Verizon Steps Up With $25K Tech Grant to Queens Library

Verizon has provided a $25,000 grant to the Queens Library Foundation to underwrite its youth employees and science and technology programs for children at Queens Library.

Verizon has been a longtime supporter of the library, donating more than $270,000 since 1992. June Jee, director of government and external affairs for the Verizon Foundation, presented the check last week.

Verizon's grant supports the Library's hiring of young people to work on its Discovery Team project, and serves the dual purpose of providing local youth with resume-worthy jobs, and providing technology education to the youngest library customers. Discovery Team members plan and conduct programs for the popular Saturday Science Club at Central Library, as well as many other science-related programs during the week.

Verizon also plans to underwrite some of the programs in the Children's Library Discovery Center, scheduled to open in spring of 2011.

"We are delighted with Verizon's support of our Discovery Team. With this grant, young people will learn specialized technology skills and provide computer assistance and technology guidance to children visiting our newest library — the Children's Library Discovery Center. From smart boards to robotics, from digital storytelling to games, Verizon's support will enable Discovery Team members to open the world of learning through technology to hundreds of young people every year," said Diana Chapin, executive director of the Queens Library Foundation.

"The Queens Library has always been ahead of the curve in adopting new technologies to enhance our children's learning," said June Jee, Verizon director of community and external affairs in Queens.  "It's very rewarding for Verizon to partner  — for almost 20-years — with the Queens Library to bring new applications and technologies to the borough's residents and students."

Queens Library serves a population of 2.3 million in the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S. With 23 million items in circulation for fiscal year 2010, the Library has among the highest circulations of any public library system in the world. For more information about programs, services, locations, events and news, visit www.queenslibrary.org or call 718-990-0700.