We’re approaching our 60th deployment of the Uni reading room since launching in 2011. We plan to hit 120 in 2014, and our goal is ambitious: serve every community that invites the Uni and have zero declines due to scheduling conflicts. The next step is clear: the Uni needs to be capable of serving multiple neighborhoods at once.
This weekend, we took a major step in that direction. Saturday morning, the Uni divided itself “in two” (structure, staff, collection, benches, bookmarks, everything), and we served the neighborhoods of Corona and Ozone Park simultaneously. (Note: this feat required only a single truck—efficiencies of scale kick in rapidly.)
We could not have done it without veteran librarians, Stephanie Yee and Emily Jacobson, on Corona Plaza. Surrounded by a hectic market, smoke from food vendors, and a Dia de los Muertos celebration, Stephanie and Emily managed the Uni beautifully and even took photos for the blog. Thanks also to our host, Queens Museum.