Astoria Library
🏢 Queens Public Library · Astoria, Queens, New York
Astoria Library
Astoria's landmark Carnegie library since 1904 — the oldest branch in the Queens Public Library network — is temporarily closed for a $14 million renovation that will add an elevator, a new children's room, teen and adult reading spaces, and the borough's first 24/7 automated book return, with a full reopening expected Spring 2029.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed (renovation — reopening Spring 2029) |
| Tuesday | Closed (renovation — reopening Spring 2029) |
| Wednesday | Closed (renovation — reopening Spring 2029) |
| Thursday | Closed (renovation — reopening Spring 2029) |
| Friday | Closed (renovation — reopening Spring 2029) |
| Saturday | Closed (renovation — reopening Spring 2029) |
| Sunday | Closed (renovation — reopening Spring 2029) |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 14-01 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, NY 11102
Phone: (718) 278-2220
Website: queenslibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G8Q3CC+WG (Astoria, NY)
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Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
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📖 About Astoria Library
The Astoria Library at 14-01 Astoria Boulevard is Queens Public Library's oldest branch — and one of four Carnegie libraries still standing in the borough. Andrew Carnegie funded the building in 1903, with land purchased from Henrietta Stivers for $11,000 and construction costing $36,208; architects Tuthill & Higgins (also credited with Carnegie Hall) delivered a Flemish Revival building the following year featuring saffron Roman brick, a slate roof, an angled corner entrance with a curved stepped gable, twin chimneys, and stone plaques carved "PVBLIC" and "LIBRARY" flanking the door. The library opened in 1904 and has served Astoria continuously for 121 years. In the 1930s the Civil Works Administration squared off the original corner and widened the basement windows; in 1938 WPA artist Max Spivak painted two murals in the Children's Reading Room that will be carefully restored as part of the current project. In December 2025 Queens Public Library broke ground on a $14 million comprehensive renovation — the first to make the building fully ADA-accessible in its history — adding an elevator, stairway, dedicated children's room, adult and teen areas, a multi-purpose room, and a 24/7 automated exterior book return, while expanding the footprint from 8,400 to 9,500 square feet. The branch is expected to reopen in Spring 2029. In the meantime, QPL's Mobile Library stops outside the Astoria building every Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays).
⭐ What makes this library special
- Oldest branch in the Queens Public Library network — a Carnegie library designed by Tuthill & Higgins in Flemish Revival style and open continuously since 1904
- Two WPA-era murals by Long Island painter Max Spivak (1938) in the Children's Reading Room, to be fully restored as part of the $14 million renovation
- First time in its 121-year history the building will be fully ADA-accessible, including a new elevator and stairway connecting all floors
- $14 million renovation (groundbreaking Dec 2025) adds a dedicated children's room, adult & teen areas, multi-purpose room, and Queens' first 24/7 automated exterior book return
- QPL Mobile Library visits the Astoria location every Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (holidays excluded) while the branch is under renovation
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Queens library cardholders can stream, download and research free through QPL and New York State — available from any device while the Astoria branch is under renovation:
📚 Services
- Full circulating collection (books, large print, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines)
- Children's programming space (post-renovation, dedicated new room)
- Teen and adult reading areas (post-renovation, newly configured)
- Multi-purpose community room (post-renovation, new)
- 24/7 automated exterior book return (post-renovation, new — first in Queens)
- New elevator and full ADA-accessible entrance (post-renovation)
- Mobile Library stop at the Astoria location every Monday 10am–5pm during renovation
- Queens Public Library card valid at all QPL branches borough-wide
🎸 Programs
- Storytimes and early literacy programs for children
- After-school homework help
- Teen programming and activities
- Adult literacy and ESL programs
- Community events and cultural programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Queens
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Astoria Library closed, and when will it reopen?
Queens Public Library broke ground on a $14 million comprehensive renovation in December 2025. The project addresses the building's aging systems and, for the first time in the library's 121-year history, makes it fully ADA-accessible by adding an elevator and stairway connecting all floors. The renovation also creates a dedicated children's room, separate adult and teen areas, a new multi-purpose room, and Queens' first 24/7 automated exterior book return — while expanding the total footprint from 8,400 to 9,500 square feet. The branch is expected to reopen in Spring 2029. While the building is closed, QPL positions its Mobile Library outside the Astoria location every Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays), and all QPL digital resources remain fully accessible from home.
Is Astoria Library really a Carnegie library — and what makes the 1904 building special?
Yes. Astoria is one of four Carnegie libraries still standing in Queens and, according to Queens Public Library, is the oldest branch in the entire QPL network. Andrew Carnegie funded construction in 1903; architects Tuthill & Higgins (the same firm associated with Carnegie Hall) designed the building in Flemish Revival style using saffron Roman brick with a slate roof. The original entrance featured a distinctive angled corner with a curved stepped gable flanked by twin chimneys, and stone plaques carved with the Latin spelling "PVBLIC" and "LIBRARY." Civil Works Administration workers modified the corner in the 1930s, and in 1938 WPA artist Max Spivak painted two murals in the Children's Reading Room — both of which are being carefully restored in the current renovation.
Where is the nearest open Queens Public Library branch while Astoria is under renovation?
The closest open QPL branches to the Astoria location are Long Island City Library (37-44 21 Street, about 2.4 miles) and Hunters Point Library (47-40 Center Boulevard, also about 2.4 miles). Jackson Heights Library (35-51 81st Street) is roughly 2.7 miles away. All QPL branches are open to any Queens library cardholder. You can also reach QPL's full digital collection — Libby eBooks, hoopla, and NOVELny statewide databases — from home without visiting in person.
What is NOVELny, and can Astoria residents use it while the branch is closed?
NOVELny (New York Online Virtual Electronic Library) is a statewide program funded by the New York State Library that gives every New York resident free access to hundreds of research databases — including newspaper archives, academic journals, genealogy records, and consumer health references — at novelnewyork.org. No library card is required; any New York resident can log in. Queens cardholders can access additional digital resources, including Libby eBooks and hoopla streaming, directly through the Queens Public Library website at queenslibrary.org.
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