COVER STORY: Dennis Walcott of the Queens Library

COVER STORY MORE THAN JUST BOOKS IN BUILDINGS

BY SHANE MILLER

On March 19, 1896, a library in Long Island City opened its doors, and with two other libraries in Astoria, the trio formed the Long Island City Public Library. When Queens consolidated with New York City in 1901, a new charter proposed joining all of the libraries in Queens under one umbrella. In 1907, the Queens Public Library was officially incorporated.

Just over 125 years later, Dennis Walcott now serves as president and CEO of Queens Public Library (QPL), steering it through arguably one of the most trying years in its century-and-a-quarter history, as one of the most public of institutions joined the rest of the city in closing its doors.

But one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country didn’t abandon its mission to serve the people of Queens by “building strong communities,” as its mission statement declares. If anything, the pandemic proved how integral the library system is to the people and neighborhoods of the World’s Borough.

“It did for a host of different reasons,” Walcott told This Is Queensborough about what COVID-19 taught him about the importance the library plays in people’s lives. “One, the library plays a very key role in that it is our responsibility to have information available to the public.

“But on the negative side, we really miss having the public in our buildings and miss having the public access information directly,” he added. “We miss the informal network and the safe haven we play for the public, and I know the public misses that tremendously.”

Queens Public Library (QPL) closed its doors on March 16 of last year, but by March 30 was up and running with a variety of virtual programming, offering everything from children’s story hour to ESL classes to resume development workshops. Currently, QPL offers

Dennis Walcott (right) with former mayor David Dinkins in 2016, the year Walcott became head of QPL.

about 75 virtual sessions per week. Walcott said. “She was able to Library halted service and was

“It’s not as a result of me, it’s a provide information that addressed converted into a vaccination site. result of the really smart and dedi- some of their concerns.” When Walcott spoke with Queenscated group of people who work As part of Black History Month borough, he was actually on his here,” said Walcott. “They turned in February, the library important way to the Ozone Park Library to on a dime and started ramping up to the African-American commu- check in on that branch’s converaround the virtual world. Every- nity, especially as they relate to sion into a second vaccination site. body was just fantastic and built it the pandemic and mental health. “We always wanted to play a role up rather quickly, expanded it and People from across the nation and if we could be helpful,” said Waldiversified the offerings.” even the world joined in the dis- cott. “So we worked with the city

The library addressed serious cussion. to turn the Flushing Library into issues, as well. Last summer, when “The crazy guy I am, I get up a vaccination site. We’ve always the discussion about race relations early to do my workout, so I woke wanted to serve the city in whatin this country began to heat up, up extra early to watch the insom- ever way we could around the the library hosted a session with nia session at 3 o’clock in the pandemic.” Attorney General Letitia James on morning,” said Walcott. That includes opening COVIDthe subject. QPL also hosted an 19 testing sites at several branches. interactive discussion with Dr. Lisa Cooper of Johns Hopkins Univer- QPL is also playing an integral role in fighting the panTo date, over 60,000 people have been tested at the Lefferts, Ozone sity about vaccine hesitancy. demic. Last month, the Flushing Park, Windsor Park or Kew Gar-

“Several people with vaccine hesitancy told some of “BUT ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE, WE REALLY MISS HAVING our team members that after seeing Dr. Lisa THE PUBLIC IN OUR BUILDINGS AND MISS HAVING THE PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION DIRECTLY. WE MISS THE Cooper, they decided to go INFORMAL NETWORK AND SAFE HAVEN WE PLAY.” get a vaccine,”

COVER STORY

dens Hills branches.

In July, the library began offering “to-go service” at seven branches, which has since expanded to over 35 branches. And despite the ongoing pandemic, QPL was able to keep several capital improvement projects on track, including new doors and ramps at the Sunnsyide Library, renovations to the Steinway branch, and improvements at the Glendale Library.

A new library in Far Rockaway is under construction, and the Astoria Library, which dates back to 1904 and is the oldest library in the QPL system, will soon be the focus of some much-needed upgrades.

“Once the city said we are going to move forward, our folks started meeting with them” Walcott said. “That feels great, because it’s our goal to constantly look at how we improve the infrastructure and address the needs of the community through a library that meets today’s needs and not one built for the 20th Century.”

Walcott assumed the role of president and CEO in 2016, a very tumultuous time for QPL. His predecessor was fired after it was discovered that he had charged hundreds of thousands of dollars of personal expenses to his library corporate card, as well as spent lavishly decorating his office at the Central Library.

The scandal also resulted in a drastic reshuffling of QPL Board of Trustees, but Walcott said it’s not in his personality to dwell on the negative.

“The library had a very challenging period, but my goal and the goal of the board was just to move forward, and we just keep focused and positive,” he said. “People were doing great things before I got here, and we’ll continue to do that. I only know how to operate in a very positive way.”

Walcott served as School Chancellor under former mayor Michael Bloomberg. In that role, he took his responsibility to the public seriously and worked to always be accessible. “When we had the old Panels for

Education Policy, I would never come on stage from the back, I always walked from the back of the auditorium where people would see me and interact,” he said.

“They would yell at me or be angry or whatever mood they needed to convey. I don’t have any problems with that.” It’s a focus he has brought to his role as head of QPL. He routinely greets QPL President and CEO Dennis Walcott speaking at Elmhurst Hospital. patrons at the Central Library when the doors open rarely seen reading or interacting our creative and dedicated team at 9 a.m., and can often be seen with anyone. Walcott eventually members here. roaming the floor. decided to ask him why. QPL also wants the public to “It’s different than when I was “He said, ‘The library is my help them mark the historic milechancellor, because here at the oasis from the craziness outside,’” stone. At qpl125.org, people can library you’re really open to the he said. “Being on the floor with upload photos or share their own pubic,” Walcott said. “As chancel- the desire to have people interact- library story, take an interactive lor you’re in an office building, so ing, there wasn’t a barrier. If I was quiz, enter a poetry contest, or write their own “Love Letter to Queens.” “NORMALLY WITH GALAS YOU CELEBRATE INDIVIDUALS, QPL will soon release a bucket list BUT OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS TO CELEBRATE 125 YEARS OF SERVICE. I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT OUR CREATIVE of 125 library experiences not to be missed, and the 125 employees AND DEDICATED TEAM MEMBERS HERE.” with the most seniority will be honored, including one woman who is just shy of her 50th anniversary with the public isn’t flowing in and out in an office away form the mix, I QPL. past you.” wouldn’t have heard those stories.” Walcott was born and raised Walcott shared the story of a man in Queens, and still lives there who would come to the library everyday and read approximately Despite the new vaccines and the city, hopefully, returning with his wife Denise, with whom he has four children and eight ten books a week. He struck up to some semblance of normal, now grandchildren. He grew up a fivea conversation with the man and is still not the time to be planning minute walk from the St. Alban’s learned that he was homeless and large-scale celebrations. That said, branch, and in high school Walcott under the impression he was not QPL isn’t going to let it’s 125th changed buses across the street allowed to have a library card anniversary go by unnoticed. For from the Central Library, where he because of his housing situation. starters, a virtual gala is planned would do research, but by his own

Walcott said team members quick- for June. admission, also a lot of “just hangly made him a card-carrying mem- “Normally with galas you cel- ing out.” ber of QPL. ebrate individuals, but our goal “Some of those librarians are Another man would come to the this year is to celebrate 125 years probably thinking, ‘I can’t believe library everyday at 9 a.m. and sit of service,” Walcott said. “I can’t this guy is the head of the Queens at a table until 2:30 p.m., but was say enough positive things about Public Library,’” he said.

NONPROFIT NEWS CONSERVANCY HAS MOMENTUM FROM STRONG 2020

The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance and advocate for the green spaces and waterfront of Long Island City, and to ensure the parks remain an indispensable asset to the community.

Their main programming areas - volunteer projects and free community events - were disrupted significantly by the coronavirus pandemic, as they involved large groups of people gathering together in parks.

In response, HPPC radically reinvented these programs in order to keep its community safe, while still providing high-quality programming and fulfilling its obligation to keeping Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunter’s Point South Park in top shape through facilitating volunteer cleanups.

Throughout the 2020 calendar year, HPPC hosted 100 virtual events attended by 3,000 people, and held 56 volunteer sessions attended by 514 volunteers. HPPC volunteers removed 856 bags of weeds, planted 1,206 plants and 13,000 bulbs, and pruned an additional 750 plants.

They also helped mitigate trash buildup on the LIC waterfront by purchasing seven Bigbelly trash cans for Hunter’s Point South Park (doubling the park’s trash capacity), created a 3,300-square-foot pollinator meadow with the Newtown Creek Alliance, worked with NYC Parks to remove graffiti in the parks and fix broken lights, and helped bring public art to the waterfront.

As the 2021 calendar year kicks into gear, HPPC is looking to build on their momentum from a strong 2020. A successful season of virtual events in 2020 prompted a new 2021 winter virtual program series (with another coming mid-April) featuring 20 events over Zoom, including yoga, Zumba, art, and kids STEAM programs.

All events are free, but registration is required and all information

Volunteers take part in cleaning up a waterfront park in Long Island City.

can be found on HPPC’s online calendar.

The end of April will also see the launch of the season’s volunteer gardening days and HPPC is encouraging anyone interested to help. They will be working in Hunter’s Point South Park every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. and every Saturday morning in Gantry Plaza State Park at 10 a.m.

Ten volunteers at a time will be allowed and registration is required. Volunteers are required to wear a face covering through the duration of the session and follow other safety guidelines.

The Conservancy is also bringing back its corporate volunteer program. Queens-based companies in particular are encouraged to bring their employees out for a day in the fresh air on the waterfront giving back to the community and its parks.

Corporate volunteer days are bespoke experiences that are tailored to fit the needs of each company and ensure a safe environment. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Casey Chamberlain, HPPC’s manager of Programming and Development at casey@hunterspointparks.org.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

BUYING & SELLING ON ALIBABA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

is as simple as adding items to a cart, entering your payment information, and placing your order. Alternatively, you can message sellers directly to negotiate prices or customize your products. There are more steps involved here, but it is still very straightforward.

CHOOSE FROM MILLIONS OF PRODUCTS

With millions of products on Alibaba.com, buyers have the flexibility to choose the seller and items that best suit them. For example, if you search “T-shirt” you will get nearly 180,000 results for that item alone. You can then filter your results based on the criteria that matters most to you.

TOOLS FOR GLOBAL SOURCING

The very nature of Alibaba.com is useful for businesses who are ready to go global, and the platform has special tools for buyers and sellers who want to do business across borders. The most valuable tool for global expansion is the automatic translation of storefronts and private messages. The platform currently supports 18 languages, which helps knock out the issue of language barriers.

Learn more about how you can grow your business through global sourcing at activity.alibaba.com.