Mayor Adams Breaks Ground on Major Renovation of Queens Public Library’s Hollis Library

October 18, 2024

Library's Interior to be Transformed with New Reading and Multi-Purpose Rooms, Redesigned Entrance, and More

Administration Has Invested More Than $300 Million in City's Libraries in Three Fiscal Years; Nearly $900 Million Committed in FY 2025 - FY 2028 Capital Plan

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Public Library (QPL) President Dennis M. Walcott, and New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley today broke ground on a $7.4 million project that will completely modernize the interior of the Hollis Library QPL branch with new reading rooms, more space for computers, and additional features for visitors and staff. Mayor Adams also celebrated three years of significant investments in the city's libraries, with total investment in the city's libraries approaching $900 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to FY 2028 capital plan.

"I am proud to be here to break ground on this major renovation of the Hollis Library, a $7 million project that will improve the library experience for this entire community," said Mayor Adams. "New York City's libraries are so much more than just a place to check out a book, particularly for low-income New Yorkers. From looking for a job, to staying cool in a heat wave, to getting online, our public libraries are the hearts of our communities. That is why our administration has invested more than $300 million in the city's libraries over three fiscal years, with nearly $900 million committed in the 2025-2028 Capital Plan."

"Our administration is focused on providing world-class libraries citywide, ensuring no neighborhood is left behind," said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. "The renovations to the Hollis Library will provide the neighborhood with the state-of-the-art features that New Yorkers deserve. This is just one great example of how our library systems, with this fiscal year's investments, are providing New Yorkers with access to knowledge and resources."

"As we break ground on the major renovation of Hollis Library, we are reminded of all the ways that New Yorkers use their libraries in the internet age - not just for quiet study but for play, for caretaking, accessing social services, and so much more," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "Our hardworking team at DDC is up to the task of delivering public spaces that meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers. CM-Build, which the governor has on her desk to sign into law, will help us renovate our aging civic buildings like libraries more quickly and affordably."

"This DDC in-house design will completely overhaul the current interior into an environmentally-efficient, modern, and spacious library with more natural lighting, several reading areas, a multi-purpose room, more space for computers, and ADA-compliant restrooms," said DDC Commissioner Foley. "In the future, we hope we can use a faster method of construction management for library renovation projects called CM-Build, which provides a lot more flexibility for dealing with issues that arise in the field after we start work. Once our construction reform bill, which was passed by the state Legislature, is signed in Albany, we'll be able to complete projects like these even faster and more efficiently."

"The upcoming transformation of Hollis Library represents our commitment to providing modern, inviting spaces that inspire people to learn, grow, and find success," said Dennis M. Walcott, president and CEO, Queens Public Library. "I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Councilmember Linda Lee for their substantial investment and for their constant support of our libraries."

Renderings of the Hollis Library Renovations. Credit: DDC

Improvements to the Hollis Library QPL branch, funded in part by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and New York City Councilmember Linda Lee, will include new insulated walls, new flooring and ceilings, and sleek, embedded light fixtures. The library's entrance will be upgraded with a new reception area, and the façade will include large perimeter windows for extra lighting. The renovation will create three reading rooms - a main reading room with an area for teenagers, a children's area, and a multi-purpose room with a visual and audio system. The design also allows for more computer space, with a capacity for 16 workstations. Wireless internet will also be available throughout the building. The interior renovation will follow the latest ADA-accessible standards, including upgraded restrooms.

The project will also replace and upgrade all building mechanical systems, including electric, fire-alarm, and plumbing. Additionally, the library's interior and exterior lighting and mechanical systems will be made compliant with the New York City Energy Conservation Code. After the renovation, it is expected that the 1973-built library will be certified as LEED Silver for efficiency. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

This announcement builds on recent work that DDC has done across the QPL system to upgrade and renovate buildings. Last week, DDC finished a $1.8 million roof renovation for QPL's Laurelton Library branch. The library now has a multi-layer roof system for insulation and water protection for the next 15 years. The building's façade was also restored with brick and marble replacements for a fresher look. The project was done nearly 10 percent under budget, saving taxpayers $160,000. DDC also recently completed a $2.2 million renovation of QPL's Hillcrest Library. The project replaced the library's roof and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

The Adams administration continues to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the city's vital network of libraries, which serve as community hubs, cooling centers, resource sites, and more. In the Fiscal Year 2025 Adopted Budget, the city invested an additional $58.3 million in expense funding to the city's libraries - allowing the city's three public library system to resume Sunday service across all branches that previously offered it and open newly renovated locations across the five boroughs. Additionally, this summer, Mayor Adams and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams announced that $42.8 million will be baselined in budgets in years going forward to avoid any sort of service disruptions. Over the past three fiscal years, the administration has added more than $300 million in investments to the city's three library systems, bringing the total commitment in the FY25 to FY28 capital plans to nearly $900 million.

"Hollis families deserve a spectacular, state-of-the-art library to call their own, and that's exactly what we're working to deliver, starting with today's groundbreaking," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "I'm so proud to have allocated $1 million to this vitally important project, which will make a world of difference for this community, and to have put more than $26 million into the Queens Public Library system as a whole since taking office. Our libraries are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, and it's critical that we ensure every single branch sees the investment it needs to best serve our families."

"Libraries are essential hubs that provide students, older adults, and families a place to socialize, access the technology, and receive supportive services they need to be successful," said New York City Councilmember Linda Lee, chair, Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions. "I am proud to join my colleagues in fully renovating and modernizing the Hollis Public Library for our community. Residents deserve to feel a sense of pride living in their neighborhood, and this investment to upgrade our community library will serve as another reason to be happy to call Hollis home."

"The iconic Queens Public Library system is one of the biggest and busiest in the world. More than repositories of knowledge, its branches are hubs of community activity where job seekers receive career guidance, immigrants learn English, and children's minds grow in Pre-K. I am proud that we reached a fiscally responsible FY 2025 to FY 2028 capital plan that invests almost a billion dollars in our libraries, opening the door to the renovation of the Hollis Library branch," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. "We will create new reading spaces, a teen area and multipurpose room, and ADA accessibility upgrades. We will also add new computers, equipment, and furnishings to preserve the Hollis library as a neighborhood institution. Together, we will make these investments so that New Yorkers have the world class libraries they deserve."

"The Queens Public Library at Hollis is a fantastic neighborhood resource, and I'm pleased to see local branch renovations and reopening across Queens," said New York State Assemblymember David I. Weprin. "The improvements to QPL Hollis will boost services for children, teens, and adults. As the former chair of the Assembly Task Force for People with Disabilities, ADA compliance is very important to me and I'm glad that these critical infrastructure upgrades are being made to ensure accessibility for all at QPL Hollis. This effort will not only enhance the library's functionality and accessibility but also provide a vibrant, welcoming space for the community to gather, learn, and grow. I look forward to celebrating the completion of these comprehensive renovations soon."

"Public libraries create jobs, provide workforce development opportunities, support small businesses, and enrich our everyday lives as New Yorkers," said New York City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, chair, Committee on Criminal Justice. "The investment to modernize the Hollis Library QPL branch will benefit thousands of residents at a time we see library usage rising, helping connect New Yorkers to vital services and programs."

"We're thrilled to have the long-awaited renovations to the Hollis Library QPL Branch," said Martha Taylor, chair, Community Board 8. "Community Board 8 has advocated for the improvement of the library. We know that former board member Marc Haken, who fought tirelessly alongside us, would be proud to see this. These improvements will create a more modern, accessible space that reflects the spirit and resilience of our community, providing a welcoming environment for learning, connection, and growth."

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