Sitting next to a pile of books, Michael Chen, 11, glances at the one heâÂÂs currently reading. He puts it down, then picks up another. In a short while, he finishes reading all the books in his stack and jumps up to take more off the shelves. He enjoys reading, and frequently comes to the library with his mother. However, the number of new books that he has to choose from is dwindling.
This summer, Chen and his mother have had to go to the Elmhurst LibraryâÂÂs temporary location, a much smaller library than the neighborhoodâÂÂs permanent one. The permanent library building is undergoing major renovations so that the facility will be larger, with more books and computers. While the project will ultimately bring improvements to the Elmhurst Library, some residents say the construction is an inconvenience.
“I love the library, but I want the library to be done now,” said Chen. “I need more books.”
Others share the same view.
“I spend a lot of my time at the library,” Amelia Lin, 13, said. “When it is larger, I will be able to stay at the library longer because I can look at all the books. But I will have to wait.”
However, there are some residents who seem more opposed to the construction.
“I have to walk more to get to the temporary location,” said Kong Min Wong, 56. “I don’t like it.”
The temporary location, which is at 85-08 51st Ave., is a block further from the construction site of the former library, which is located on 86-01 Broadway.
The project began in November 2011, according to the Queens Ledger. The Elmhurst Library was demolished so that a larger one could be built. The new $27.8 million library will be completed in 2014 and its size, 30,000 square feet, will be twice the former libraryâÂÂs size.
Stalco, the construction company that is building the new library, says the new building will feature “a steel frame structural system and terracotta-clad façade.” There will also be a teen space, a children’s library, an adult learning center and many other new designs, according to Stalco.
“I can’t wait for the new library,” Chen said. “I really want to go there.”