Queens, NY, February 1, 2010 – To meet more constituents and to hear about the issues that concern them, as well as to highlight the importance of weekend service at local libraries, NY State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., will hold office hours on Saturdays in three district libraries during February and March. Senator Addabbo is set to visit
Queens Library at Glendale, 78-60 73rd Place (off Myrtle Avenue), on Saturday, February 6 from 11 AM to 1 PM;
Queens Library at Maspeth, 69-70 Grand Avenue, on Saturday, February 27 from 11 AM to 1 PM; and
Queens Library at Middle Village, 72-31 Metropolitan Avenue, on Saturday, March 6, at from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Queens Library recently announced that 14 locations will soon end Saturday service hours due to citywide funding cuts. Starting February 1, three Queens Library locations in the Senator’s district will be open Monday through Friday only, with their usual service hours: Queens Library at North Forest Park, 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills; Queens Library at Ozone Park, 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard; and Queens Library at Ridgewood, 20-12 Madison Street. Check the Queens Library Web site at www.queenslibrary.org or look for the front-door signage posted at these three locations for more specific information.
Addabbo noted, “Many of my constituents might be unable to visit my district office Monday through Friday. The time I am spending at our local libraries gives them an opportunity to see me in their own communities on the weekend and for me to personally address their concerns. I will also be speaking about how important library funding is from the city and the state in providing weekend service at neighborhood libraries, when working people and students, in particular, need them open. In 2010, even something like a more accurate Census count in Queens than the undercount of 2000, we know will translate into many more dollars per capita (reflecting Queens population growth) and provide more funding for our public libraries.”
The Senator also noted that his library visits are not to replace his intention of opening a second office in the northern part of his district. Addabbo mentioned that for many months, the state has been in negotiations with multiple landlords for a number of proposed sites. There has been good progress since last fall, and he is optimistic that his northern district office would open by the end of March.
For more information on the Senator’s visits to Queens Library sites or the opening of his new office, call his district office in Howard Beach at 718-738-1111.