MENG SEEKS MORE DAYS OF MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE FOR REGO PARK LIBRARY WHILE FACILITY IS CLOSED AND REBUILT OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS

QUEENS, NY - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she asked the Queens Public Library to provide more days of mobile library service for the Rego Park Library while the facility is closed and rebuilt over the next several years.

The current 7,500-square-foot, one-story location at 91-41 63rd Drive is being demolished and will be replaced with a new 18,000-square-foot, three-story state-of-the-art building. But the library is not expected to reopen until the winter of 2029-2030, and during this time over the next several years, only one day a week of mobile library service is scheduled to be available at the site.

Many constituents in the area, as well as members of Queens Community Board 6 (which covers Rego Park), have said that this once-weekly service - which is on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - is not enough for the community.

So, the Congresswoman sent a letter to the head of the Queens Public Library respectfully requesting that additional days of mobile service be arranged for Rego Park.

"This would help ensure that local library users have greater access to the resources they need over the next few years, while the new library is being built," Meng wrote in her correspondence to Dennis Walcott, the President and CEO of the Queens Public Library. "Many residents who rely on the library, including seniors, students completing school assignments, and researchers, will be directly affected. While some disruption is inevitable as this state-of-the-art facility is built, Rego Park residents deserve consistent and meaningful access to library services throughout the process, and I respectfully ask that you consider this."

Meng added that "while the Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and North Forest Park branches will remain open, traveling to these locations presents a significant challenge for many neighborhood residents."

The Rego Park Library closed to the public in late November to prepare for construction and the one day a week of mobile service began in January.

The branch has consistently been one of the Queens Public Library's busiest locations, ranking among the top in checkouts, visits and computer use.

In December, Meng took part in the groundbreakingfor the new library where she expressed her excitement for the project, which has been decades in the making. The $39 million initiative is being managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction. The current facility opened some 50 years ago.

A copy of Meng's letter can be viewed here, and the text of the correspondence is below.

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Mr. Dennis M. Walcott President and CEO Queens Public Library 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11432

Dear President and CEO Walcott:

Thank you for having me at the recent groundbreaking for the new Rego Park Library. This is an exciting and ambitious project for constituents of my Sixth Congressional District of New York, and I look forward to its completion.

I am writing to share concerns raised by several of my constituents in the surrounding area, as well as members of Queens Community Board 6, regarding the once-weekly mobile library service planned during the construction period.

Many residents who rely on the library, including seniors, students completing school assignments, and researchers, will be directly affected. While the Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and North Forest Park branches will remain open, traveling to these locations presents a significant challenge for many neighborhood residents.

Therefore, I respectfully request that additional days of mobile service be provided in Rego Park. This would help ensure that local library users have greater access to the resources they need over the next few years, while the new library is being built, including services provided by the Queens Public Library, supported in part by federal funding.

As the mom of two boys, I know firsthand the crucial role that libraries play in our communities. While some disruption is inevitable as this state-of-the-art facility is built, Rego Park residents deserve consistent and meaningful access to library services throughout the process, and I respectfully ask that you consider this.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely, Grace Meng Member of Congress