Landmark 115th Street Branch Library Readies for Renovation

The New York Public Library and City Council Member Bill Perkins Announce Full Funding for the Renovation of the 115th Street Branch Library

New York, August 31, 2000 -- On Thursday, August 31 at 3:30 p.m., New York City Council Member Bill Perkins joined Mary K. Conwell, Deputy Director of The Branch Libraries to announce that full funding is in place for a $3.2 million renovation of the historic 115th Street Branch Library. This announcement took place during a festive Harry Potter Summer Reading Club Celebration in the children's room of the 115th Street Branch, located at 203 West 115th Street near Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard in Northern Manhattan.

The renovation of the 115th Street Branch will take place in connection with the Library's Adopt-A-Branch Program. An innovative philanthropic partnership begun in 1991, the Adopt-A-Branch program matches public funding with private support for the renovation of local branches in The New York Public Library system. In addition to the $3.2 million in City funding secured by Councilman Perkins, the Helena Rubinstein Foundation will  contribute $500,000. This funding will allow for the first major renovation of the 115th Street Branch since it opened its doors in 1908.

The 115th Street Branch Library was one of the 65 libraries built with funds donated in 1901 to the City of New York by Andrew Carnegie. Opened in 1908 and designed by the architecture firm of McKim, Mead & White, the three-floor building's distinctive facade  and enduring elegance inspired its designation as a New York City landmark building.

"This renovation will, thanks to the leadership of Councilman Perkins, provide the residents of Harlem with 21st century library services while preserving the architectural beauty of their local branch," said Norman Holman, Director of The Branch Libraries.

The renovation will include installation of an elevator to all floors and handicapped access to  the front door. The long unused third floor of the branch will be made accessible and allow for  the expansion of library services, particularly for children's programming and use of information technology. A renovated 115th Street Branch will provide the community with broad access to technology and technology programs so critical to success in today's business and education  environments.

The facade of the building will be cleaned and repaired and the library's collections and programming will be expanded. Improvements to the building will also include:

• an upgrade or replacement of the HVAC and mechanical systems
• new electrical and telecommunications wiring
• a reconfiguration of floor plans throughout the building
• new finishes, furniture, and equipment

The 115th Street Branch renovation now enters a period of program development and design.  The architect is Li-Salzman of New York City. We project a construction start in mid 2002.

"The 115th Street Branch provides vital resources to the residents of Central Harlem including free access to technology, the African American Heritage Collection, and innovative programming," said Councilman Perkins, "I am so pleased to be able to make this renovation possible so that the library remains a cornerstone of the community."

"The Helena Rubinstein Foundation is delighted to adopt the 115th Street Branch Library," said Diane Moss, the Foundation's President and CEO. "The Library provides educational opportunities for young and old alike and this fits well with the Foundation's mission. When Helena Rubinstein established the Foundation in 1953, she stated that she had made her money from selling cosmetics to women and therefore wished her foundation to help in the betterment of quality of life for women and children. To carry out this goal, our Foundation primarily makes grants in the areas of education, community services, and the arts to nonprofit organizations in New York City.
 

The New York Public Library offers a wide variety of free programs for adults, young adults, and children at all 85 of its branches, located throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Visit the Library's web site at www.nypl.org for further information.
 

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