NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Flushing Library, the largest library in Queens and the busiest in the country prior to its closure, is scheduled to reopen next month for the first time in two years.
The library closed in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staff are aiming to reopen with full services in mid-to-late April.
The library started providing to-go services in November of 2020 and later served as a vaccination site in March of 2021.
The HVAC system that provided the building with cooling, heating and ventilation broke in May of 2021, forcing the vaccination site to close and extending the library’s hiatus.
During the closure, the Queens Public Library system constructed a new elevator, renovated an existing elevator and built a new, temporary HVAC system at Flushing Library.
Queens electeds lauded the return of the library, which in 2019 drew 1.7 million visitors — making it the busiest in the world, according to the QPL.
“Getting this branch open again couldn't be more critical for all those who rely on it,” wrote Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on Twitter.
City Councilmember Sandra Ung and Congresswoman Grace Meng toured the renovated facility on Friday in anticipation of the reopening.
“It was exciting to be back inside the Flushing Library today with QPL President & CEO Dennis Walcott,” wrong Ung on Twitter. “I can’t wait until Flushing residents can do the same when it reopens to the public next month!”
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