Chatham Square Library

Latest News

• Sunday, February 14, 2010 marks the new Year of the Tiger! The Chatham Square Branch may be closed on Sundays, but we are celebrating the Chinese New Year all February long - check out our Upcoming Events list below for details!

• Please be aware that our lift used to assist physically-disabled members of the public is out of order. If you require assistance, we will be happy to assist you as much as we can so that your library needs are met despite limited access. We apologize for the inconvenience and expect the lift to be repaired very soon.

About Us

The Chatham Square Branch opened in 1903, replacing a branch of the New York Free Circulating Library that had served the neighborhood for four years. The building was designed by the distinguished New York architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. It was the second library to be constructed with funds from Andrew Carnegie. From its earliest days, the branch has always been an integral part of the Chinese neighborhood it serves. Today, it acts as a cultural and civic center for a community of avid readers and is one of the busiest libraries in New York City.

A complete renovation with remodeled interior was completed in 2001 as part of the Library's Adopt-a-Branch program. Highlights include restoration of historic detail, a new elevator, air conditioning, and a high-speed telecommunications system for 22 computer workstations.

The first floor, with the original floor-to-ceiling windows and striking wood details, holds the adult, young adult, and reference print and non-print collections. The second floor is devoted to the children's collection, with cheerful, pint-sized furnishings. The third floor contains a bright, spacious community room as well as an all-new children's story room. The lower level contains the Chinese Heritage Collection, a unique repository of books, reports, documents, music CDs, and other materials in English and Chinese.