Color-themed clothes, family-friendly projects, giveaways, scavenger hunts, easy access to the most popular reads and more were just a few ways that the Queens Public Library celebrated its 130th anniversary March 19.

“For 130 years, our libraries have opened doors to opportunity for the people of Queens,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis Walcott via email to the Chronicle. “Growing from one location in Long Island City to 66 branches across the borough, we have continually evolved, expanding beyond books and beyond our walls to offer everything from children’s storytimes and [English for Speakers of Other Languages] classes for new Americans to free Wi-Fi, computer access, job skills workshops, and other essential services that meet the changing needs of our diverse communities.”

To highlight its rich collection, the QPL provided instant access to its most frequently checked-out e-book titles and series through the Libby app and OverDrive platform. 

The app allows people free e-books, audiobooks and more. OverDrive is a distributor of e-books, audiobooks and online magazines. 

Readers can check out the books at queenslibrary.overdrive.com and libbyapp.com/library/queenslibrary.

The library system said some of its most popular books include “Katabasis” by R. F. Kuang, “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins, “The Astral Library” by Kate Quinn, “We Are All Guilty Here” by Karin Slaughter, “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore, “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver, “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt, “James” by Percival Everett and “Kin” by Tayari Jones.

The other books included Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series that includes “Heated Rivalry,” a gay hockey romance which was adapted for HBO Max in 2025 and became a sensation for the streamer; and Maggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet,” a fictional account of William Shakespeare’s family and how the author and his wife dealt with the tragic death of their son Hamnet. The latter story was adapted for the silver screen by critically acclaimed director Chloé Zhao and stars Paul Mescal as Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife. Buckley won the Oscar for Best Lead Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards. 

Some of the trending children’s and teens titles include “Dog Man: Big Jim Believes” by Dav Pilkey and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypoopers” by Jeff Kinney.

Other popular books include “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins, which is a prequel to her “Hunger Games” series, and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah Maas. The latter book had a canceled TV adaptation on Hulu, as the author wanted more creative control. However, she will be releasing a sixth book installment to her fantasy series on Oct. 27 and a seventh on Jan. 12, 2027, as she works to bring her books to the small screen. The former will have a movie adaptation on Nov. 20.

The books had more than 3,000 holds combined prior to the launch of the campaign on March 19, said a QPL spokeswoman. 

One key library initiative was a scavenger hunt, which was launched last Thursday. The challenge was for patrons to explore every QPL location during the library network’s release of its trading cards that highlight a unique feature of each branch, said the library spokeswoman. The hunt started with 20 cards, and additional sets will be released during National Library Week in April. 

Auburndale Library organized a birthday card writing activity for teens and adults, while some branches created special displays and staff throughout the system wore purple, the QPL’s signature color, last Thursday. 

North Hills Library in Douglaston offered grab-and-go bags with crafts and small giveaways on March 20. 

There is a digital celebration at the Queens Memory Project’s Name Explorer website, which features curated collections highlighting places named after individuals who have contributed to the QPL and its communities, said the spokeswoman. Queens Memory is the QPL’s community archiving program, which can be found here: nameexplorer.urbanarchive.org/pr/nameexplorer.

During Central Library’s 60th anniversary on April 20, it will host an in-person recording station inviting community members to share their experiences with the library and the QPL more broadly, while it also collects “QPL Stories” via an online form at

shorturl.at/RsofO.

The QPL Foundation is also holding a challenge to recruit 130 monthly donors in honor of the anniversary. 

Flushing Library hosts the QPL’s next major event, titled “A Legacy of Learning: The Life and Impact of Mary Shaw.” Shaw was an activist, philanthropist and school principal who lived in Flushing in the mid-to-late 19th century, who upon her death in 1905, bequeathed $1,000 to purchase books for the Flushing Free Library, now part of the QPL. The talk will highlight her contributions to the vibrant Black free settlement.

The QPL’s Long Island City Public Library was founded March 19, 1896, via the New York State Board of Regents, the agency that supervises all educational activities within the state. The Nelson Branch in Hunters Point opened its doors on Aug. 3 that year. The Steinway Free Circulating Library became QPL’s second branch later that year and was founded by William Steinway, the son of Henry Steinway, who established the prestigious Steinway & Sons piano company. A third branch opened at a rental storefront on Fulton Avenue in Astoria in February 1898. Renovations started at the library in December, along with one of the system’s Carnegie libraries. 

Today, the QPL is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the country.