Children's Library Discovery Center
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Short description|Building in Queens, New York}}
{{Infobox building
|name = Children's Library Discovery Center
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|location = 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens, NY, U.S. 11432
|coordinates = {{coord|40.7077|-73.7970|display=inline,title}}
|map_type = New York
|floor_count = 2
|owner =
|architect = 1100 Architect
|main_contractor =
}}
The Children's Library Discovery Center, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, is an addition to the Queens Central Library building.{{cite web|last=Kristal|first=Marc|date=April 1, 2012|title=Happy Discovery|url=http://www.metropolismag.com/April-2012/Happy-Discovery/|publisher=Metropolis Magazine|access-date=January 29, 2014}} It was commissioned by the New York City Department of Design & Construction and completed in 2011 under the New York City Design and Construction Excellence program.
The center is the Queens Borough Public Library system's largest facility.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/children-library-discovery-center-queens-youngest-readers-find-science-stacks-article-1.961756#ixzz2sZBE29si|title=Children's Library Discovery Center: Queens' youngest readers find science in the stacks|author=Kathryn Kattalia|access-date=February 6, 2014|date=October 5, 2011|work=New York Daily News}} With a $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the center recruited specialists from the Exploratorium in San Francisco to design hands-on "discovery stations". The stations, geared toward children ages 3–12, introduce them to diverse topics such as weather, music, and nanotechnology.{{cite web|url=http://www.nymetroparents.com/queens/article/New-Children-s-Library-Discovery-Center-Opens-in-JamaicaQueens|title=New Children's Library Discovery Center Opens in Jamaica, Queens|access-date=February 6, 2014|date=September 16, 2011|author=Kaitlin Ahem|publisher=NYMetroParents}} According to Queens Library CEO Thomas Galante, the embedding of museum-like exhibits into a reading space as exemplified by the center is unique among public libraries in the United States.
The 22,000-square-foot, two-story building was designed by 1100 Architect, with graphics and wayfinding designed by Lee H. Skolnick Architecture & Design Partnership. The exterior is a conspicuous glass façade scaled to match the existing mix of low-rises in the neighborhood.{{cite web|last=Kimmelman|first=Michael|title=New York's Public Architecture Gets a Face-Lift|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/arts/design/new-yorks-public-architecture-gets-a-facelift.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 29, 2014|date=October 10, 2011}}
History
The library opened in 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.mommynearest.com/article/6-best-childrens-libraries-in-the-united-states |title=6 Best Children's Libraries in the United States |last=Kelly |first=Dawn |date=August 18, 2015 |website=Mommy Nearest |access-date=August 17, 2022}} The addition of the Children's Library Discovery Center is significant to the community of Jamaica, Queens, as it serves a diverse and marginalized population of New York City. The services provided by the center are not easily available to Queens residents.
The adjacent {{convert|275000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Queens Central Library building was designed by York & Sawyer in 1966.{{cite web|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|title=Queens Central Library Opens Wider|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/queens-central-library-opens-wider/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|work=The New York Times|access-date=2014-01-29|date=March 18, 2013}} As the first major branch of an urban library to place all public services on one floor, its design was representative of a new building trend towards functional library design. The new addition to the existing library was proposed under New York's Design and Construction Excellence program—a federal plan started in the mid-1990s that sought to bring better design to government buildings. The program, led by Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney, guarantees market-rate fees to architects with the intent to encourage fresh young talent in the city.{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Elizabeth A.|title=The Insider {{!}} Enlightening City Construction|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/the-insider-overseeing-city-construction/|work=The New York Times|access-date=2014-01-29|date=December 1, 2010}}
Awards
In 2011, the building received two awards: the Queens Library Foundation, Award for Excellence in Design; and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Building Award: New Construction/Public Building.{{cite web|url=http://www.1100architect.com/projects/queens-central-library-childrens-library-discovery-center/|title=Queens Central Library, Children's Library Discovery Center|publisher=1100 Architect|access-date=2014-01-29}} In 2012 it won the Municipal Art Society of New York, MASterworks Award: Best Neighborhood Catalyst, and in 2013, the NYLA-PLA Award.{{cite web|title=Queens Central Library CLDC Wins NYLA-PLA Award|url=http://www.1100architect.com/news/queens-central-library-cldc-wins-nyla-pla-award/|publisher=1100 Architect|date=August 26, 2013}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|New York City|Children's literature}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140209131532/http://www.queenslibrary.org/kids/discovery Children's Library Discovery Center] - Queens Library
{{Jamaica, Queens}}
{{Education in Queens}}
{{Libraries in New York City}}