Queens Library history

In 1906, a traveling library office was set up to extend library service to under-served, less-densely populated areas.

The Queens Borough Public Library was incorporated in 1907.

By 1910, use of these collections had grown to such an extent that a Traveling Libraries Department was established.

In 1919, the Department of Branches and Apprentices was created, combining responsibility for work with children, management of staff, and supervision of branches.

Meanwhile, service to schools had grown so that it became necessary, in 1930, to create a Department of School Libraries.

By 1946, Queens Library had 44 branches plus the Central Library and a very active bookmobile.

The Extension Department and the Department of Branch Administration merged in 1956 to form the Extension Services Department with responsibility for the development of all public services outside of the Central Library building.

One of Queens Library's major innovations was the establishment of its "Operation Head Start" program which began in March 1965.

In spite of its elegance, it was too small for the demand and was replaced by a new, more spacious facility in 1966, through the persistent efforts of the Library Director, Harold W. Tucker.

The Library Community Action Committee of Corona-East Elmhurst approached Queens Library for help in obtaining an LSCA grant, and Langston Hughes opened its doors in April 1969.

In 1978, Queens Library had the City's first computerized circulation system.

Since 1981, the Library has maintained special services (including materials, equipment, programs, and information/referral) for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

In 1986, the Queens Library Foundation was established to raise supplementary funds from private, corporate and foundation sources.

In 1987 the library came under the system's aegis and is funded through the Library's expense budget.

The building was renovated and expanded in 1989.

In 1990 a second generation circulation system was installed.

In 1991, these units were combined under the Programs and Services Department.

In 1992, the circulation system was linked to a network of other, similar systems for the purpose of exchanging cataloging records.

In September, 1993 a text-based Online Patron Access Catalog (OPAC), dubbed InfoLinQ™, was installed in Central Library to test its feasibility.

In October of 1994, the Connecting Libraries and Schools Project (CLASP) began in School District 30, eventually expanding throughout the borough.

In celebration of Queens Library's Centennial on March 19, 1996, the Library unveiled its own web site.

Grants from the Gates Foundation, for instance, funded the Far Rockaway Small Business Resource Center which opened in 1997, as well as smaller Cyber Centers in other community libraries.

In 1998, the first Queens Directory of Immigrant-Serving Agencies was compiled and published by the Library’s New Americans Program.

In 1999, new Langston Hughes and South Jamaica Branches opened for customer service.

CLASP was suspended following severe budget cuts in 2001.

Family Literacy Programs and Health Literacy became part of the Adult Learner Program in 2002.

In 2003, Queens Library began experimenting with a new way to serve its customers.

In 2005, Queens Library developed proprietary self-service kiosks, which operate using Radio Frequency Identification chips (RFID) that are embedded into each library item and into the library borrower’s card.

2007, NYC Art Commission Award for the design of the new Queens Library at Glen Oaks.

2008, Joseph F. Schubert Award for Library Excellence (first runner-up), for Queens Library HealthLink

Additionally, 24-hour self-service check-in units are being installed, beginning late in 2010.

The Children’s Library Discovery Center opened in 2011.

In 2012, Queens Library began lending e-readers to customers.

In 2013, they began to loan tablet computers and other technology enabled devices.

2014 ALA/Information Today “Library of the Future” Award for custom Google Tablet interface.