New York City Council Members Become "Friends of Queens Library" Chapter

Queens Borough President Swears in City Council Members as "Friends of Queens Library" at the Long Island City Branch

Speaker Quinn Announces Private/Public Partnership to Donate Books

Van Bramer Donates $1K to Support Buy a Book Campaign

Borough President Marshall Matches Van Bramer’s Contribution

New York City Council Members being sworn is as a new Chapter of Friends of the Library   Books Rule!       Full video coverage and follow up Q&A are available in the left column in 4 segments of approximately three to five minutes each. Part 1: OurLIC Coverage of Queens Library Ceremony to Swear in City Council as Friends of the Queens Library. 3/15/2011 Part 2: OurLIC Coverage of Queens Library Ceremony to Swear in City Council as Friends of the Queens Library. 3/15/2011 Part 3: OurLIC Coverage of Queens Library Ceremony to Swear in City Council as Friends of the Queens Library. 3/15/2011 Part 4: NY1 Coverage of Queens Library Ceremony to Swear in City Council as Friends of the Queens Library. 3/15/2011

Long Island City, New York March 15, 2011 - Helen B. Marshall, Queens Borough President, at a ceremony today, swore in Members of the New York City Council as "Friends of the Queens Library"...a first for all boroughs.   This is the first time ever that a group of City Council Members have formed their own chapter of the Queens Library Friends. During the ceremony, Council Member Van Bramer made a personal donation from he and his partner for $1,000 to the Buy a Book fund.   Queens Borough President Helen Marshall matched his donation with a $1,000 personal contribution to the Queens Library emergency book fund. Speaker Christine Quinn told the group that she vividly remembers a bookcase, in the library she went to as a child, that was filled with books about people who changed the world.  She said she read about all of these world leaders and what they each did.  That was what caused her to pursue her own career in politics. Borough President Helen Marshall spoke to the school children and told them that she was thrilled that they were attending the ceremony, and proceeded to read each one of the signs that they were holding.  She then told the story about her earliest experience as a child in her local library.   BP Marshall was later an employee of the Queens Library, and remains as one of its greatest supporters. When asked about the library at Hunters Point South on the East River,  the Borough Presendent beamed with pride over the decision and the design and said that it would be open by 2013.   OurLIC attended the ceremony and will be making the full video content of the ceremony with this article.   Watch here for expanded coverage and highlights. Press Release for City Council: CITY COUNCIL CHARTERED AS NEWEST "FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY" Speaker Quinn Announces Private/Public Partnership to Donate Books Van Bramer Donates $1K to Support Buy a Book Campaign Borough President Marshall Matches Van Bramer’s Contribution   On Tuesday, March 15th City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer, Councilmembers Vincent Gentile and Karen Koslowitz were sworn as the "City Council Chapter, Friends of Queens Library" by Borough President Helen Marshall. As their first official initiative, the City Council Chapter joined their fellow Friends in an emergency campaign to buy library books and other materials for library shelves. The campaign follows a drastic drop in the library's new materials budget, as public funding sources have fallen short. The Friends of the Library (in and out of the Council) are determined to help enrich the educational and cultural lives of their neighbors, and to keep minds and library shelves full through their efforts. Since matching funds are available only through March 31, every book purchased by the Friends of Queens Library will be matched with another until that date. The community is encouraged to Buy A Book for the library. The Friends of Queens Library are volunteers who strengthen Queens Library through legislative advocacy, community awareness and fundraising. There are more than 3,000 Friends of the Library throughout Queens. But no one fits that description more than the stalwart supporters on New York’s City Council. It only seems fitting that the Council have their own Chapter of the Friends of Queens Library. In a gesture to support the Buy a Book Campaign, Council Member Van Bramer announced a $1,000 personal contribution for the fundraising initiative to help put additional books on Queens Library Bookshelves and Borough President Helen Marshall matched his contribution with an additional $1,000 donation as well. “The Buy a Book initiative is a great program for our community and I am thrilled to be standing here today with Speaker Quinn, Council Member Gentile and my colleagues in the New York City Council as we are inducted as official Friends of the Library,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Chairman of Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee. “The formation of this Friends chapter is one more sign of the City Council’s commitment to our libraries and I will continue to fight for Queens Library as I have for the past twelve years.” City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn also announced that through the City Council's public/private partnership they were able to secure donations from publishers and encourage individuals, companies, organizations to reach out to their local libraries during this time. “I am truly honored to be inducted into the Friends of the Queens Library,” said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Our city’s libraries are a great way for everyone to explore a whole new world without breaking the bank. And what a great way to continue this tradition by donating a newly purchased book to the library. By doing so, we’ll be sharing old memories of your favorite story while creating news ones for anyone walking through these library doors. I want to thank the Queens Library and the generous book donors who are making this possible.” "The connection is clear - when we support our libraries, we support literacy, employment, access to technology and so much more," Councilman Gentile said. "Libraries are important, institutional cornerstones for local neighborhoods, providing phenomenal and free access to a literal wealth of information and assistance. I am honored to be sworn in as an official Friend of Queens Library at a time when the library system deserves to be championed and has found steadfast friends in Speaker Christine Quinn, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Council Member Domenic Recchia.  We are committed to finding ways to not just protect but enhance our public library systems, and this Buy-a-Book program is one of those ways." “While the City Council remains committed to supporting our city’s libraries, we need all the help we can get, and that’s why the Buy a Book program is such a great idea,” said Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Chairman of the Finance Committee. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be named a Friend of the Queens Library, and as a newly-inducted member, I encourage New Yorkers to donate a copy of their favorite book. The best part about reading a good book is sharing it with someone else.” "The City Council has supported Queens Library time and again, and have always been true friends. We are delighted to welcome them now as official Friends. With their activism, and the energy of Friends of the Library from all over, we know we can bridge the gap in our new materials budget," said Thomas W. Galante, CEO, Queens Library. Library lovers in all five boroughs are being asked for their support. The Friends of Queens Library are asking donors to fill out an envelope available in the library or at local merchants' or to go online at www.queenslibraryfoundation.org. In Brooklyn, pledge to the Fill the Shelves drive, https://bpl/brooklynbpubliclibrary.org/donate/. In Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, New York Public Library is asking library fans to go to www.nypl.org/support.   Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library. Queens Library serves a population of 2.3 million in the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S. With 23 million items in circulation for FY 2010, the Library has among the highest circulations of any public library system in the world. For more information about programs, services, locations, events and news, visit the Queens Library Web site at www.queenslibrary.org or phone 718-990-0700. Queens Library. Enrich Your Life (r). Press Release for Queens Library: CITY COUNCIL CHARTERED AS NEWEST "FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY"; COMMUNITY ASKED TO BUY-A-BOOK FOR THE LIBRARY LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, March 15, 2011 --  City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer, Councilmembers Vincent Gentile, Dominic M. Recchia, Jr. and Karen Koslowitz were sworn in today as the "City Council Chapter, Friends of Queens Library" by Borough President Helen Marshall. As their first official initiative, the City Council Chapter joined their fellow Friends in an emergency campaign to buy library books and other materials for library shelves. The campaign follows a drastic drop in the library's new materials budget, as public funding sources have fallen short. The Friends of the Library (in and out of the Council) are determined to help enrich the educational and cultural lives of their neighbors, and to keep minds and library shelves full through their efforts. Since matching funds are available only through March 31, every book purchased by the Friends of Queens Library will be matched with another until that date. The community is encouraged to Buy A Book for the library. City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn also announced that through the City Council's public/private partnership they were able to secure donations from publishers and encourage individuals, companies, organizations to reach out to their local libraries during this time. To support the Buy a Book campaign, Councilmember Van Bramer announced a $1,000 personal contribution for the fundraising initiative to help put additional books on Queens Library's bookshelves. Borough President Helen Marshall matched his contribution with a $1,000 personal donation of her own. "The Buy-a-Book program is a real and tangible way in which you can contribute to the enrichment of the life of a child or adult by giving the gift of knowledge. I urge everyone who is able, to participate in this campaign," said Borough President Helen Marshall. The Friends of Queens Library are volunteers who strengthen Queens Library through legislative advocacy, community awareness and fundraising. There are more than 3,000 Friends of the Library throughout Queens. But no one fits that description more than the stalwart supporters on New York's City Council. It only seems fitting that the Council have their own Chapter of the Friends of Queens Library. "I am truly honored to be inducted into the Friends of the Queens Library," said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "Our city's libraries are a great way for everyone to explore a whole new world without breaking the bank. And what a great way to continue this tradition by donating a newly purchased book to the library. By doing so, we'll be sharing old memories of your favorite story while creating news ones for anyone walking through these library doors. I want to thank the Queens Library and the generous book donors who are making this possible." "The Buy a Book initiative is a great program for our community and I am thrilled to be standing here today with Speaker Quinn, Council Member Gentile and my colleagues in the New York City Council as we are inducted as official Friends of the Library," said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Chairman of Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee. "The formation of this Friends chapter is one more sign of the City Council's commitment to our libraries and I will continue to fight for Queens Library as I have for the past twelve years." "The connection is clear - when we support our libraries, we support literacy, employment, access to technology and so much more," Councilman Gentile said. "Libraries are important, institutional cornerstones for local neighborhoods, providing phenomenal and free access to a literal wealth of information and assistance. I am honored to be sworn in as an official Friend of Queens Library at a time when the library system deserves to be championed and has found steadfast friends in Speaker Christine Quinn, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Council Member Domenic Recchia.  We are committed to finding ways to not just protect but enhance our public library systems, and this Buy-a-Book program is one of those ways." "While the City Council remains committed to supporting our city's libraries, we need all the help we can get, and that's why the Buy a Book program is such a great idea," said Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Chairman of the Finance Committee. "It's an honor and a privilege to be named a Friend of the Queens Library, and as a newly-inducted member, I encourage New Yorkers to donate a copy of their favorite book. The best part about reading a good book is sharing it with someone else." "The City Council has supported Queens Library time and again, and have always been true friends. We are delighted to welcome them now as official Friends. With their activism, and the energy of Friends of the Library from all over, we know we can bridge the gap in our new materials budget," said Thomas W. Galante, CEO, Queens Library. Library lovers in all five boroughs are being asked for their support. The Friends of Queens Library are asking donors to fill out an envelope available in the library or at local merchants' or to go online at www.queenslibraryfoundation.org. In Brooklyn, pledge to the Fill the Shelves drive, https://bpl/brooklynbpubliclibrary.org/donate/. In Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, New York Public Library is asking library fans to go to www.nypl.org/support. Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library. Queens Library serves a population of 2.3 million in the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S. With 23 million items in circulation for FY 2010, the Library has among the highest circulations of any public library system in the world. For more information about programs, services, locations, events and news, visit the Queens Library Web site at www.queenslibrary.org or phone 718-990-0700. Queens Library. Enrich Your Life (r).   New York City Council Members being sworn is as a new Chapter of Friends of the Library Books Rule! City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Karen Koslowitz, Council Member, City of New York Queens Borough President, Helen Marshall makes a $1,000 personal donation to the Queens Library. Queens Borough President, Helen Marshall sets a good example, making a $1,000 personal donation to the Queens Library. Thomas W. Galante, CEO, Queens Library Mark Christi, Friends of the Library at Hunters Point on the East River, Treasurer Councilmember Vincent Gentile A light moment during the swearing in ceremony. Council Member, Jimmy Van Bramer makes a personal donation to the Queens Library from he and his partnet for $1,000 (L). (C) Tom Galante, CEO Queens Library. (R) Diana Chapin, Executive Director, Queens Library Foundation. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, speak to the children in Queens Library in Long Island City Tienya Smith, Manager, Queens Library At Long Island City (21st Street) Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer presents a generous personal donation from he and his partner to the Queens Library (L) Peter Wayne, Associate Director, Queens Library Foundation. (R) Diana Chapin, Executive Director. Queens Libratry Foundation. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn City Council Speaker Christine Quinn Helen B. Marshall, Queens Borough President Karen Koslowitz, Council Member, City of New York Thomas W. Galante, CEO, Queens Library Speaker Christine Quinn, City Council NYC Helen Marshall, President,, Borough of Queens Thomas W. Galante, CEO, Queens Library City Council Speaker Christine Quinn Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer Helen Marshall, President,, Borough of Queens

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