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
FACT SHEET
The New York Public Library
Bronx Library Center: Overview
The $50 million Bronx Library Center is located in the heart of the Fordham section of the Bronx - the borough's busiest commercial district - and serves as an anchor for the borough's 34 branch libraries, offering the most extensive and comprehensive collections, services, and programming in all of the Bronx. The five-story, environmentally responsible building incorporates innovative design features, expanded collections and improved access to materials in a wide range of formats, and an exceptional range of services and programs.
The new Library Center replaces the former Fordham Library Center, which had served as the borough's central branch since 1923.
Holdings: more than 200,000 books, periodicals, videos, audiotapes, CD-ROMs, and DVDs.
Expected annual users: approximately 500,000.
Architectural Design
The 78,000-square-foot, open-plan building with a glass curtain-wall façade is triple the size of the former Fordham Library Center.
Features include: abundant natural light, spacious seating, expansive computer workstations, and user-friendly circulation desk with self-checkout and quick-return stations.
The building is NYPL's first "green" or "sustainable" structure. Notable features include:
Approximately 20 percent of materials used to build the center were recycled and 55 percent were manufactured within 500 miles of building site.
Innovative glazed-curtain wall design prevents glare and provides maximum natural light to all collection areas.
150-seat multi-purpose auditorium includes state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, theatrical lighting, piano, and a green room.
Portrait of a Young Reader, 2006, an award-winning 54' x 17' DNA portrait by renowned artist Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle is installed on either side of the staircase leading from the concourse level to the first floor.
The Collections
The Library Center offers extensive circulating and reference collections of fiction and nonfiction for children, young adults, and adults, as well as periodicals, CDs, DVDs, audiotapes, and databases.
The Bronx Library Center is home to the largest and most in-depth reference and Spanish-language collection available to the public.
Materials in a range of languages are present in the Library's holdings, particularly those represented in the diverse local community, such as Cambodian, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese.
The Bronx Library Center features a Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center comprising extensive collections of reference, fiction, and nonfiction books, written by, for, or about Latinos, as well as multimedia material. Cultural and educational performances, exhibitions, and workshops are offered.
Services and Programs
Individual counseling for higher education and career opportunities, providing help in cover letter/résumé writing, college applications, and referrals, are available.
A Center for Reading and Writing - the largest of its kind in the Bronx - offers small classes, tutoring, and specialized collections in reading and writing in English for adults.
Reading, art, and computer workshops for children; homework help; creative writing and theater workshops; career development; and college preparation for teens are available.
A comprehensive reference collection focuses on information needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Theatrical productions, music and dance performances, staged readings, and other regular programs will be presented in the auditorium, story hour room, and other spaces.
Technology Enhancements
127 public access computers (triple the number in the Fordham Library Center) provide connections to the Internet and The New York Public Library databases, and are loaded with software for literacy training, and reading and math tutorials for children and young adults.
Assistive technology helps users with visual and hearing disabilities access the collections, Internet, and e-mail.
Free wireless connection is available.
30 laptops may be borrowed and carried throughout the building.
Computer classes for all ages are available.
Databases in English and Spanish are available.
The New York Public Library
Catherine C. Marron, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Paul LeClerc, President Susan Kent, Director and Chief Executive of The Branch Libraries David Offensend, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Joanna Pestka, Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities Operations Mary Frances Cooper, Deputy Director for Public Services, The Branch Libraries Anne L. Coriston, Deputy Director for Administrative Services, The Branch Libraries Gennie Perez, Operations Manager, Capital and Maintenance Projects, The Branch Libraries Pat Konecky, Senior Project Manager, Office of Capital Planning and Construction Robert Bellinger, Associate Director, Bronx Branches Michael Alvarez, Chief Librarian, Bronx Library Center
Dattner Architects: Richard Dattner, FAIA; Daniel Heuberger, AIA; Robin Auchincloss, AIA; William Stein, AIA; George Cumella; Joon Chom
Construction Manager: F. J. Sciame Construction
Bronx Library Center 310 East Kingsbridge Road (at Briggs Avenue) Bronx, New York 10458 718.579.4244
This building was generously funded by The State of New York: George E. Pataki, Governor; Charles A. Gargano, Chairman, Empire State Development Corporation; the New York State Assembly and Assemblyman José Rivera; and The City of New York: Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor; Christine C. Quinn, City Council Speaker; Adolfo Carrión, Jr., Bronx Borough President; the Bronx City Council Delegation and City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera.
A major grant from Roger and Susan Hertog provided lead private support for the Bronx Library Center. Support for cultural programming was provided by a generous grant from Bank of America, with additional funding from the New York Community Trust.
