To view your library's hours and locations, click the map.

Columbus Branch Information

Branch History

The Columbus Branch of The New York Public Library has been a center for education in the multi-ethnic, working-class neighborhood of Clinton since the branch opened in 1909. It is one of 65 libraries built in the early twentieth century with funds contributed by Andrew Carnegie. The nucleus of the collection came from the reading room of the Columbus Catholic Club, a social and educational club for young men. In 1901, the club's library was incorporated into the Cathedral Free Circulating Library, and in 1905, as the city's library movement developed, it became part of The New York Public Library.

The Columbus branch reopened in 2005 after the first complete rehabilitation and modernization of the elegant Renaissance Revival, Indiana limestone building since the 1960s. From the 1970s until its closure in 2004, the library operated on only one floor. The renovation keeps many of the building's historic elements, including the original iron-railed staircase and the oak-paneled entrance vestibule. The major changes include: complete redesign and reconfiguration of the interior public service areas, restoration of the second floor as a dedicated children's reading room, including a separate story hour room, and a new elevator serving all floors.

Collections & Services

Book collections in English and Spanish for all ages available for borrowing and use in the library
Reference collection of local history materials about Clinton/Hell's Kitchen
Community Information collection
Personal computers and software for free public use by appointment
Internet access for free public use by appointment

Programs

Films, story hours, and special programs for children
Varied programs, including crafts, drama, and music for teenagers
Occasional lectures, tours, films, and music for adults
Class visits by appointment

Other Neighborhood Branches

Area Branches	Library Centers
Bloomingdale Muhlenberg Riverside 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 # 4		1990 and 2000 Demographic Statistics
Elected Officials - Local
NYC Council District # 3	NYS Assembly District # 75	NYS Senate District # 29	U.S. Congress District # 8
Fire and Police Departments
Fire: Engine 54, Ladder 4 782 Eighth Avenue (West 48th Street) 10036		Police: Midtown North 306 West 54th Street 10019 212-767-8400
Local Hospitals: St. Clare's Family Health Center 350 West 51st Street (Eighth-Ninth Avenues)10019 212-265-8950 St. Luke's - Roosevelt Medical Center Roosevelt Division 1000 Tenth Avenue (West 58th-59th Streets) 10019 212-523-4000		St. Clare's Hospital 415 West 51st Street (Ninth-Tenth Avenues) 10019 212-586-1500
Parks and Playgrounds: Clinton Community Garden West 48th Street, Ninth-Tenth Avenues Hell's Kitchen Park West 47th-48th Streets, east side of Tenth Avenue May Matthews Playground West 45th Street, Ninth-Tenth Avenues		DeWitt Clinton Park West 52nd-54th Streets, 11th-12th Avenues McCaffrey Playground West 43rd Street, Ninth-Tenth Avenues
Post Office: Radio City Station 322 West 52nd Street (Eighth-Ninth Avenues) 10019 212-265-6677		Times Square Station 340 West 42nd Street (Eighth-Ninth Avenues) 10036 212-502-0420
Schools: Public (Community School Board Districts list)
Elementary Schools: PS 51 - Elias Howe School (K-5) 520 West 45th Street 10036 212-757-3067 Region 9, District 2		PS/IS 111 - Adolph S. Ochs School (K-5) 440 West 53rd Street 10019 212-582-7420 Region 9, District 2
PS 212 - Midtown West School (K-5) 328 West 48th Street 10036 212-247-0208 Region 9, District 2
Other Elementary Schools in Region 9, District 2
Intermediate School: JHS 17 - La Salle School 328 West 48th Street 10036 212-330-9400 Region 9, District 2
Other Intermediate Schools in Region 9, District 2
Intermediate/High Schools: Career Education Center (7-10) 448 West 56th Street 10019 212-262-0817		Food and Finance High School 525 West 50th Street 10019 212-262-5860
High School for Environmental Studies 444 West 56th Street 10019 212-262-8113		High School of Graphic Communication Arts 439 West 49th Street 10019 212-245-5925
High School of Hospitality Management 525 West 50th Street 10019 212-262-5860		Independence High School 850 Tenth Avenue 10019 212-262-8067
Jacqueline K. Onassis High School 120 West 46th Street 10036 212-391-0041		Manhattan Bridges High School 525 West 50th Street 10019 212-262-5860
Park West High School 525 West 50th Street 10019 212-262-5860		Professional Performing Arts School (6-12) 328 West 48th Street 10036 212-247-8652
Repertory School 123 West 43rd Street 10036 212-382-1875		Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction 525 West 50th Street 10019 212-262-5850
Other High Schools in Region 9, District 2
Other Schools/Programs: Alternative Programs in Manhattan Charter Schools in Manhattan Special Education Programs in Manhattan
Private/Parochial
Elementary/Intermediate Schools: The Family School West (Pre K-K) 308 West 46th Street 10036 212-688-5950		Holy Cross School (Pre K-8) 332 West 43rd Street 10036 212-246-0923
Sacred Heart of Jesus School (Pre K-8) 456 West 52nd Street 10019 212-246-4784		St. Thomas Choir School (Boys, 4-8) 202 West 58th Street 10019 212-247-3311
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)
Post-Secondary Schools: American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services 450 West 56th Street 212-757-1190		Interboro Institute 450 West 56th Street 212-399-0091