The literacy crisis goes local: on Monday, local real estate agent Amy Ericson posted a video claiming the Ridgewood Public Library (20-12 Madison St.) is set to close for two years, sometime later next year.

Per the Queens Public Library, the renovation is being led by the city’s Department of Design and Construction, which said in a statement that they are “overseeing a renovation project… to address water infiltration issues at the Ridgewood Library.” Renovations include masonry repair and “repointing the building’s terra cotta and brick façade.”

“Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2027,” DDC said. They did not verify how long construction would keep the library closed. If construction does last for two years, the library would mark its centennial (it opened in 1929) while closed.

Earlier this year, the Brooklyn Public Library’s Bushwick branch (340 Bushwick Ave.) closed for renovations. In response, the Brooklyn library started up putting up a “bookmobile,” stationed outside a local pharmacy, kept open for a handful of days during the year.

The Queens Public Library, which is operated by a different library system than the Brooklyn Public Library, did not immediately indicate its plans to provide anything like that, or anything else.

Online, one Ridgewood local, with the Twitter username “the human sadiepede 2,” told me they wanted to see the Queens Public Library open “a satellite location for the Ridgewood Library,” after the Ridgewood branch temporally closes late next year.

“The next closest library is Brooklyn Library’s DeKalb location, a 35-minute walk from most Ridgewood residents,” added the human sadiepede 2. (The closest Queens branch is located in Glendale (78-60 73rd Pl.), further down on Myrtle Avenue, about a 20-30 minute walk, depending on how tall you are.)

“No, they will not necessarily move programming to a different branch,” added a longtime volunteer who works at the Ridgewood branch. “QPL might host an event at alternate site once in a while, like a school or something, but nothing concrete has been planned yet, but I think thats because all the details are still being worked out.”

Citywide, the library system has faced multiple, unrelated, budget cuts from former Mayor Eric Adams and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the latter of whom later reversed course by permanently funding the library system in May. Queens has six libraries currently closed for renovation or construction, while Brooklyn has 11 libraries (including the Bushwick branch) closed for renovations.

“I urge all residents to write to [District 30 Council Member] Phil Wong and our other city officials to add pressure as libraries are much more than places to check out books—they also provide vital community care,” added the human sadiepede 2.

The office of Council Member Wong, whose district includes the library, did not respond to a request for comment.

This story will be updated with any new comments from public officials.