Posted on September 9, 2007

New York, NY — Queens Library Foundation is delighted to announce the most recent gift of our generous long term supporter, The Starr Foundation. The Starr Foundation has made an outstanding gift of $500,000 to the Foundation. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars will support Library programs in the upcoming fiscal year such as the Adult Learner Program, the largest library-based literacy program in the country, and BOOST, the program that provides after-school educational and cultural enrichment and summer reading experiences for school-aged children.

With the second half of its gift, The Starr Foundation has chosen to fund one of the wonderful opportunities for children that will shape the Children’s Library Discovery Center (CLDC), scheduled to open in 2009 at the Central Library in Jamaica. By making a naming gift to the CLDC, The Starr Foundation has chosen to be an important partner in helping the Library create what is certain to be a popular destination where children will learn in new ways and find exciting gateways to the world around them.

The Children’s Library Discovery Center will be a dynamic setting for children and families, combining education, information, participation and a whole lot of fun. Interactive learning experiences, designed with the San Francisco Exploratorium, will help children learn about the earth, the sky and space, and living things from cells to dinosaurs. The plan for the CLDC includes: The Gateway, an inviting entrance to the Center; Geography Plaza, encompassing scientific exhibits and artwork about our world; AlphaSpace, an early-childhood area; and Dewey Lane, where the Library’s children’s collections and resources will be found.

We hope other foundations and individuals will decide to follow the generous leadership of The Starr Foundation and join with us to create a brighter future for Queens children and families by enhancing this wonderful new resource.

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