Queens Borough Public Library – Flushing

For my first time at this huge library, I was impressed, though I had a moment of being slighted.
I liked how lively the library was: people were coming in and out through its doors on this weekday afternoon. I saw different types of people at the library: elderly couples, grade school students, kids… There’s also an abundance of tables where people can sit and read.
A highlight of this library branch is that I found staff members at many different places to answer any questions I might have, and they were kind and to the point in answering questions.
I felt turned off, though, when I asked a staff worker where the newspapers were and she said, «Chinese language newspapers?» I curtly said, «No, English language newspapers.» I felt like this was a sloppy remark on her part: I sensed she assumed my language abilities based on how I looked, which I didn’t like.
I felt like saying, «There are a lot of Chinese speakers here, but you can’t assume that about everyone you see!» (Not that there’s anything wrong with knowing the Chinese language). The staff worker can’t know my language abilities just by looking at my appearance /​East Asian looking face.
For the huge volume of different resources and places to sit here, I’d say I’m a fan and I want to come back again soon to read for a little while.

The kids section seems like an afterthought. It’s in a room in the basement. On the weekends, it’s very crowded in there and feels stuffy. On weekdays, when you can breathe, it’s fine. Would be nice if it was larger. For such a large building, the kids section is undersized. It’s about the same size as the temporary Elmhurst facility which is just a small trailer disguised as a building.

3.5÷5
Queens Library is a relic that is undervalued by millennials. A beautiful representation of the phases of sexual reproduction adorns one side of the building. A lot of the technological equipment is outdated, and I have not seen any new books on the shelves for some time now. There have been many occasions when Queens Library was almost closed due to a lack of funding. One of the biggest complaints seems to be about the WiFi. I cannot agree any less! Not only is it slow, but it just gets cut off out of nowhere for no reason whatsoever. Bathrooms in the basement and on the third floor are atrocious, and there are not enough stalls to accommodate the constant stream of patrons who come here. The library is currently a bit congested since the children’s room is undergoing remodeling and construction. Sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if there wasn’t a Queens Library in Downtown Flushing, or how different Downtown Flushing would be, in general. One thing I can say for sure is that QL has seen better days.

I’ve been moving between NYC and other cities for the past few years, and was pleasantly surprised to see that this branch had been renovated. It’s got a lot more selection and staff, and with that, people… and noise. I ducked into the teen room for a few moments of quiet, where I could pull off my headphones and read for a few short moments.
It was great for the first minute or so. Then, a group of librarians or workers (unsure what their official title was) headed into the teen room, loudly talking about personal stuff. Cool, that’s cool, we all have to get some of that talking out of our systems. What’s not cool at all is the alarmed look on everyone’s faces when they entered and how the librarians failed to notice or care that they were disrupting teens (or not teens… I look enough like a teen to get by) reading or doing homework on their laptops. What’s even less cool and definitely rude at this point is how the noisy and talkative workers just. kept. talking. louder and louder, about things that patrons of a library shouldn’t hear — office politics, concerns about their jobs, etc. (Btw, if you’re wondering how I knew the noise makers were librarians, thats why) I wanted to keep my comfy seat so I stayed, hoping they’d lower their voices.
That didn’t happen. In fact, they were shushed a couple times, but whatever they had to say was just so riveting they had to do it out in the open, much to the shock of myself and other patrons. The girl sitting next to me left with a scowl. I left quickly after that.
Flushing is never going to be a quiet place. Even the library, a place where it’s supposed to be quiet, is not. That is alright with me, really. Where it becomes unbearable is when those who work there don’t respect their own rules and make others feel uncomfortable. They created an unwelcoming space for kids who just wanted to get some damn work done without hearing about who is up for a promotion.
I love how Flushing library has a ton of new stuff to offer, but I wish the staff would be more conscientious with how they act. If they are just dying to gossip, I wish they would do so in a private office, not in the teen room where teens won’t be taken seriously if they ask a librarian to be a little quieter. Thankfully, everyone else downstairs was helpful when I needed to locate books. Come here to grab the things you need and go. Don’t linger.

I have been coming to this library for about two months now, and I am impressed with most of the library, but the bad aspects are hard to overlook.
The Bad:
1. The wifi seems unstable. When I first came here, I was getting disconnected form the wifi all the time. Given that they have a portal that you have to log into to get on the wifi, your device, once disconnected, cannot automatically sign on to the wifi. Thus, you have to go through the portal every time you want to get re-​connected to the wifi. Very Annoying.
After spending some time in the library, I realized that the wifi is not unstable. The issue is that the wifi range does not cover the entire library. There are plenty of places in the library that are on the outskirts of the wifi range. These places allow you to connect, but you will quickly lose connection. If you move to another location within the library (I have found that seats near the Teen section work well), you will have a strong, reliable connection to the wifi.
2. The adult bathrooms are not pleasant. If possible, I would avoid them.
The Good:
1. They have a lot of books! As someone who speaks Mandarin as a second language, I like the fact that I can checkout Chinese novels from my library. Also, as a person who is interested in Software Engineering, I was impressed by the number and selection of technical books that this library has.
2. Convenient to travel to. This library is three blocks from the 7 train. Getting to and leaving from this library is simple.
3. They have a Teen section! The library has a section that is dedicated to teens. To my knowledge, it is a place where only teens and employees of the library are allowed to enter.
4. They host events that are geared towards bettering the community.
5. The library hours are awesome! They are open every day of the week, and, on most days, they are open from 9 am to 9 pm.

I love this library for its massive selection of Chinese DVDs. Amazing!!! I love that they have super old-​school movies, including some of my favorites from HK cinema, AND they have Chinese shows. AMAZING!!!

This is a great library in a really good location. It’s mainly accessible by the 7 train, but there are also many, many buses that pass by here. To name only a few: Q25, Q65, Q17, Q27, etc.
The main thing I enjoy about this particular library is that they have hundreds of books that are in foreign languages. If you know anyone that likes to read but can’t read so much in English, you will definitely find books here in almost any language you can think of.

I like the fact that this library is in the heart of Flusing and so many people in the community leverage this library to study and read.
But I am so mad that the WiFi here cuts me off every 30 seconds! I am trying to work! And this is happening EVERYTIME I am here! Please fix it

I was at the old Flushing library location in the 90’s when I saw a sketch of a futuristic glassy building that was set to be built by 1998. It seemed to cool to be true. And then they did it. And it was beautiful.
Seventeen years later, machines have replaced many of the librarians and the shelves of VHS tapes have been replaced by… blank walls? But the same unwavering feeling of possibility still takes over me when I come. There’s something about being in a big glass building surrounded by ideas and knowledge and words that gets me every time.
As Hannah Brencher says, «Libraries are like a winning lottery ticket when you can’t spend any money or get on a plane to go find yourself.» You kind of can’t believe a lot of stuff is free. It goes beyond the allotted 20 sheets of prints and 30 minutes of Internet per day. It goes beyond being able to request the books and movies that you wouldn’t want to own.
They have a lot of free concerts and workshops that few people know about and go to. I went to one of their resume building workshops one summer when I had nothing better to do (from being unemployed). While it didn’t exactly help my resume, I felt better about not being the only one going to these things when 8 others showed up. That was enough for me.

Located in the heart of the Asian community in Flushing, is this gem. I love books, I love the library & I can honestly spend hours in a library exploring like Dora! LOL. This library is quite large. Even with heavy traffic it seems to remain quiet. IDNYC is on site for immigration services, such a plus! Large variety of books and open until 9pm on weekdays! Open until 6pm on Sundays! Awesome library! I wish I lived closer so I could explore more! Happy Unilocaling’

Truly the best library I’ve ever been to. Excellent customer service, large selections of Chinese materials, huge theater, wide variety of FREE comprehensive Adult Learning workshops, reliable and decent WIFI, enough plugs to charge your device (s) if you need juice and have nowhere else to charge with a lot of seats scattered all over, numerous art exhibits, enough computers to use with internet and printing capabilities am I missing anything else? Oh Yes opened 7 Days a Week!!!

Modern day library with 4 floors. This place is a life saver if you run into the issue of needing to use the bathroom. Many of the reading materials are geared towards the asian community. I went here to get my IDNYC. Other than that, its your typical new york city public library but just better funded.

I’m currently sitting in their library right now.
Basic rundown:
The library is 4 floors (including the basement) and is probably the biggest library in Queens. It’s conveniently located 2 blocks away from the 7 train and many buses that connect Flushing to Bayside, Long Island and Jamaica. The basement is where speakers come occasionally for free public events. The first floor has a children’s section and a fiction section. The second floor has a quiet room that fits approximately 15 – 20 people, a DVD/​audio book center, a studying area for about 150 people, and a «cyber» computer center to use computers in. This floor is pretty talkative and I’ve heard at least 4 – 5 phone call rings and consistent talking for the past 30 minutes but the staff and other visitors don’t seem to really mind. It’s not that bad for a big library though. The third floor has additional seating and other sections of books similar to the second floor. There’s also a wide variety of books in different languages especially in Chinese and Korean, similar to the background of the library’s main visitors. There’s also two bathroom locations but they’re not that clean but clean for a public one if you know what I mean. The entire library is also mainly see-​through since all their external walls are glass so I love the natural light seeping through their curtains throughout the library.
The bad:
–Free internet is extremely slow. Possibly 5mbps or nothing close to DSL. I think the average Starbucks would have faster internet.
–Not too quiet since people are talkative and don’t silence their phones
–Crowded, although there’s always a place to sit.
The good:
–wide selection of books
–many Chinese and Korean books
–clean
–well-​list b/​c of natural light pouring in from the windows
–quiet enough to study if you can drown out a little sound
Overall:
Flushing library is the best public library in Queens especially because it has the biggest selection of books and large space to study in, compared to other libraries in Queens. The clean and organized atmosphere with an added decadence of outdoor light pouring in through their wall size windows make a great place to study in. Wifi, although a bit on the slow side, is free and still useable. If you can’t find a place to study in Queens and Starbucks is too packed or noisey, this is the place to go!

This library has many floors and is kept generally pretty quiet. The ground floor is where the restrooms are, which can be a life savor for some people that aren’t able to find a restroom on busy main street. Don’t expect the cleanness bathroom though because there’s a lot of people that come here.
The librarian staff here are very helpful and professional. There are a lot of selection of books and I really like how they have a lot of DVDs. I know that a lot of people probably can easily stream, but for those that like the old fashion way of doing things, they have a bunch of DVDs that are pretty popular. If you’re not able to get a hold of the movie during your time at the library, you can easily hold the movie and you’ll be the next one to borrow it once it becomes available.
Convenient location with a lot of selections.

I’ll admit it now. I’m NOT a big reader. The last book that I read that I thoroughly enjoyed was probably Harry Potter series. Or perhaps it was the Inheritance Cycle with the first book/​movie being Eragon (I like Dragons. don’t judge). The only genres I’ll read are Sci-​Fi & Fantasy.
OH WAIT. my mistake. I lied. I also enjoy reading cook books. :)
Monday morning, I went to Flushing Library for the first time in like 3 – 4 years. Legit. Not even joking. I walked in. and immediately, I was like. this is such a strange place. The security guys, they were probably looking at me and thinking, «this guy don’t belong here.» Sure enough, one of them, actually followed me up to the 2^nd floor. Like, WTF MAN? What am I gonna steal? Books?! GTFO. LOLL
I looked around for about an hour and found 1 book that I was interested in. and I went to check out. I waited in line for like 20 mins. and then a librarian says, «Are you waiting to check that book out? You don’t need to wait in line.» –_​– Really. Sigh. You guys should have some signs on the walls or some sh! t.
She leads me to the check out station. where there are now computers with scanners. Wow. so high tech. O_​o

This used to be my favorite spot for the adolescent version of myself to grab a book because of the shiny green glass exterior. It sure has gotten less and less remarkable looking, but the facilities on the inside have only improved. It used to be very difficult to navigate and the people that worked there never seemed willing to help.
It’s certainly improved over the years, and it’s actually one of my favorite libraries now. The staff is now incredibly helpful, and there’s clear signage to where everything is located. They have a huge selection of books and quite a few recent releases in their DVD section. The self checkout stations have always been clutch, and it’s a really clean and modern (compared to other branches) library, even after 15 years after opening.

Really spacious and inviting inside. Quick and easy to get a membership. I simply brought my ID and a letter showing my address and was able to get my library card immediately. Librarians were friendly and helpful.
For the first month of getting the library card, you can only check out five items. After the first month you can check out up to 50! You can check out for 21 days at a time and can even renew some of the books online.
The checking out system was computerized and a bit confusing. You have to scan each book then leave it on top of the scanner.
Something that confused me was that this library is part of the Queens library system only, not the New York Public Library system. So if you are trying to submit an application for a card online, go to the Queens Library system website.

I visit this library a lot!
You will find me inside on the 2^nd floor searching for reference and text books or standing just outside the front door eating cheap dumplings or meat-​on-​a-​stick.
(The brain need nourishment)
This Flushing location is the busiest and most utilized Queens branches in the city; more than the Queens Central Library down in in Jamaica Queens.
Only 1 subway train serves this library but dozens of buses will get you here too!
There are computers and workforce assistance, thousands of movies and great community center downstairs.
There is even a teen room with booth seats and shows movies! (sorry for teens only)
Check their calendar.

So yeah I am one of those bookish types that like to read. It can be science fiction, mystery, thrillers or made for tv. I like them all. And if you live in queens and have a super long commute a book can be your best friend. I usually like to reserve items online at their website and just pick them up at my branch and since they now have self check out you don’t have to wait on excruciatingly long lines to get the books you want. If you want to return stuff just drop it inside the slot outside the doors or the slots inside the 1^st floor next to the checkout area. Pick up your reserves at the wall to the back of the first floor.
There is a media center on the 2^nd floor with CDs and DVDs here too. You don’t really need redbox if you have a library card. This branch also carries a lot of foreign language films in korean and chinese if you are into those soap operas and cops vs gangsters series.
This place also has a job center and lots of computers. There is an auditorium that holds special performances like open mics and live music from local bands. Lots of places for quiet time and areas to study mostly on the second floor. They also have a small childrens center where your kids can explore and play and sometimes listen to story time as well. The staff at this branch are also really nice and helpful too.
The Queens library website also has their own version of an e-​reader called Overdrive that you can put on your laptop, computer or smartphone. I have used it to listen to audiobooks and read regular books as well since sometimes its a burden to bring large heavy copies of the newest bestseller with you.
Great to have such a big branch by me and not as crowded as the Manhattan ones.
Note: they open late on Tuesdays but that means they close later.

This is one of the best branches of the Queens library system. Conveniently located, close to transportation and in the heart of Flushing!
I was able to use the computers quickly and print out documents easily without a lot of hassle and fuss. You can also make copies here, 25 cents per page.
Lots of people studying and just hanging out here.
I lost my passport here and they were able to hold onto it for me, so very cool. No one stole it. Awesome! Thanks Flushing library for everything. I heart you…