QPL program highlights the importance of kindness

Queens Public Library is launching an initiative to promote kindness. Eagle file photo by Marble Fairbanks

By Rachel Vick

Queens Public Library is gearing up for the season of giving with the relaunch of an annual program highlighting the importance of caring for others.

The seven-week-long “It’s Time to Be Kind” began for the fourth year on Monday to encourage the borough’s residents to take on everyday acts of kindness with giveaways, performances and interactive programs across branches.

“The goal of ‘It’s Time for Kind’ is to inspire our customers to highlight and demonstrate acts of caring and consideration for others as they go about their daily lives, and to support our communities as they continue to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vice President of Programs and Services Sharon Myrie.

Programs this week include a children’s scavenger hunt at the East Flushing branch on Wednesday and a virtual poetry reading on Friday featuring Queens Poet Laureate and Academy of American Poet Laureate Fellow Maria Lisella and members of Thursday Morning Poets.

Queens Memory is hosting two webinars — one on Thursday night and a second on Friday afternoon — on how to record, share and archive virtual conversations with family members.

Alongside holiday programs in December, the Broadway, Cambria Heights, Central, Far Rockaway, Glen Oaks, Peninsula and Ridgewood branches will serve as drop off sites for food donations that will be distributed among local pantries.

Packages available at all branches for the program’s duration will include items like coloring pages and a booklet for writing notes of appreciation to those who make life a little better.

A full schedule of events and a curated book list are available online.