Staff Shortage Prompts Day-Long Closure At Rego Park Library

REGO PARK, QUEENS — Central Queens library-goers weren't able to borrow books or use computers at the Rego Park library on Monday, since the branch was closed due to staff shortages.

Neighbors initially thought that the closure was COVID related, a situation that's become more common across local agencies and businesses as coronavirus cases skyrocket citywide.

A Queens Public Library spokesperson, however, told Patch that the one-day staff shortage was not COVID-related, and the branch, located at 91-41 63rd Drive, reopened its doors on Tuesday.

When QPL branches close after a staff member tests positive, which has happened more recently as of late, the library updates neighbors on social media, the spokesperson said.

The Hillcrest branch in Flushing, for instance, closed on Monday after a staff member tested positive for COVID, but reopened for regular service a day later after taking safety precautions.

QPL shut down at the onset of the pandemic, but gradually reopened for grab-and-go service during the summer of 2020.

Many branches reopened with expanded services last summer, but the QPL spokesperson told Patch that some indoor services — like impromptu indoor book readings with children — are suspended at least through January.

QPL librarygoers can stay up-to-date on branch closures by following the library system on Twitter or checking its online COVID updates.