The Queens Public Library in New York City’s Queens borough announced on March 27 that the Flushing Library located at 41-17 Main Street in Flushing will temporarily close for approximately five weeks starting from April 27 (Monday) to undergo two crucial safety upgrade projects, with plans to reopen in early June.
The construction project will be overseen by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), involving the replacement of smoke dampers in the fire alarm system and the addition of new fuel storage tanks for the building’s generator to enhance overall fire safety and emergency power levels.
To facilitate the construction of the fire system, the auditorium within the library will be closed starting on March 30 (Monday) and will remain out of service throughout the construction period. Additionally, the library will also conduct maintenance work on the service elevators simultaneously during the closure to concentrate construction efforts and minimize future impact on the public.
Dennis M. Walcott, President and CEO of the Queens Public Library, stated that the upgrade project will incorporate several improvements simultaneously to minimize the impact on the community as much as possible. He emphasized that the Flushing Library, which has been in operation for nearly 30 years, is one of the busiest branches in the entire system and its facilities are due for updates.
“We understand that the temporary closure will cause inconvenience to readers and staff, but these enhancements are crucial to ensuring the long-term safety and functioning of the building. We appreciate the community’s understanding and patience,” Walcott said.
During the period when the library is temporarily closed, visitors are encouraged to visit other nearby branches, including the McGoldrick Library located at 155-06 Roosevelt Avenue, the Mitchell-Linden Library at 31-32 Union Street, and the East Flushing Library at 196-36 Northern Boulevard.
The Flushing Library serves the Chinese community in Queens and other ethnic communities, offering book borrowing services, educational programs, and community activities. After completing the safety upgrades, the library will provide the public with a safer and more reliable environment for use.