The Queens Library branch in Cambria Heights, NY, celebrated the start of work on its new 4,000-square-foot Teen Center with a ceremonial wall-breaking last week, with NYC Councilman Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. and Queens Library’s president and CEO Thomas W. Galante swinging big hammers while NY State Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark, Friends of the Library, and local teens cheered. The library hopes to open the space—which will include a Cyber Center, a lounge and gaming area, a sound recording booth, a meeting room, and a reading room—by next spring.
The new Teen Center, which will also house books, reference materials, and school work resources, is being built in the lower level of the library. Councilman Comrie allocated $1.342 million toward the project, which will create expanded areas for adults and children on the main level as the teens move downstairs, effectively enlarging the library area by 44 percent. The Teen Center will also have a separate entrance, so it can also be used as a youth community space during non-library hours.
“Queens Libraries remain a critical part of our communities, and I am grateful to have been able to allocate funds to make this expansion possible,” Comrie said.
Local teens Shalleca Broadbelt, Miguel Rodriguez, Shanea Moulta, and Philipia McNabwill presented Comrie with a Proclamation thanking him for funding the center.
“Queens Library joins the young adults of this community in thanking Council Member Comrie for his foresight and commitment to public libraries and teens,” added Galante. “With his support, the library will be the coolest place in Cambria Heights and we couldn’t be happier.”
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