Morningside Heights Branch Information

Branch History

The Morningside Heights Branch of The New York Public Library is located on Broadway at the corner of 113th Street. The present building, opened in 2001, also includes a Columbia University dorm and a retail shop. The building was designed by Robert A. M. Stern architects and incorporates modern technology in a traditional library setting. Formerly known as the Columbia Branch, the library has been serving the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan since 1914 when it opened in Columbia University's Low Library as a recreational collection for students and faculty. When the new Butler Library opened in 1937 it included a room designed for the Columbia Branch. In 1996, the branch moved to a temporary location on 113th Street to accommodate renovations at Butler Library.

Collections & Services

  • Book collections for adults, young adults, and children available for borrowing and use in the library
  • Videos, books on tape, and CDs for all ages
  • Lifelong Learning collection for adult new readers of English
  • Large Print collection
  • Community Information collection
  • Internet access for free public use by appointment (list of Internet Training Workshops)
  • ClickOn @ the library computer training site

Programs

  • Films, story hours, and reading-aloud programs for children
  • Puppet shows, crafts, music programs, and other special events for children
  • Author readings, lectures, workshops, music, poetry and theater programs for adults
  • Class visits by appointment

Other Neighborhood Branches

Area Branches Library Centers
115th Street
Bloomingdale
George Bruce
St. Agnes
Donnell Library Center
Mid-Manhattan Library

Community Information

Basic community services are listed below. For other local agencies, see The New York Public Library's Directory of Community Services.
Community Board
Community Board # 9 1990 and 2000 Demographic Statistics
Elected Officials - Local
NYC Council
District # 9
NYS Assembly
District # 69
NYS Senate
District # 30
U.S. Congress
District # 15
Fire and Police Departments
Fire:
Engine 47
502 West 113th Street (Amsterdam Avenue-Broadway) 10025
Police:
26th Precinct
520 West 126th Street 10027
212-678-1311
Local Hospitals:
St. Luke's - Roosevelt Hospital Center
St. Luke's Division
1111 Amsterdam Avenue 10025
212-523-4000
Parks and Playgrounds:
Morningside Park
West 123rd Street-Cathedral Parkway, Morningside Drive-Morningside Avenue

West 113th Street Play Garden
West 113th Street, Amsterdam Avenue-Broadway

Riverside Park
West 72nd-125th Streets, Riverside Drive-
Hudson River
Post Office:
Columbia University Station
535 West 112th Street 10025
212-864-1874
Schools:
Public  (Community School Board Districts list)
Elementary School:
PS 165 - Robert E. Simon School (K-5)
234 West 109th Street 10025
212-678-2873
Region 10, District 3
Other Elementary Schools in Region 10, District 3
Intermediate Schools:
Mott Hall II School (6-8)
234 West 109th Street 10025
212-678-2960
Region 10, District 3

MS 246M - Crossroads School (6-8)
234 West 109th Street 10025
212-678-5850
Region 10, District 3
MS 258 - Community Action School (6-8)
154 West 93rd Street 10025
212-678-5888
Region 10, District 3
Other Intermediate Schools in Region 10, District 3

High Schools in Region 10, District 3
Other Schools/Programs:
Alternative Programs in Manhattan

Charter Schools in Manhattan

Special Education Programs in Manhattan
Private/Parochial
Elementary/Intermediate Schools:
Bank Street School for Children (Pre K-8)
610 West 112th Street 10025
212-875-4420/4433

Cathedral School (K-8)
1047 Amsterdam Avenue 10025
212-316-7500
Corpus Christi School (Pre K-8)
535 West 121st Street 10027
212-662-9344
St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's School (Pre K-8)
619 West 114th Street 10025
212-932-1980
The School at Columbia University (K-4 currently, K-8 planned)
556 West 110th Street 10025
212-851-4215
Jewish Schools in Manhattan (Lookstein Center for Jewish Education in the Diaspora)

Parochial Schools in Manhattan (Archdiocese of New York)

Private Schools in Manhattan (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York)
Colleges:
Bank Street College of Education
610 West 112th Street 10025
212-875-4400

Barnard College
3009 Broadway 10027
212-854-5262
Columbia University
600 West 116th Street 10025
212-854-1754
Columbia University Teacher's College
525 West 120th Street 10027
212-678-3000
Union Theological Seminary
3041 Broadway 10027
212-662-7100