The New York Public Library's 67th Street Branch Reopens on December 1 After a Full Renovation

Branch was First Location Opened by NYPL in 1905 After Consolidation and Features Classic Carnegie Library Architecture

Community Celebration Includes Recognition of Former Neighborhood Resident Blanche Klein, Who Received Her First Library Card at 67th Street Branch Approximately 75 Years Ago

The historic 67th Street Branch of The New York Public Library celebrates its reopening after a $3 million renovation with a community celebration on Thursday, December 1 at 10:30 a.m. The four-level, 14,000-square foot building was the first branch opened directly by The New York Public Library and is a classic example of the grand, richly-decorated libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie in the 1900s. Among the features of the fully-renovated branch are refurbished original design elements including original wood, decorative metalwork and mosaic tile floors, 22 new computers, a new technology training classroom, new lighting and furniture, and a new elevator. The 67th Street Library is located at 328 East 67th Street between First and Second Avenues.

Participants in the opening event are City Council Speaker A. Gifford Miller; Catherine C. Marron, Chairman of The New York Public Library's Board of Trustees; Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library; Susan Kent, Director and Chief Executive of The Branch Libraries; David J. Burney, AIA, Commissioner, New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC); and school children from P.S. 183. Former neighborhood resident Blanche Klein, who received her first library card at the 67th Street Branch as a child approximately seventy-five years ago, will also attend.

While refurbishing the Library's architecture, the renovation modernizes its access and services for its neighborhood users. "Every day, in our branches, patrons of all ages find the resources they need to help them succeed," said Chairman Marron. "Over 100,000 people visited the 67th Street Branch the year before it closed for renovation in December 2003. Once the neighborhood sees the beautiful refurbishment and discovers its new services, we expect it will be an even more popular community resource than ever before." The branch's renovation is its first since the 1950s. Funding for the project was provided by City Council Speaker A. Gifford Miller. "We owe enormous gratitude to Speaker Miller for funding the renovation and for his dedicated support of The New York Public Library's mission to provide free access to information and cultural resources," said President LeClerc. "He is one of the Library's greatest and most reliable advocates."

Ms. Kent said, "The 67th Street Branch has been transformed into an accessible and technologically advanced library. With its new computers and wireless Internet access, combined with an extensive range of books, periodicals, recordings, and other items, it is a gateway to a world of information and enrichment."

"I am thrilled that I was able to be a part of making the renovation of the 67th Street Branch Library a reality," said Speaker Miller. "The completion of this project will allow the library to provide the best possible service to the residents of the Upper East Side. A safe, welcoming branch, like this one, is a vital part of each and every community in New York City."

History of the 67th Street Library
Originally built in 1905 with funds from Andrew Carnegie, the 67th Street Branch was the first branch to be opened directly by The New York Public Library; previous branches had been acquired by the Library when its Circulation Department was established through consolidation with several independent, free libraries. The building is a three-story, three-bay Renaissance Revival style limestone building with tall arched openings, an Art Nouveau-style transom above the arched entrance, and large second-floor rectangular windows with projecting pediments. The original staircase with decorative iron railing has been restored, along with numerous other architectural details, including mosaic tile floors. The library's 14,000-square foot interior has also been reconfigured, providing additional computer space, a redesigned children's floor, a community room, and new restrooms.

About the 67th Street Branch Library Renovation
After the renovation, young adult and adult collections are on the first floor; children's collections are on the second floor; and the community room and technology training classroom are located on the third floor.

The renovation, designed by Helpern Architects and managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction, includes the following changes:

• 22 new computers
• New elevator serving all floors and an entrance ramp into the building, both completed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Refurbished classic Carnegie Library architecture, including original wood, decorative metalwork, and mosaic tile floors
• Redesigned third-floor community room and new technology training area on the previously underused third floor
• New furniture for the reading room and children's areas
• Wireless Internet access
• New heating, cooling, and ventilation systems; new electrical and telecommunications wiring
• New lighting fixtures on all floors

The 67th Street branch is located at 328 East 67th Street [near First Ave.] in Manhattan. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, closed. Admission is free. For more information, call 212-734-1717 or visit www.nypl.org.

The 67th Street Branch Library was renovated through funding generously provided by New York City Council Speaker A. Gifford Miller.

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Contact :    Rima Corben / Gayle Snible  212.704.8600

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