The Queens Library Foundation

The Queens Library Foundation raised $2,108,161 from foundations, corporations and individuals to support the programs, activities and collections of Queens Public Library. This included restricted grants totaling $270,536 for out-of-school literacy and enrichment programs for children; $192,849 for digital literacy and other re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals; $170,000 for job training and entrepreneurship; $113,300 for programs and collections at Flushing Library; $55,000 for hip hop programs; and $40,000 to support co-branded library cards to encourage new card sign ups among school children and adults. The Queens Library Foundation continued to manage multi-year grants secured in previous years which resulted in the clean-up, beautification, furnishing and maintenance of 6 library gardens which are now open to library customers; the installation of extended WiFi in over 50 libraries which has resulted in an almost four-fold increase in WiFi sessions; the launch of new college-readiness programs; digital literacy training for teens and others who borrow hot spot devices and laptops from the library; and enrichment and literacy activities for children and youth. Unrestricted grants and contributions awarded to the Queens Library Foundation were used to support a variety of programs and services throughout the library system. These include $101,258 in mini-grants of $2,500 distributed to library branches throughout the system for programs, activities and collections; $98,468 in Innovation Fund grants to support ten new innovative projects developed by individual libraries and departments; and $26,673.50 for Culture Pass, which provides free tickets to cultural institutions and events for our customers, and brings cultural events to our libraries. The Queens Library Foundation also secures in-kind donations to help support the Library's programs and activities. In FY2023, this included 810 backpacks stuffed with school supplies for back to school giveaways; 490 new books for our collections and for giveaways at events; 20 boxes of t-shirts and other sports memorabilia, 1,500 baseball hats, and 600 sports towels to distribute as giveaways and incentives for clubs and events; 198 cases of bottled water and other beverages for redistribution at mobile food pantries; and two museum quality traveling exhibits for display at our libraries.