Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Hillcrest Library.
BY DAN MILLER

Photo Dan Miller Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Hillcrest Library.

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall joined by Queens Library Executive Director Thomas W. Galante, Councilmember James Gennaro, 107th Police Precinct Commander Captain Stephen Cirabisi, and students from P.S. 173 Fresh Meadows cut the ribbon reopening the Hillcrest Branch of the Queens Library, located at 188th Street and Union Turnpike recently.

Galante said, "Today we get together to join in the celebration of the Queens Library continued dedication to providing the highest services to our customers." Also joining in the ceremony was Martha Taylor, a member of the library board who was representing NYC Comptroller William Thompson, Jr's office. Pointing out that this was the 15th or 16th ribbon cutting and with about 50 more to go, Galante continued, "The new features at Hillcrest include new technology capabilities for all of our customers. It's not about technology. It is all about us finding ways to enhance service by having our staff provide more on-the-floor, individualized service. Jim was the first councilman to get the funding to begin the renovations. Councilman Jim Gennaro has supplied more than $1.1 million dollars in support for the Queens Library for the 85,000 constants who live near Hillcrest," said Galante.

Cirabisi offered, "I worked in a lot of other boroughs and this is the most community minded communities I have seen. It is a great place for the youth of the community. This is a great safe haven for the youth to come." He offered to have his youth officer visit the library and help provide programs that the police department sponsors for young people.

Marshall received a special thanks and greeting from the audience that included members of the Queens library board as well as library volunteers and library users. Marshall indicated that her office has supported the library system since her election as borough president and her love for libraries long before that. She began her own participation in the Queens Library when she served as the first director of the library board of the Langston Hughes Community Library in Corona before running for elected office.

P.S. 173 Parent Coordinator D'lloyda Millan, whose students gave a ballroom dancing demonstration said, "The children at P.S. 173 have been learning how to do ballroom dancing from "Dancing Classroom," a Manhattan organization since October. It is a 10-week course for the entire fourth grade." She added, "It's been a fun experience for both the children and their parents." The children performed a meringue; the rumba, the tango and American swing dances.