More than 255 devices will soon be available for borrowing at QPL’s Lefrak City, South Jamaica, Astoria and Long Island City branchs
QUEENS, NEW YORK (October 21, 2021) – Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, Sterling National Bank, National Grid and the Thomas & Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation today announced separate donations from the three funders totaling $85,000 to give QPL customers without internet access at home the opportunity to borrow more than 255 internet-enabled hotspots at select locations. Sterling National Bank’s grant also will cover the cost of 18 laptops for loan to customers without computer access.
The Queens Public Library Foundation secured the funding as part of QPL’s broader goal to grow its supply of internet-enables hotspots. Many of the hotspots the Library has loaned in the past are either lost, damaged or no longer work. The devices can be checked out for one month and renewed up to three times.
“The digital divide widened even further when the world moved online during the pandemic, as os many people, particularly those living in low-income communities, have no reliable home internet access,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “To meet our mission to provide free access and opportunity to all, the Library must be positioned to loan out as many hotspots and other technology as possible to the public while the City works to find a long-term solution to provide internet service to those who are unable to afford it. We are extremely grateful to Sterling National Bank, National Grid and the Thomas & Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation for working with us to help us achieve our goal.”
Sterling National Bank donated $50,000 for 18 laptops and 100 hotspots for circulation from the Lefrak City branch, which is closed until further notice for emergency maintenance. To meet the demand for computer and internet service, Queens Public Library will start loaning the devices at a special distribution event Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. outside the library, located at 98-30 57th Avenue.
“Now more than ever, Sterling believes in the importance of bridging the digital divide in underserved communities,” said Karina Saltman, Senior Managing Director of CRA Administration. “Supporting digital literacy programming allows parents to help their children with remote learning, prevents isolation with access to online communities, promotes workforce development opportunities and enables other essential services like telehealth and online banking. Sterling is proud to partner with Queens Public Library to bring this program to fruition at their Lefrak City branch.”
QPL provided nearly 3 million free computer sessions in fiscal year 2019 prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, when many of the system’s libraries closed to slow the spread of COVID-19, thousands of people stood outside its buildings to catch a Wi-Fi signal. The Library recorded 498,810 Wi-fi sessions from March 2020 to May 2021.
National Grid donated $25,000 for the purchase of 75 hotspots that will be circulated to customers participating in workforce development programs at South Jamaica Library. “National Grid is proud to partners with Queens Public Library on this important initiative, which will allow job seekers in South Jamaica to access the Library’s virtual workforce and job skills training, as well as search and apply for employment opportunities online,” said Mauri Myers-Solahes, Corporate Citizenship Manager.
The Thomas & Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation Private Foundation gave a $10,000 award for 30 hotspots to be loaned out by the Astoria and Long Island City branches. “The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation has been a long-term supported of Queens Public Library and its programming,” said Pooja Joshi O’Hanlon, Executive Director. “The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for many services, supports and resources for residents in Western Queens, access to technology being one of them. The hotspots provided by Queens Public Library will go a long way towards alleviating some of this.”
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to servicing the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded 125 years ago, QPL offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in multiple languages, technology and digital resources, and more than 80,000 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually. QPL consists of 66 locations across the borough, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center, and two teen center, and attracted more than 11 million visitors in 2019.