Grand Opening Ceremony for the East Elmhurst Library Friday (Photo: Queens Library)
June 29, 2019 By Christian Murray
Elected officials cut the ribbon on the expanded East Elmhurst Library Friday.
The library, located at 95-06 Astoria Blvd., was originally built in 1972 as a 7,352 square foot brown brick building. Today, the building is 4,290 square feet bigger and includes a new multi-purpose assembly space that accommodates about 170 people.
The additional space has been added to the front of the old brick structure, since the original building was recessed from Astoria Boulevard. Additionally, the building was expanded east where there was a vacant lot.
The library in 2016, pre expansion. New space was later added to the front and to the vacant space on the east (Photo: DDC)
The new front section contains the assembly room, which has a separate entrance for after-house access for the community. The new side space also includes an interior reading court with a skylight and a computer room.
In addition, a 1,665-square foot outdoor patio and garden area has been built in the rear of the building.
The old library building was not demolished. Instead, it has been enclosed inside a continuous glass wall along Astoria Boulevard and the teen area was expanded with computers, lounge seating plus reading tables and benches. The entire library, which serves about 83,000 users per year, has a new façade.
The expansion and revamp cost $9.9 million, according to Queens Public Library officials.
“The renovation and expansion have transformed East Elmhurst Library into an even more inviting oasis of learning and opportunity for all,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott in a statement. “With more room for books, periodicals, computers and programs, the branch is sure to become busier than ever before.”
The library meets the criteria for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Redesign) Silver Certification, and contains several sustainability features including skylights for natural lighting, library officials said.
The East Elmhurst Library during construction (Photo: March 27, 2019 Queens Post)
The East Elmhurst Library during construction (Photo: March 27, 2019 Queens Post)
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