New York City Council Member Ruben Wills; New York State Assembly Member Vivian Cook; Borough President Helen Marshall; Queens Library President & CEO Thomas W. Galante; the Friends of the Rochdale Village Adult Learning Center and members of the community ceremonially kicked off the expansion of the Adult Learning Center at Rochdale Village on March 9. The J-CAP choir entertained.

The Adult Learning Center at Queens Library at Rochdale Village will be expanded to more than double the existing space. The Adult Learning Center, one of seven that are part of the Queens Library system, serves hundreds of adult students every year. They are adults who are learning to read, or who are learning to read, write and converse in English, as well as students who are taking pre-GED classes. The $4.1 million expansion/renovation will include expanded classroom space, more computers and listening stations, more study/conversation group space and a new handicapped-accessible restroom. It is being built on adjacent vacant City-owned property of which the library already had use. The roof and HVAC and fire protection equipment will also be replaced and self service check-in technology will be installed.

Council Member Ruben Wills said, "The new Adult Learning Center will provide expanded opportunities for adults continuing education and older citizens re-entering the workforce. I am pleased to be a part this expansion project and would like to commend the Queens Library for their leadership on this."

"I am pleased to support and help secure funding for the Rochdale Village Adult Learning Center.  The Adult Learning Center is vital to the adults in our community who want to learn how to read, write, use the computer, and much more.  This expansion is great news for the residents of Southeast Queens and I look forward to its doors opening in the fall of 2013," said Assembly Member Vivian Cook.

Borough President Helen Marshall remarked: "The expanded Adult Learning Center at Rochdale Village is a solid investment in the future. When finished, it will be a practical resource for users who want to explore the programs and services it offers to enhance opportunities and career paths in a comfortable, up-to-date modern facility. My office was happy to work with elected officials, the community and the Friends of the Center, and to provide a half-million dollars in funding to support this much-needed expansion."

During the construction, the adjacent full-service library will continue its normal operations. The Adult Learning Center will continue to serve the community by holding sessions in the libraries at Rochdale Village and Laurelton. The expanded Adult Learning Center is expected to open for public service in the fall of 2013.

Queens Library joins the community in thanking Borough President Helen M. Marshall; New York State Assembly Member Vivian Cook; Council Member Ruben Wills; Queens Delegation to the New York City Council for funding improvements to the Rochdale Village Adult Learning Center.

Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library. Queens Library serves a population of 2.3 million in one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the U.S. and has among the highest circulations of any public library system in the world. For more information about programs, services, locations, events and news, visit the Queens Library web site at www.queenslibrary.org or phone 718-990-0700.