The Queens Public Library (QPL) received two grants totaling $35,000 from National Grid’s Social Impact team to support the library’s STEAM Club and Queens Connected: Bridging the Digital Divide program, inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers and providing internet hotspots for underserved communities to have access to online job and educational opportunities.

“National Grid is proud to partner with Queens Public Library on these important initiatives, which is core to our commitment of supporting local communities and workforce development,” said Mauri Myers-Solages, Corporate Citizenship Manager.

The STEAM Club is geared toward students in grades two through five and designed to engage students in real-world projects to build an understanding of basic architectural and city planning concepts, including how to develop energy-efficient communities.

In a recent STEAM Club event, Sarah Burns, a former National Grid employee, read from her own published book, A Look Into Tomorrow, which introduces climate change and its solutions to young children and invited participants of the story time to draw what they thought an ideal world would look like if everyone were environmentally conscious. In addition to the grant, National Grid donated 100 copies of A Look Into Tomorrow for the participants of both the Spring and Fall cohorts of the STEAM Club.

“The Queens Public Library was thrilled to virtually host Sarah Burns as a volunteer story time and activity leader for participants of the Spring cohort of Queens Public Library’s STEAM Club, sponsored by National Grid”, said Tabetha Karydas, Senior Development Associate of the Queens Public Library Foundation. ‘This “National Grid Day’ event rounded out a six-week series which engaged 52 students. We are looking forward to hosting National Grid again in the fall.”

Library patrons are able to check out a mobile hotspot through the Queens Connected: Bridging the Digital Divide program.  The devices provide a pathway for local residents who need internet access to work remotely, look for online job opportunities, remote learning and other essential services. For the younger patrons, these hotspots help them keep up with homework assignments and connect to virtual afterschool programs.

“Through National Grid’s generous support and the support of other organizations and government agencies, our Queens Connected Campaign has so far raised funds to purchase 2,362 hotspots that have been distributed across 25 branches as of June 2022,” said Tabetha Karydas, Senior Development Associate of the Queens Public Library Foundation. “We will continue to fundraise for more hotspots to help bridge the digital divide in Queens and look forward to our continued partnership with National Grid.”

(Juan Santiago, National Grid Customer and Community Manager and Tabetha Karydas, Senior Development Associate of the Queens Public Library Foundation holding mobile hotspot device.)

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