Renovation Fact Sheet: Donnell Media Center

Donnell Media Center
Donnell Library Center
20 West 53rd Street, Lower Level
(between Fifth and Sixth Avenues)
New York, NY 10019

212-621-0609

Background

Donnell Media Center, the central film and video collection of The New York Public Library, is located on the lower level of the Donnell Library Center. In addition to its extensive holdings in film and video, the Center also features a sizeable and varied audio collection. The New York Public Library first established a film collection at the Donnell Library Center in 1958. NYPL consolidated film, video, and audio materials into the Media Center in 1983. Video and audio materials have now come to be regarded as important media for the communication of ideas, and as integral parts of public library collections. This renovation is the first to be designed specifically for the Media Center’s specialized holdings and services.

Work Summary

The Donnell Media Center renovation has transformed the lower level of the Donnell Library Center into a light, open, service-oriented space. The extensive reorganization of the floorplans allows for easier and better browsing, and clear views of the public service desks from throughout the Center. Browsing collections of videos, DVDs, CDs and audio tapes are located on shelving throughout the Media Center. The new Film/Video Study Center is located in a separate, glass-enclosed area of the Center to promote quiet viewing and study. Patrons can screen items from the Center’s collections, or their own videos and films, by appointment, in one of the Study Center’s eight carrels. Items in the 16mm film and reserve video collections are housed in an archive-quality climate-controlled storage area and must be requested, in advance, at a public service desk. Media storage in the Center has been greatly enhanced, providing for an increase in collections and more appropriate storage of rare media materials. Five computer stations provide free access to electronic resources. Weekly film programs and series are presented in the adjacent auditorium. For the first time, elevator service makes the Media Center readily accessible to all patrons.

Highlights

• A newly-equipped Film/Video Study Center with eight individual viewing stations for on-site study. The individual carrels enable patrons to view 16mm films as well as DVDs, and several formats of video cassette. The Study Center also has limited listening facilities for CDs and audiocassettes.


• ADA accessibility to the Media Center for the first time via elevator


• Completely redesigned floor space


• New 20-seat conference room outfitted with digital and analog video projection


• Five public computers with access to the Internet as well as NYPL’s catalogs and databases


• Compact film/video shelving in climate-controlled storage space


• New furniture, air conditioning, lighting, shelving, flooring, painting, and electrical work

Free Film/Video Programs

• Weekly film series including the "Featuring..." and "Viewpoint" series
• The Center’s renowned Meet the Maker series, a forum in which notable film and video makers present and discuss their work
• The Media Center’s programs take place in the adjacent handicapped-accessible auditorium, which seats 264 people. Equipped for 16mm film projection, as well as analog and digital video and data projection, the auditorium features a highly luminous, reticulated, 12 ft. by 15 ft. screen.

Collection & Service Highlights

• 8,500 16mm films, including independent experimental films, documentaries, and animation and children’s films, as well as a range of feature films from Hollywood classics to recent releases
• 5,500 videotapes ranging from video art to independently produced documentaries and exemplary television series
• Over 2,400 film reference books
• 171 film periodicals
• 17,000 popular home videos and DVDs
• 35,000 music and non-music CDs and audiocassettes, including:
• Western and non-western classical music, world music, popular music and jazz
• Literature recordings featuring critical discussion, poetry, and readings from the classics.
• Radio Programs
• Language Instruction

Architects & Building Information

Architect: Sen Architects

Construction Manager: The New York City Department of Design and Construction

Funding

The Donnell Media Center’s $1 million renovation was made possible through funding provided by the City of New York, with the support of New York City Council Member Christine Quinn (member from 1999 to present) and New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane (New York City Council Member from 1992 to 1999); by the State of New York with the support of State Senator Roy M. Goodman through grants from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Education Department; and with Federal funds through Title II of the Library Services and Construction Act.

AV Equipment list

Press release on the renovation

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