Computer Mogul Funds Queens Library

The Queens Borough (NY) Public Library (QBPL) will receive a $500,000 grant to create the Mary Wang Center for Children's Programs, thanks to Wang's son, Charles B. Wang, the chairman of New York-based software manager, Computer Associates. The center, named after one of the library's own, will enable QBPL to provide a range of children's services, including after-school programs and a new Young Adult Cyber Center in the Bayside Branch. Wang Center funds will also support cultural arts programs and help purchase library materials.

Given Queen's large immigrant Chinese population, parenting classes and other programs intended to encourage bilingual literacy will be held in Chinese at three branches.

Mary Wang joined the Queens Library staff in 1953, serving local readers for 25 years. She became one of the first library branch managers, holding that post at six branches. Now retired, Wang says, "Literacy and reading have always been very important values to me.... I am honored that this Center will work toward that end, and particularly in Queens, where my family was reared and where my professional life was spent."

Although Queens leads the nation's libraries in total circulation, the 63-branch system has suffered funding cuts following the September 11 terrorist attacks (News, January 2002 ). Now, with the extra grant money in hand, the Teen Net Mentors program—where youngsters provide computer assistance to library patrons—has been restored at four branches. "We're always glad to have grants," says QBPL spokesperson Joanne King. "But this one comes at a particularly opportune time."