Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s Office
“The wait was worth it,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (with book).
By Michael V. Cusenza
Ozone Park families joined elected representatives and Queens Library officials on Friday for the grand opening of the remodeled community library on Rockaway Boulevard.
The facility was closed for more than a year for the $1.2 million renovation project. New and improved library features include:
• A teen area with five computers and three booths with power outlets
• An adult area with six computers and five powered reading tables
• A new, larger 540 square-foot meeting room space
• All new décor and furniture
• Self-service book sign-in / sign-out kiosks
• A children’s area with six computers; a new ADA-compliant restroom; an Early Learning Center equipped with a play kitchen and toys; and a large mural depicting phases of the moon
• Electronic sign-up for computer use
The offices of State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) and her predecessor, Phil Goldfeder, and the State Department of Education footed the bill for the renovations.
“It is important that we continue to invest in our libraries, which play such a vital role in our communities,” Ulrich said. “This new self-checkout equipment will help the residents of Ozone Park – and all of Queens – better enjoy Queens Library and all the educational opportunities it has to offer. My constituents have long deserved these upgrades and renovations at Ozone Park Library, and I am proud to have funded this project.”
Pheffer Amato added, “This is a great day, a long time coming. Libraries are one of those quintessential community resources. I spent a lot of time at my local library as a kid. That’s where we learn, where we delve into new ideas, and increasingly, where we go online. Kids, adults, people seeking jobs – everybody uses this resource. And it’s been over a year since Ozone Park had one available.”
