Elmhurst Library
🏢 Queens Public Library · Elmhurst, Queens, New York
Elmhurst Library
The busiest branch in Queens Public Library's 64-branch network, Elmhurst Library anchors one of New York City's most linguistically diverse corners — more than 80,000 visitors speaking 57 home languages — inside a striking 32,000-square-foot building whose Broadway Cube is lined with salvaged bricks from the original 1906 Carnegie library it replaced.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 1pm–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 86-07 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Phone: (718) 271-1020
Website: queenslibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G8P4QF+C7 (Elmhurst, NY)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Elmhurst Library
Elmhurst Library is part of the Queens Public Library system and stands on the site of a 1906 Andrew Carnegie branch designed by Lord & Hewlett — one of 39 city branches funded by Carnegie — that served the Elmhurst community for more than a century before its demolition in 2012. The current four-story building, opened December 20, 2016, was designed by Marpillero Pollak Architects through the NYC Department of Design and Construction's Design Excellence program at a cost of $32.4 million. Its terra-cotta rainscreen facade is anchored by two double-height glass cubes; the Broadway Cube incorporates salvaged brick from the Carnegie structure and displays a large installation of 955 solid elm-wood "Shapes" by artist Allan McCollum, created through the NYC Percent for Art program. The branch houses a full Adult Learning Center offering ESOL and pre-HSE courses, free public computers, extended Wi-Fi coverage that reaches 450 feet beyond the building, and a 24/7 material drop-off slot. With a projected annual circulation of more than 1.2 million items, it ranks as the highest-traffic branch in the Queens Public Library network, reflecting the extraordinary multilingual character of the surrounding neighborhood.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened December 20, 2016 — 32,000 sq ft, four-story Design Excellence building by Marpillero Pollak Architects replacing the 1906 Carnegie branch
- Broadway Cube facade incorporates bricks salvaged from the original Carnegie building and Allan McCollum's 955 elm-wood Shapes (NYC Percent for Art)
- Queens Public Library's busiest branch: 80,000+ annual visitors speaking 57 languages, projected 1.2 million+ annual circulations
- On-site Adult Learning Center with ESOL classes, Pre-HSE (TASC) prep and social services assistance
- Extended Wi-Fi accessible within 450 feet outside the building 24/7, plus remote printing and a round-the-clock material drop-off
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Elmhurst cardholders can borrow, stream and research free through Queens Public Library's digital platforms and New York's statewide collections:
📚 Services
- Free public computers and printing
- Extended Wi-Fi coverage 450 feet outside the building, 24/7
- 24/7 materials drop-off slot
- Adult Learning Center (ESOL, Pre-HSE/TASC prep, social services)
- Remote printing service
- Wheelchair-accessible building
- Interlibrary loan
🎸 Programs
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes
- Pre-HSE (TASC) preparation courses
- Children's and teen programs
- Adult literacy and continuing education
- Community events and cultural programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in Queens
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the original Elmhurst Carnegie Library?
The original Elmhurst branch opened on March 31, 1906, funded by Andrew Carnegie and designed by Lord & Hewlett in a Georgian Revival style with orange Flemish-bond brick. It was one of 39 Carnegie-funded branches across New York City. After more than a century of service it was demolished in 2012, but the architects of the new building salvaged its bricks to line the signature Broadway Cube — so a piece of the Carnegie structure is literally embedded in the facade you see today.
What is the elm-wood installation visible through the Broadway Cube windows?
The installation is "Shapes" (2016) by New York artist Allan McCollum — 955 individual pieces cut from solid elm wood, each with a unique silhouette generated through a custom software process. It was commissioned through the NYC Percent for Art program, which requires that a percentage of the construction budget of city-funded buildings go toward permanent public art. The elm wood is also a nod to the neighborhood's name, derived from elm trees that once lined the streets.
Does Elmhurst Library have an Adult Learning Center, and how do I enroll?
Yes. The Elmhurst Adult Learning Center, co-located in the building at 86-07 Broadway, offers free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses and Pre-HSE preparation (for the TASC high-school equivalency exam), along with social services assistance. To enroll, submit an inquiry form — available in English, Spanish or Chinese — via the Queens Library website at queenslibrary.org or email elmhurstalc@queenslibrary.org. Walk-in appointments are also available on select days.
What are the library's hours, and when is it open latest?
The library is open Tuesday 1–6 pm, Wednesday 10 am–6 pm, Thursday 12–8 pm (the latest day), and Friday 10 am–6 pm. It is closed Monday, Saturday and Sunday. The 24/7 book-drop at the entrance is available around the clock for returns, and the outdoor Wi-Fi signal extends up to 450 feet from the building even when the branch is closed.
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