Vote For Astoria, LIC Libraries In NYC Display Contest

ASTORIA-LONG ISLAND CITY, NY — The Astoria and Long Island City branches of the Queens Public Library have entered a citywide book display contest — and New Yorkers will have a say in the winner.

Over 130 library branches across the city's three systems have entered the contest, which is hosted by Culture Pass, an initiative that gives library cardholders access to cultural institutions.

The public can view and vote for the displays here through Nov. 12, at which point those with the most votes will move to a final round of judging, organizers said.

Judges will select first place and runner-up winners for each library system — the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library and the Queens Public Library — and an overall best-of-show display, organizers said.

In its display, the Astoria library paid homage to its neighborhood's status as a "cultural hot spot for the arts."

"In the early days of the moving image, before decamping for Hollywood, Astoria was a film studio town. Today, movie and television production still film here. And with its proximity to Broadway, and New York's epic theater scene, Astoria is a place for those dreams can start to be made, and thrive," the library's staff wrote. "At QPL Astoria, 'Arts & Culture' means honoring Astoria's legacy and providing the place and the space for those who aspire to be a part of the legacy."

Meanwhile, the Long Island City branch created a miniature version of 21st Street and Vernon Boulevard; streets staff called "the main arteries that run through the heart of Long Island City."

"Scanning the QR code inside each building takes you to their respective websites to explore further," library staff wrote. "These cultural institutions, MoMA PS1, Queens Public Library at Long Island City, and The Noguchi Museum bring the neighborhood closer together just as the Culture Pass brings people closer to arts and culture."

The judging panel includes New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals, Artist and Founder of The Free Black Women's Library Ola RonkeAkinmowo, Children's Book Author and Illustrator Pat Cummings, Charles H. Revson Foundation President Julie Sandorf, and Improv Everywhere Founder Charlie Todd.