Episode Two: Queens Library—The Public Library Innovations that Created an Even More Essential Service for the Community During the Pandemic and Beyond

 
The Queens Public Library is a library system that includes a digital and written collection with sources of information in over 200 languages, provides free classes and workshops each year at 65 locations across 178 square miles, and welcomes more than 11,400,000 visitors through its doors with 940,000 active cardholders. When the pandemic hit in 2020, this sizeable, mission driven organization had to pivot in ways it never imagined, overcoming challenges to remain a vital component of a community that relies on its programs and services.

This second DistruptED Public Library Edition episode is devoted to the Queens Public Library’s mission to bring essential services to the Queens, NY community, Ron J. Stefanski continued his conversation with Queens Public Library’s Chief Librarian, Nick Buron. Stefanski and Buron detail how Queens Library overcame myriad challenges during the pandemic to pivot its services and become more vital than ever.

“I say this often: the health and wellness of our staff is the first priority,” Buron said. “Because if we don’t care for our staff, we can’t look out for other people.” “We can’t build from there.”

Stefanski and Buron discuss…

● Continuing staff growth and development during and after the pandemic

● Retaining employees during a period of intense burnout

● The competitive challenges of public-funded, mission-driven organizations vs. the
private sector

“In sectors that are mission-driven, like education, healthcare, and libraries, it’s really hard for us to compete with the private sector when it comes to salaries,” Buron said. “That’s a whole conversation about what you have to sacrifice to work for a mission-driven organization that serves the public good.”

Nick Buron had devoted his entire professional career to New York libraries, including the past 6+ years as Chief Librarian for Queens Library. As Chief Librarian, Buron oversees public library service at each of the library’s 66 locations. He leads a 700-person team responsible for the library’s collections, programming, outreach, and customer experience. Buron, a Queens, NY native, earned his Master of Library Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Tokyo World Tour
Tokyo World Tour Highlights Coupa’s Role in the Next Era of Business Transformation
September 11, 2025

At a time when organizations face mounting pressure to balance efficiency with sustainability, Coupa’s Tokyo World Tour highlighted how technology is reshaping the very core of corporate strategy. By putting AI and future-ready spending models at the forefront, the event underscored a shift away from traditional cost-cutting toward intelligent, value-driven growth. In bringing together expert…

Read More
Coupa’s Sydney World Tour
Building Community and Showcasing Innovation at Coupa’s Sydney World Tour
September 11, 2025

Coupa’s Sydney World Tour showcased more than just product updates—it revealed the power of community. Attendees from across Australia and New Zealand came together not only to explore Coupa’s latest AI-driven features but also to trade strategies for tackling shared supply chain challenges. Beyond the keynotes and customer spotlights, the event’s heartbeat was in the…

Read More
reviews
The New Freight Standard: Why Verified Trucking Reviews Matter in Modern Supply Chains
September 11, 2025

For decades, the freight industry has leaned heavily on compliance data and opaque reputation systems, leaving carriers, brokers, and shippers with little visibility into actual service quality. Reviews often sat behind paywalls, skewed negative, or lacked validation altogether, making it difficult to separate reliable partners from unreliable ones. Today, the vast majority of trucking remains…

Read More
Culture
Culture as a Growth Engine: How People-First Values Create Long-Term Success in a Tech-Driven Age
September 10, 2025

Companies everywhere are racing to integrate AI and automation into their operations—but what happens when technology threatens the very people who power the business? A recent Mercer study found that while executives see AI as a major driver of productivity, many admit their organizations are struggling to keep their workforce prepared for the pace of…

Read More