Brand New Far Rockaway Library Opens
By Katie McFadden
The brand-new Far Rockaway Library is now open. On Tuesday, July 30, elected officials, community partners, architects and neighbors gathered in front of the building at 1637 Central Avenue for a ribbon cutting ceremony, before getting a first look at the new space.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was a day of celebration of something that was a long time coming. Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, members of the public, QPL staff and volunteers, and community leaders were all in attendance. All spoke at the ceremony which also featured a steel drum and dance performance by students from M.S. 53.
The Far Rockaway Library has a long history. The original Far Rockaway Library opened almost 120 years ago, on August 18, 1904, and was the first library in Queens built with money donated by the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. That building was destroyed by a fire in 1962 and was replaced with a 9,000-square-foot, single-story building that served the community until its closure in 2018, making way for the new facility.
The brand-new building at the intersection of Mott Avenue and Central Avenue was designed by the renowned architectural firm Snøhetta. The new, two-story structure is twice the size of the prior building and cost $39 million to design and construct. It features a unique glass façade and central atrium space designed to let natural light penetrate deep into the building while giving customers views of the sky from within the building. A tall transparent glass pyramidal opening at the corner serves as the library’s main entry.
Inside the library, as part of the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program, Mexican artist Pablo Helguera created the “Feynman Code,” a tribute to the Nobel Prize-winner and theoretical physicist Richard Feynman (1918-1988), who grew up in the neighborhood and attended Far Rockaway High School. One of his contributions to physics are Feynman diagrams, pictorial representations of the mathematical expressions describing the behavior of subatomic particles.
The 18,000-square-foot building features a teen room and computer area located on the first floor, along with library offices, a book sorting area and a staff lounge and lockers. There is also a rear yard accessible to the public. The second floor, accessible by an elevator and stairs, has separate adult and children reading areas, and a dividable meeting room. Restrooms are available on both floors. The new library offers 32 public computers, 32 public laptops, and a collection of nearly 30,000 books, periodicals and other materials in several languages. For the Far Rockaway Library, Helguera created an alphabet where every letter is replaced by a Feynman diagram.
“The opening of this spectacular library marks an important moment in Queens Public Library’s 120-year relationship with the neighborhood and in the revitalization of Downtown Far Rockaway,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “This dynamic building is a work of art designed to welcome, inspire, and connect everyone who comes through its doors.”
“It’s been a long time in coming, but the new Far Rockaway Library is a spectacular facility that will prove to be well worth the wait,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said. “Countless Far Rockaway families now have access to the first-class center of learning, culture, imagination, and community engagement that they have long deserved. This $39 million investment is one of the highlights of my career, and I couldn’t be prouder to have delivered — along with my colleagues —this stunning new library and all its resources to this community.”
“This beautiful, modern facility stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of investing in historically overlooked neighborhoods,” Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers said. “As someone who once relied on my local library for job searches and vital resources – and frequented our local branch for story time with my then infant daughter – I know firsthand how transformative libraries can be. I encourage everyone to take full advantage of the array of programs and services this library offers as we continue to fight for the resources our community deserves.”
“FINALLY,” Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato said. “When I was growing up in Far Rockaway this library was always there when I needed it. It is such a comfort to know that it continues to be a staple of the community and resource for everyone. The amazing beautification and modernization of our Far Rockaway Library is a welcomed addition to the community.”
“Libraries are community hubs,” said Felicia Johnson, District Manager of Community Board 14, who comes from a family of librarians. “They connect people to information and connect people to people. They are safe havens for kids, and a sanctuary for seniors. This new Far Rockaway Library has been a long time in the making. As District Manager, I am excited to see where the minds of the residents of this community will go, with the tools this building will provide. Libraries have the power to change lives for the better, so let the change begin!”
The Far Rockaway Library is one of three QPL facilities that will be open seven days a week. For more info, call 718-327-2549.
