Contact Information (press inquiries only) The New York Public Library Public Relations Office 188 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 phone: 212.592.7700 fax: 212.592.7729 
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Press ReleaseConstruction Nears Completion on The New York Public Library's New Science, Industry and Business LibraryMaterials Begin to go Out of Service January 16January 12, 1996, New York City -- Construction of The New York Public Library's largest undertaking in its one hundred year history, the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL), is nearly complete, clearing the way for the new facility to open to the public on May 2, 1996. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, SIBL will offer unprecedented access to one of the nation's largest collections of electronic and print materials in the fields of business and science.Mrs. Elizabeth Rohatyn, newly-elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said, "SIBL is one of the Library's greatest achievements and will guide our users into the next century, where the ability to utilize electronic resources will be critical to business success." The 1.2 million volume collection, CD-ROMs, microfiche, and other materials from both the Central Research Library building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, as well as the Mid-Manhattan Library at 455 Fifth Avenue that will be transferred to the new site at 188 Madison Avenue will begin to go out of service on January 16. A schedule of the move is attached. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library, added, "SIBL is going to be a state-of-the-art library, housing materials in traditional formats -- books, periodicals, annual reports, and patents -- as well as in electronic formats. We will move the low-demand items first and the most frequently used materials last in order to minimize the amount of time materials are not available to the public." Funding The creative financing that brought SIBL to fruition was the result of the efforts of Chairman Emeritus Marshall Rose. The total project costs are $100 million, with $84 million for planning and construction and $16 million for endowment and operating expenses. The public fundraising goal of $24.5 million has been met through $13 million from the City of New York, $7.5 million from the State through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and $4 million through Small Business Administration and the Economic Development Administration grants. Long-term bonds issued through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York financed $25.5 million, and the remaining $50 million is being raised privately. To date, $34.5 million of the $50 million has been raised, with $18 million coming from individuals, $3.8 million from foundations and $12.6 million from corporations. Collections and Electronic Resources One of the world's finest collections in business and science materials will be the foundation of SIBL's resources, enhanced by a sophisticated electronic information network allowing users access to electronic journals, online services, and the Internet. SIBL will house a research-level collection of 800,000 volumes and a circulating collection of approximately 50,000 books, as well as circulating non-print materials. An open-shelf reference collection of 60,000 items will be available, as well as over 110,000 business and scientific serial titles. Funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has helped to automate bibliographic records of these serial titles, which was completed this past September. The journals, magazines, newspapers, and almanacs in the collection are among the most extensive in the world and are one of the Library's most heavily used resources. William Walker, Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries, said, "Among the electronic features available will be a 100 workstation Electronic Information Center that will allow users to connect to hundreds of internal and external electronic information resources. Those who are unfamiliar with these resources can take advantage of SIBL's 30 workstation Electronic Training Center, where classes will be available for users of all levels of knowledge." Seating for up to 500 users has been wired to support readers' laptop computers. Staff Retraining With a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the SIBL staff is undergoing a comprehensive training program to develop high-tech skills and recreate themselves as information professionals for the next century. Some of the staff will assist users with quick reference needs, while subject specialists will be on hand to help people needing in-depth support. This staff reorganization and training program will provide a level of public service that will enable users to gain maximum benefit from SIBL's resources. SIBL Architectural Design and Construction In January, 1993, The Library completed its purchase of 217,000 square feet of the historic former B. Altman Building at 188 Madison Avenue and has since transformed that space into 235,000 square feet by reconstructing portions of three existing floors and creating five levels in their space. Of that, 160,000 square feet will be used for SIBL's library programs, with the remaining space being used for library-wide administrative purposes and future expansion. Gwathmey Siegel & Associates designed SIBL as a flexible space ideally suited for expansion and adaptation. The design includes the restructuring of existing floors and elevation in order to simplify the installation of future generations of information technology. Strategically located information kiosks, developed in conjunction with IBM's Research Division, are being installed to guide users to specific resources and services. Several major installations have occurred at SIBL recently. The 75-foot majestic staircase, which will be the center of the two public service floors, is now in place. The glass cab elevators have been installed, as well as several of the workstations that will allow for laptop computer docking. A complex telecommunications infrastructure that will support SIBL's extensive end-user technology is presently being completed. SIBL on the World Wide Web Currently, one may take a virtual "tour" of SIBL by connecting to the Library's Home Page on the World Wide Web (http://www.nypl.org). Through full-color architectural renderings created by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, one can preview programmatic spaces. Also available on the Web site is a variety of business-related information about specific companies, patents, international trade, and country briefs, as well as information about Corporate Services, a special fee-based premium service offered at the Library. Other resources, including background on the Library, its collections, catalogs, branch and research centers, as well as pointers to the Internet, are available through the Library's Web site. Schedule of the MoveIn preparation for the public opening of The New York Public Library's Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) at 188 Madison Avenue, Science and Business materials will become unavailable until SIBL's opening on May 2, 1996, on the following schedule:
Please note that only these collections will be out of service. The remainder of the Central Research Library and Mid-Manhattan will be open as usual. PRO:bk:3/15/96 thoerenz, pro, 3/15/96 |