Dance!

International Women’s Day with Hush Hip Hop Tours (Instagram, 3/8/22)
Ralph McDaniels talks with Hush Hip Hop Tours CEO Debra Harris.

Learn About Hip Hop Blvd (Instagram, 5/3/22)
Uncle Ralph talks with hip hop activist and Hip Hop Blvd Co-Founder Al Pizarro.

The G.O.A.T. Monument with Sherwin the Artist (Instagram, 6/14/22)
Ralph McDaniels talks with Sherwin Banfield about his tribute to LL Cool J, live from Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Learn About the Universal Hip Hop Museum (Instagram, 7/19/22)
Uncle Ralph talks with Universal Hip Hop Museum Executive Director Rocky Bucano.

Hip Hop Author Talk with Kenny Parker (Instagram, 10/11/22)
Ralph McDaniels talks with author, DJ, producer, and brother of KRS-One Kenny Parker.

 

Hip Hop History Books

Here's a special list of books about hip hop curated by Ralph McDaniels.

Mama Phife Represents: A Verse Memoir by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
Watch Cheryl Boyce-Taylor's interviews with Ralph McDaniels: Interview One (also with Roxanne Shanté), Interview Two (the 30th anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory)

Miss Pat: My Reggae Music Journey by Pat Chin
Watch Pat Chin's interviews with QPL President & CEO Dennis M. Walcott and Ralph McDaniels

Rap Tees: A Collection of Hip Hop T-Shirts 1980-1999 by DJ Ross One
Watch DJ Ross One's interview with Ralph McDaniels

DMC #1 (Darryl Makes Comics) and Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide: A Memoir by Darryl "DMC" McDaniels
Watch DMC's interview with Ralph McDaniels

The Motherlode: 100+ Women That Made Hip Hop by Clover Hope
Watch Clover Hope's interview with Ralph McDaniels

The Marathon Don't Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle by Rob Kenner
Watch Rob Kenner's interview with Ralph McDaniels

Hip Hop at the End of the World: The Photography of Ernie Paniccioli

Where I'm From: Growing Up Hip Hop by Ron Amen-Ra Lawrence

I Know My Rights: Bill of Rights by Mysonne Linen
Watch Mysonne Linen's interview with Ralph McDaniels

From Staircase to Stage: The Story of Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan by Raekwon

Sweat The Technique by Rakim

 

A Cypher in Queens

Take a look back at our 2019 hip hop art exhibit with Sherwin Banfield at Central Library in Jamaica.

 

Hip Hop in Queens Historical Collection on Aviary

Watch these special videos of past hip hop programs at Queens Public Library, including interviews with KRS-One, DMC, Daymond John, and many more!

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the Tri-State area.

The impact of the superstorm was immediate and devastating across New York City, especially on the Rockaway Peninsula, where people lost electricity, water, and heat for several days and thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed, including homes, essential businesses, and five QPL locations.

Within two days of the storm, our Far Rockaway Library opened without electricity to distribute emergency supplies, and soon became one of the centers of the recovery effort, collecting and distributing essentials such as food, water, clothing, and holiday gifts.

We also set up trailers to serve as temporary libraries, and our book bus helped people recharge their cell phones and electronics, borrow books, and get critical information about emergency housing, FEMA grants, and other sources of aid.

Help us commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy by taking a look back at how our staff worked to serve and uplift our community during this unprecedented crisis.

Photo Album

Browse our Facebook anniversary photo album of pictures taken during our Sandy relief efforts and recovery.

Learn About Sandy

Check out books and other resources in our collection about Hurricane Sandy and the lessons learned in its aftermath.

Queens Memory Project: Oral History

When first responder Odelmo Paltooram visited Central Library to donate his digital photos of a post-Hurricane Sandy Rockaways, he sat down with QMP Director Natalie Milbrodt to describe the photos (and his experiences) one by one.

One of the most daunting aspects of applying to college is the sheer number of essays you have to write.

What do I mean? Say you’re applying to 8-10 schools. Each has anywhere from 1-5 or more supplemental essays. Quick math tells us that’s between 8-50 college essay prompts to respond to! And that’s after you write the Personal Statement for your Common App.

Good news: you totally don’t have to write 50 essays. In fact, you may end up writing fewer than 10. Why? The secret involves doing a little bit of research and creative brainstorming before deciding on your topic.

How to Answer All Your College Essay Prompts In Less Time

1. Gather all your essay prompts and put them on a single spreadsheet.
2. Play the Overlapping Prompt Game: read through all your prompts and decide which might potentially overlap. Are there any that are basically asking the same thing?
3. Brainstorm the content and structure for a few of these “Super Essays” (i.e. essays that can be used for several of the prompts).
4. Write your 4-6 “Super Essays.”
   

The Overlapping Prompt Game
Combining college essay prompts can lead to better essays in less time.

1. Writing an essay that works for several prompts can lead to essays with more depth and reach of topics.
2. Want to save yourself even more time? Look for even MORE prompts your topic could work for.
3. The Super Essay not only answers the prompt, but also tells the reader something more.

How to Write a Super Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step #1: Collect All Your College Essay Prompts.

1. Develop your college list.
2. Gather your college essay prompts for all of your colleges. Hop onto the Common App to do that. Paste them into a simple spreadsheet with all the supplemental essays you need to write.

Step #2: Choose 2-4 Rockstar Achievements Or Passion Projects That Might Work As A Potential "Super Essay Topic."

What’s that, you ask? It’s a topic that could potentially work for multiple prompts.

How Do You Find A Super Topic?

Look to your brag sheet, resume, or write a list of your favorite activities. Chances are, you’ll find a great topic there. If this isn’t working for you, choose something that:

• You’ve spent a LOT of time doing AND
• Is either awesomely impressive (like a research internship) OR interesting/weird (like leading historical hikes) AND
• Is NOT something you’ve already written about in your main statement.

If You Still Can’t Think Of Anything, Try Asking Yourself These Important Questions:

• Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
• What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. It could be learning English or a new language, keeping up grades for a scholarship, doing extracurricular activities, or whatever is true to your experience.
• Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
• Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
• What have you done to make your school or your community or neighborhood a better place?
• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

Once you have 1-4 potential Super Topics in mind…

Step #3: Note Which Topics Might Work For Which Prompts. Here Are A Few Examples Of Prompts:

• In the space available discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (150 words)
• Briefly describe a nonacademic pursuit (such as service to community or family, a club or sport, or work, etc.,) that best illustrates who you are, and why it is important to you. (250 words)
• Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (150 words)
• Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, class, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (250 words)

Heads-up:This technique of writing essays for multiple prompts works for scholarship essays too.

Step #4: Brainstorm Your Super Essay—and check your work!

25 Questions To Help You Brainstorm Content For Your Super Essay

What I Did (Day-to-Day):

• Did I list all my tasks, or just a few? What’d I forget? Go back and check.
• Did I list things I did that may have been outside the scope of my responsibilities?
• Did I leave off any awards? Any uncommon achievements?

Problems I Solved:

• Did I consider the internal problems I solved—any personal challenges?
• Did I name the external problems I solved—for my friends or family? School? Community?
• Was I tackling a much larger (perhaps global) problem?

Lessons I Learned & Values/Skills I Developed:

• What were some of the soft skills I learned (patience, communication, etc.)?
• Did I learn any specific software (Photoshop, Final Cut Pro)? Languages (Spanish, C++)? Survival skills (how to start a fire or clean a fish)?
• What am I better at now than I was before?
• What would I have done differently?
  

This blog post was originally posted on CollegeEssayGuy.com.

QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott at the Queens Name Explorer Launch Event at McGoldrick Library 

QPL’s “Queens Name Explorer” Project Seeks to Assemble Archive of the Borough's Streets, Buildings, Parks, and Monuments Named After Individuals 

FLUSHING, NY _ Queens Public Library today announced the launch of its Queens Name Explorer project, seeking to create an interactive map documenting the biographical details of individuals whose names grace Queens’ streets, schools, buildings, parks, monuments, and other public places. 

The program was announced by Dennis M. Walcott, President and CEO of Queens Public Library, who also unveiled the project’s website. He was joined by Natalie Milbrodt, Director of QPL’s Queens Memory Project, which will lead the initiative, and Jason D. Antos, Executive Director of the Queens Historical Society. 

As part of the project, the Library will ask the public to join the effort to find local spaces that are named after individuals. People will also be able to share photos of these figures or personal remembrances of them via the Queens Name Explorer website. 

The initiative will encompass places named after well-known individuals, such as Gwen Ifill Park in Jamaica, near the longtime PBS anchor’s birthplace, as well as places honoring local activists, such as Lorena Borjas Way in Jackson Heights, named after a Mexican-American transgender and immigrant rights activist. 

The event was held at the McGoldrick branch of Queens Public Library in Flushing. The branch serves as yet another example of a place named after an individual. Its namesake, Rev. Edward McGoldrick, was an Irish immigrant and priest, who served as the first pastor of St. Andrew Avellino Church in “Upper Flushing.” Father McGoldrick sought to promote education in the area and advocated for the opening of a library there. He was also on the Queens Public Library’s Board of Trustees from 1921 until his death in 1930.

“Since its inception, Queens Public Library has amassed and maintained an enormous collection of maps, newspapers, photos and other reference materials about the history of Queens County, including its history before becoming part of New York City in 1898,” said Walcott. “This fantastic, truly unique project will deepen and enhance our existing collection and cement our role as the leading repository dedicated entirely to Queens's rich history in New York City.”

The project will rely on crowdsourcing, with the public's input adding to the wealth and diversity of information. The goals of the project include:

• Increasing knowledge about individuals honored by named spaces in Queens.
• Enriching local history reference collections for current and future researchers through photographs and memories contributed by the public.
• Enhancing awareness of communities not represented or underrepresented in Queens' named spaces.
• Creating a dynamic living archive of Queens named places to be available for public contributions and access.
• Engaging residents - past, present, and future - in local history.

“Our team has combined archival research and data mining techniques to assemble a treasure trove of historical information about these individuals, sourced from our own archives, NYC Open Data and other sources, but it’s far from complete,” said Milbrodt. “We’re asking anyone with information about the history behind named places in Queens – whether it’s a published photo or article, or a personal remembrance, photo or video – to visit the Queens Name Explorer website to share their additions and edits to the place name entries on the map. Many individuals represented with honorary namings are well known to a small local contingent, but not well-known outside their immediate communities. We aim to raise awareness of these beloved local figures who have made lasting contributions to our city.”

The Queens Name Explorer team will display the information gathered on the project’s website, queenslib.org/explore, powered by UrbanArchive.org, with an interactive map featuring each named place in Queens with icons denoting the various location categories. 

“This effort will do a magnificent job to strengthen the amount of available historical information relating to Queens,” said Antos. “We’re thrilled to be working with Queens Public Library and the Queens Name Explorer team to bring this project to fruition so our residents can learn about all the people behind the names we see on street signs and buildings every day.”

The Queens Name Explorer project will also include analyzing the demographics of Queens neighborhoods to identify gaps in representation between named places and the people of these communities.

Queens Name Explorer is funded by a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

To contribute information, image, or video, click here.

###

About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library (QPL) transforms lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. It 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 5.4 million books and other materials in 200 languages, technology, and digital resources. Prior to the pandemic, the Library hosted more than 87,500 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually and welcomed 11.4 million visitors through its doors.   

Nearly every Queens resident lives within a mile of QPL’s 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center located in the nation’s largest public housing complex, two teen centers, two bookmobiles, and a book bicycle. For more information, visit www.queenslibrary.org.

Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016

 

At the Newly Opened Teen Tech Center at Crown Heights Library (Left to Right): Ellen West, VP of investor relations and Google NY site lead, Maria Torres-Springer, New York City's Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, BPL President and CEO Linda Johnson, a teen attending BPL teen programs, NYPL President and CEO Tony Marx, QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Ashley Rajaratnam, Director of Social Impact at Best Buy, and William Floyd, Director of External Affairs at Google New York

Mayor Adams, New York City’s Libraries Partner With Google.org, Best Buy, Joly Family Foundation To Provide Nearly $20 Million In Funding To Support Teens And Young Adults Disproportionately Impacted By Pandemic

October 12, 2022

Partnership Features Major Expansion of Teen Centers at Brooklyn, New York, and Queens Libraries, Enhanced Library Services, Programs for Teens

Funding Will Help Provide Access to State-of-the-Art Technology, Academic Enrichment, Social and Emotional Support Services

NYC Kicking in $15 Million, $4.5 Million More from Google.org, Best Buy Foundation, Joly Family Foundation

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library today announced a partnership with Google.org, the Best Buy Foundation, and the Joly Family Foundation that will allocate approximately $20 million towards opening dedicated teen spaces at the three facilities to provide vital resources and services in an inclusive and engaging environment for New York City youth. After navigating the COVID-19 global pandemic and an extended period of isolation, New York City teens are poised to receive substantial support from the city’s public libraries, which are building on recent efforts to enhance teen services thanks to a major new public-private partnership designed to help young adults create opportunities for future success. The libraries will have programming and enhanced learning opportunities to support skills and career development, allowing young adults to actively use their local library to reestablish peer communities and advocate for their future. As part of this announcement, more than 30 teen centers are opening throughout the five boroughs. 

"After two years of isolation during the pandemic, our young people deserve a boost and today's announcement is just one of many of this administration's ongoing commitment to New York City youth. The teen centers offer young people a space where they can connect with each other in person, learn new technical skills and how to collaborate better, and receive social and emotional support,” said Mayor Adams. "By investing approximately $20 million in new funds in these teen centers, we are connecting our young people with extraordinary programs in technology to discover new passions and prepare themselves for future careers. This is public-private partnership at its best, and will provide our city’s youth with the best we have to offer.”

“Now, more than ever, teens in New York City need safe, dynamic spaces where they can find inspiration, explore new interests, sharpen their digital and tech fluency, and learn about post-secondary opportunities,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Brooklyn, New York, and Queens Public Libraries, Google, and Best Buy to invest nearly $20 million in additional funding for teen spaces and programming in so many vibrant communities across our city.”

“We are thrilled to be able to provide teens with safe spaces where they can connect with friends and neighbors, learn the skills they need to be productive and engaged citizens, and discover through our programs and books who they might become," said Linda E. Johnson, president and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “We are grateful to Mayor Adams, Google.org, and the Best Buy Foundation for their generous and enthusiastic support of teen programs in libraries across the city.”

“As a free and inclusive resource for all New York City students, it is vital libraries create new opportunities to engage with teens and offer greater access to tools that will help them develop critical skills for their education and success later in life,” said Anthony W. Marx, president, The New York Public Library. “Technology has a profound importance in the lives of teens, providing them with opportunities to learn, communicate, and express their individuality. With the generous support of our partners — Mayor Adams, Google.org, the Best Buy Foundation and the Joly Family Foundation — these new centers will introduce teens not only to the vast resources of The New York Public Library, but to ever-evolving technology in creative and welcoming spaces that encourage collaboration with their peers and provide extensive resources and services for their growth.”

“The pandemic has been particularly tough on teens, many of whom have lost ground academically, found their support networks disrupted, and faced unprecedented mental health challenges,” said Dennis M. Walcott, president and CEO, Queens Public Library. “This funding will enable us to provide more teens with safe, inclusive, and inspiring spaces and critical supports to master digital skills, unleash their creativity, develop new interests, connect with peers and caring adults, and discover opportunities for college and career success. From the beginning of his administration, Mayor Adams has made clear that libraries are essential to our communities, and we are grateful to him, his administration, and Google for investing in the promise of teens — and of libraries – to help fuel the recovery of our city.”

With the Adams administration’s investment of $15 million, New York City’s libraries will develop new or updated teen centers in underserved communities throughout the five boroughs. The funding will also be used to support the hiring of additional staff, as well as create jobs for teens at each system. Branches throughout the city will also offer holistic support for teens with enhanced programs. Today’s announcement is part of the city’s overall strategy to keep the city’s youth engaged and active, expanding opportunities that empower teens and help them find the right path for success.

In addition to the city’s investment, Google.org, the Best Buy Foundation, and the Joly Family Foundation will expand vital support for teens with additional dedicated centers and enhanced services that will allow young adults to build strong foundations to succeed both in school and later in life. The partnership with Google is part of the company's NYC Tech Opportunity Fund, and its $4 million investment in local computer science education previously announced last month. That investment will include a $1.5 million grant to fund the opening and expansion of six teen centers, which will play a considerable role in providing resources focused on digital literacy and technology skills. The centers are located in each of the five boroughs at the following library branches:

• Bronx: Woodstock Library and Wakefield Library
• Brooklyn: Crown Heights Library
• Manhattan: Countee Cullen Library (scheduled to open in early 2023)
• Queens: Far Rockaway Library
• Staten Island: West New Brighton Library

The Best Buy Foundation and the Joly Family Foundation committed to opening five Best Buy Teen Tech Centers in public libraries, with one opening this spring at the Grand Concourse Library in the Bronx and expanding to four more sites in the next couple of years. Their initial commitment will be upwards of $3 million through 2025, and will be funded by grants, technology donations, and innovative partnerships that provide career and post-secondary opportunities to teen participants. Best Buy Teen Tech Centers aim to advance tech equity for young people in underserved communities, connecting them with mentorship, training opportunities, and post-secondary and career resources to ensure they thrive in the future. The new sites join a location at Kings Highway Library in Brooklyn that opened in 2019.

As CEO of Best Buy, Hubert Joly, founder of the Joly Family Foundation, oversaw the creation of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center program. There are now over 50 Teen Tech Centers nationwide, with a goal to open 100 by 2025 to reach tens of thousands of teens from disinvested communities across the country. Each Best Buy Teen Tech Center provides access to a variety of resources, such as access to cutting-edge technology, including tools for film production, augmented and virtual reality, digital media, 3-D design, and audio engineering.

“The Best Buy Teen Tech Centers are there to serve New York City’s teens,” said Hubert Joly, former chairman and CEO, Best Buy, and trustee, The New York Public Library. “I’m proud that this partnership gives them the opportunity to channel their talent, energy, and ideas into brighter futures.”  

“Google.org is proud to support the New York, Brooklyn, and Queens libraries to open teen tech centers that will give young New Yorkers access to training, guidance, and resources, creating opportunities for them to participate in the tech economy of the future,” said Ellen West, VP of investor relations and Google NY site lead, Google. “We are grateful for the partnership with the libraries, the Mayor’s Office, and the Best Buy Foundation on this important initiative.”

“Since long before the pandemic, our city’s teenagers have needed partnerships like this — that creates spaces for community, supports them in and out of school, and empowers them to build a future around what motivates and fulfills them,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “In no time, we will see the benefits of these programs in the transformation of New York’s youth and the better city they will in turn build. We are so fortunate that Brooklyn will be home to these teen centers, and I thank Mayor Adams, our public libraries, and our private and philanthropic partners who have made it all possible.”

"The past two and a half years have been especially devastating for teens across the city, so this new investment couldn’t come at a better time,” said Jonathan Bowles, executive director, Center for an Urban Future. “It will help thousands of teens get back on track to futures full of possibility, and it’s a wonderful recognition of the vital role that New York’s branch libraries play in ensuring an inclusive and equitable recovery."

“For decades libraries have been the central space for young people to engage and connect with literature and one another,” said Dr. Meisha Porter, former DOE Chancellor and president and CEO, The Bronx Community Foundation. “This partnership with Mayor Eric Adams, Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and the Queens Public Library, Google.org, the Best Buy Foundation and the Joly Family Foundation will ensure that young people continue to have that dedicated space. The enhanced services offered in this space will also allow young people to have access to the digital tools and learning opportunities to ensure they have the 21st century skills needed to navigate the world.”

Queens Public Library joins our City in celebrating Italian Heritage Day & Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which honors the past, present, and future contributions of Indigenous communities and Italian Americans.

In 2021, President Biden issued a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples, and “the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society."

October is also Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, which honors the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.

Join QPL in celebrating these important cultural holidays with our upcoming programs, plus booklists for adults, teens, and kids!

All QPL locations will be closed on Monday, October 10 in observance of Italian Heritage Day & Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

 

Programs

Mni: A Celebration of Water & Women in Indigenous Dance
Thursday, October 13, 6pm
Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Italian Heritage Month Celebration for Children (Virtual)
Wednesday, October 19, 3pm
Join Ms. Lucy and Mrs. Deborah from Mitchell-Linden Library to celebrate Italian Heritage Month! Children will hear stories and Italian songs for kids, then learn how to make delicious pizza and a simple tambourine, a popular Italian musical instrument.
In order to keep children safe online, please email Ms. Lucy at lucianne.pastorello@queenslibrary.org or come to Forest Hills Library or Mitchell-Linden Library for more information, including the link and password to join.

 

Booklists

Indigenous Heritage Adult Fiction

Indigenous Heritage Adult Nonfiction

Indigenous Heritage Books for Young Adults

Indigenous Heritage Picture Books

Indigenous Heritage Middle Grade Fiction

Indigenous Heritage Middle Grade Nonfiction Part 1

Indigenous Heritage Middle Grade Nonfiction Part 2

 

We're proud to continue the fight against censorship and spotlight banned books.

We're inspired by this list of the 100 most popular banned and challenged books in circulation at Queens Public Library during the past decade.

These stories will open your mind to new perspectives, cultures, surroundings, and beyond. Perfect for inquisitive readers, they don’t shy away from the truth—in fact, they get right to it, with humor, heart, wisdom, and suspense.

Click on the links below to learn more about these books and borrow them online and from your local QPL branch, including copies in several international languages!

 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Spanish

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Korean

Feed by M.T. Anderson (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | eAudiobook

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | French | Russian

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks) (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Spanish

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Spanish

Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (Adult)
Book | eBook | Russian

City of Thieves by David Benioff (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake (Children’s)
Book | eBook | eAudiobook

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Spanish

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Chinese | French | Korean | Polish | Russian | Spanish

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Polish | Spanish

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Chinese | French | Italian | Spanish

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Korean | Malayalam | Spanish | Urdu

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Chinese | Korean | Polish | Russian | Spanish

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney (Young Adult)
Book | Russian

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Chinese

Class Act by Jerry Craft (Children’s)
Book | eBook | eAudiobook

New Kid by Jerry Craft (Children’s)
Book | eBook | eAudiobook

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (Children’s)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (Children’s)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Spanish

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Children’s)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Chinese | Spanish

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook

 

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Spanish

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle (Children’s)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Chinese | Korean | Polish | Russian | Spanish

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | eAudiobook | Chinese | Dutch | French | German | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Yiddish

Melissa (previously published as George) by Alex Gino (Children’s)
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Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Adult)
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Ground Zero by Alan Gratz (Children’s)
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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Young Adult)
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Looking for Alaska by John Green (Young Adult)
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Adult)
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Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (Adult)
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I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings (Children’s)
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The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton (Young Adult)
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The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Adult)
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Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (Adult)
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We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson (Young Adult)
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Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Adult)
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Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson (Young Adult)
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The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson (Children’s)
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You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (Young Adult)
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How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (Adult)
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Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (Adult)
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Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Young Adult)

Lily the Thief by Janne Kukkonen (Children’s)
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Adult)
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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Children’s)
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Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (Young Adult)
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Proxy by Alex London (Young Adult)
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Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Children’s)
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In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (Adult)
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Sold by Patricia McCormick (Young Adult)
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Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Young Adult)
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Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Young Adult)
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Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne (Children’s)
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The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (Adult)
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Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman (Children’s)
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The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (Adult)
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1984 by George Orwell (Adult)
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White Bird: A Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio (Children’s)
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Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (Adult)
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The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan (Young Adult)
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Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (Children’s)
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A Child Called “It”: One Child's Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer (Adult)
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This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman & Kristyna Litten (Children’s)
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A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée (Children’s)
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All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely (Young Adult)
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Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (Young Adult)
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Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi (Young Adult)
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Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Children's)
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And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell, and Henry Cole (Children's)
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So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson (Adult)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling (Children’s)
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Young Adult)
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Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss (Children’s)
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The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Children’s)
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Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU
by Cory Silverberg & Fiona Smyth (Children’s)
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Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith (Children’s)

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith (Children’s)

Maus by Art Spiegelman (Young Adult)
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Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Children’s)
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The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead (Children’s)
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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Adult)
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Dear Martin by Nic Stone (Young Adult)
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This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki (Young Adult)
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Drama by Raina Telgemeier (Children’s)
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Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women
by Rey Terciero & Bre Indigo (Children’s)
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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Young Adult)
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Saga by Brian K. Vaughan (Young Adult)

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (Adult)
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Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (Adult)
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Go With the Flow by Lily Williams & Karen Schneemann (Young Adult)
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Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (Children’s)
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Native Son by Richard Wright (Adult)
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American Street by Ibi Zoboi (Young Adult)
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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Young Adult)
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How to Recognize What's Called 'School Refusal'—and Get Kids Back in Class

The term “school refusal” used to be more or less synonymous with truancy, invoking a picture of kids hanging out on the street corner, or holed up in their bedrooms playing video games.

While it is true that some game-playing might well be involved, it’s important to understand that school refusal is not the same as playing hooky. It isn’t driven by the allure of having fun outside of school, but rather by an aversion to school itself.

• What is school refusal?
• What should I do if my child won’t go to school?
• What is the treatment for school refusal?

 

PROBLEMATIC PATTERNS

Everyone resists going to school once in a while, but school refusal behavior is an extreme pattern of avoiding school that causes real problems for a child. School refusal is distinguished from normal avoidance by a number of factors:

• How long a child has been avoiding school
• How much distress they associate with attending school
• How strongly they resist
• How much their resistance is interfering with their (and their family’s) life

Including all these aspects is important, because a child can still have school refusal even if they attend school most days. I’ve worked with kids who have missed only a day or two of school, but they’ve been tardy 30 times because their anxiety is so extreme it keeps them from getting to school on time. Kids with school refusal might also have a habit of leaving early, spending a lot of time visiting the nurse, or texting parents throughout the day.

 

SUSPICIOUS SICK DAYS

Often kids with school refusal will start reporting unexplained symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. Anxiety does manifest in physical ways, so their symptoms could be indicative of that. As a parent, the first thing you want to do in this situation is get your child checked out by a pediatrician; you don’t want to overlook a medical problem. But it may be that going to school is their problem.

Sometimes resistance to attending school is just a little blip on the radar, and it can be easily remedied. Maybe your child had the flu and was out for a good amount of time, and now they are having a hard time making the transition back to school. Suddenly they are getting clingy and anxious about all the homework they have missed.

In this scenario, it is important not to prolong time at home. Instead, you want to have a conversation with the teacher and with your child. You want to be able to tell them, “We’ve talked to your teacher, and they know you were sick. I know you’re worried, but your teacher understands. It’s time to get back to school.” Then they return to school and often things go relatively smoothly.

Similarly, some kids in school experience blips of anxiety after vacations. The key point is to get children back in school as soon as possible.

 

MORE SERIOUS CONCERNS

When school refusal starts to become a bigger problem—it’s going on for numerous days, weeks or even months—you should reach out and ask for help. This includes kids who go to school but only attend partial days because they are spending a lot of time in the nurse’s office and getting sent home early from school.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

For more serious cases of school refusal, the first step in treatment is getting a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. While school refusal is not a diagnosable disorder, it often accompanies disorders like separation anxiety, social anxiety, depression or panic disorder. A complete assessment helps treatment professionals understand what is underlying school refusal, allowing them to tailor therapy to your child’s particular situation.

 

LISTEN UP

It’s also possible that something specific is happening at school, like bullying or a difficult class. This doesn’t mean you should immediately jump in and ask your child who doesn’t want to go to school, “Who’s bullying you?” But it is important to know what is going on in your child’s life. You should expect to hear what their teacher is like and how homework is going. You should also have a sense of the kids your child is hanging out with. These are all things that should come up in everyday conversation. And if your child mentions that something happened that day, perk your ears and put down whatever you were doing and listen in a nonjudgmental way, because it could be important.

 

REACHING OUT

Treatment providers working with kids who have school refusal will often use cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps kids learn to manage their anxious thoughts and face their fears. While kids who are anxious might disagree, the best way to get over anxiety is actually to get more comfortable with feeling anxious. Kids need the chance to see that they can attend school and their worst fears won’t happen. Exposure therapy, which reintroduces kids to the school environment gradually, is very effective at this. In the very beginning of treatment, this might mean driving by the school or walking through its empty halls on the weekend. From there kids can work up to attending one or two classes and then eventually attending a full day towards the end of treatment.

It’s best to be proactive and catch school refusal as soon as you can. Unfortunately, the longer a child misses school, the harder it is to get back in the routine, because being absent is very reinforcing. I have worked with families that describe getting ready for school like it’s a battle complete with huge tantrums. Sometimes the morning gets so challenging and exhausting that parents just give up and say, “Fine, stay home; I’ll go pick up your homework.” It’s a very understandable situation, but again, letting it continue puts kids one day further from being back at school. It is important for parents to know that the sooner the child gets back to school the better, and reaching out for help is an important first step.

—Rachel Busman, PsyD, ABPP, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders.

This article is published courtesy of the Child Mind Institute. For more resources, please visit ChildMind.org.

 

FURTHER RESOURCES

If your child is avoiding school because they are facing school-based discrimination and/or academic failure due to poverty, disability, race, ethnicity, immigrant or English Language Learner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, or involvement in the foster care or juvenile justice systems, call Advocates for Children’s Free Education Helpline on Mondays-Thursdays, 10am-4pm: (866) 427-6033.
 

It’s officially that time of year—again! Summer is over, and a new school year is beginning. For seniors, this is a particularly exciting time as it is your last year of high school—not to mention the beginning of the rest of your lives! Let’s make this year count.

To prepare for college, there is a lot you can do whether you’re a senior—or even a freshman just entering high school. Here are some guidelines:

FOCUS

• The earlier you begin to plan for the college process, the better. However, remember you are a student first! Maintaining good grades is the key to getting into the colleges or universities you love, so don’t lose sight of that as you research and apply to colleges.

GET INVOLVED

• Colleges are looking for well-rounded students who balance both academics and extracurricular activities. Fortunately, there are many ways to get involved in your community. Find something that is truly interesting to you, or something you are passionate about, and you will find a way to shine as a college applicant!

SCHOLARSHIPS

• Let’s face it, college is expensive, and it’s never too early to start looking for scholarships! As it happens, there are scholarships for just about everything. Every year, over $100 million in scholarship money goes unclaimed, which means there is money out there that is yours for the taking!

RESEARCH

• Seniors: your college list may already be complete; if not, don’t fret! You still have time and resources. Reach out to your school counselors for help, or swing by the Central Library to receive support from one of our College Readiness Representatives.
• Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors: we encourage you to start planning and thinking about what you’re interested in. This way, you can identify schools offering related programs. College Board is a great place to help you get a sense of what’s out there. Consider the following questions as you research and think about which school is best for you:
  • Where is the school located?
  • Which majors are offered?
  • Which sports are offered?
  • What is the social scene like?
  • What is the tuition?
  • What opportunities and resources are available?

COLLEGE TOURS (VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON)

• Once you have done the research on the school(s) and created your college list, consider a college tour. You can either visit the campuses in-person, or virtually (pick up free tablets and Wi-Fi access from QPL, if needed). This is a great opportunity to get a sense of the school’s culture, campus, and environment!
  

College applications on top of schoolwork can feel overwhelming. But it is nothing you and your support system cannot handle. If you do find yourself in need of some advice or guidance, please reach out to us at college.readiness@queenslibrary.org.

- By Danielle Clayton, College Readiness Representative, Queens Public Library

Are you finding yourself overwhelmed by student debt? If you’re a government or nonprofit worker, you may qualify for some much-welcome debt relief! PSLF, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, forgives any remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments have been made—if you’re working full-time for a qualifying employer.

Queens Public Library is here to support New Yorkers through the process of applying for PSLF. Read on to find information on the necessary materials, steps to enroll, and helpful resources for completing your application. Even if you’ve been rejected in the past, this program may benefit you—it’s certainly worth a try.

The PSLF waiver deadline is Monday, October 31.

Please note that PSLF is SEPARATE from the President’s Student Debt Relief Plan announced on August 24, 2022.

To apply, you will need:

• Your most recent W-2s from your employer OR your employer’s Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Your Federal Student Aid (FSA) login information

To enroll, follow these steps:

1. Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s PSLF Help Tool
2. Log in (or create an account and login)
3. Use the PSLF Help Tool to check if you qualify
4. Follow next steps based on the guidance provided on the website

Resources to learn more:

• NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection FAQ
• View a pre-recorded webinar or register for an upcoming information session at PSLF.nyc
• Forgivemystudentdebt.org has step-by-step instructions and additional tips
• Get free, individual support and counseling around loan forgiveness from:
  • Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) by calling (888) 614-5004 or emailing edcap@cssny.org
  • NYC Financial Empowerment Centers by making an appointment online here