Mayor Eric Adams (third from left) broke floor on the foremost renovation of Queens Public Library’s Hollis Library.
Picture courtesy Workplace of the Mayor of the Metropolis of New York
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Public Library (QPL) President Dennis M. Walcott, and New York Metropolis Division of Design and Building (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley on Friday broke floor on a $7.4 million venture that can fully modernize the inside of the Hollis Library QPL department with new studying rooms, more room for computer systems, and extra options for guests and employees.
Adams additionally celebrated three years of great investments within the metropolis’s libraries, with whole funding within the metropolis’s libraries approaching $900 million within the Fiscal Yr (FY) 2025 to FY 2028 capital plan.
“I’m proud to be right here to interrupt floor on this main renovation of the Hollis Library, a $7 million venture that can enhance the library expertise for this whole neighborhood,” mentioned Mayor Adams. “New York Metropolis’s libraries are a lot greater than only a place to take a look at a e-book, notably for low-income New Yorkers.
“From searching for a job, to staying cool in a warmth wave, to getting on-line, our public libraries are the hearts of our communities,” he added. “That’s the reason our administration has invested greater than $300 million within the metropolis’s libraries over three fiscal years, with almost $900 million dedicated within the 2025-2028 Capital Plan.”
“This DDC in-house design will fully overhaul the present inside into an environmentally-efficient, fashionable, and spacious library with extra pure lighting, a number of studying areas, a multi-purpose room, more room for computer systems, and ADA-compliant restrooms,” mentioned DDC Commissioner Foley. “Sooner or later, we hope we will use a quicker methodology of building administration for library renovation tasks known as CM-Construct, which offers much more flexibility for coping with points that come up within the subject after we begin work.
“As soon as our building reform invoice, which was handed by the state Legislature, is signed in Albany, we’ll be capable to full tasks like these even quicker and extra effectively,” he added.
“The upcoming transformation of Hollis Library represents our dedication to offering fashionable, inviting areas that encourage folks to be taught, develop, and discover success,” Walcott mentioned. “I wish to thank Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Councilmember Linda Lee for his or her substantial funding and for his or her fixed assist of our libraries.”
Adams mentioned enhancements to the Hollis Library QPL department, funded partly by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and New York Metropolis Councilmember Linda Lee, will embrace new insulated partitions, new flooring and ceilings, and smooth, embedded lighting fixtures.
The mayor mentioned the library’s entrance might be upgraded with a brand new reception space, and the façade will embrace massive perimeter home windows for further lighting.
Adams mentioned the renovation will create three studying rooms — a primary studying room with an space for youngsters, a kids’s space, and a multi-purpose room with a visible and audio system.
He mentioned the design additionally permits for extra pc house, with a capability for 16 workstations. Wi-fi web may also be out there all through the constructing. The inside renovation will comply with the newest ADA-accessible requirements, together with upgraded restrooms.
The mayor mentioned the venture may also change and improve all constructing mechanical techniques, together with electrical, fire-alarm, and plumbing.
Moreover, he mentioned the library’s inside and exterior lighting and mechanical techniques might be made compliant with the New York Metropolis Power Conservation Code.
After the renovation, it’s anticipated that the 1973-built library might be licensed as LEED Silver for effectivity, Adams mentioned.
He mentioned the venture is anticipated to be accomplished in spring 2026.
“Hollis households deserve a spectacular, state-of-the-art library to name their very own, and that’s precisely what we’re working to ship, beginning with in the present day’s groundbreaking,” mentioned Richards, whose father hails from Jamaica. “I’m so proud to have allotted $1 million to this vitally vital venture, which is able to make a world of distinction for this neighborhood, and to have put greater than $26 million into the Queens Public Library system as an entire since taking workplace.
“Our libraries are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, and it’s crucial that we guarantee each single department sees the funding it must greatest serve our households,” he added.
“Libraries are important hubs that present college students, older adults, and households a spot to socialize, entry the expertise, and obtain supportive companies they have to be profitable,” mentioned Lee, chair, Metropolis Council Committee on Psychological Well being, Disabilities, and Addictions. “I’m proud to hitch my colleagues in absolutely renovating and modernizing the Hollis Public Library for our neighborhood.
“Residents should really feel a way of delight residing of their neighborhood, and this funding to improve our neighborhood library will function another excuse to be blissful to name Hollis house,” she added.
