The New York Public Library’s Countee Cullen Branch Temporarily Closed

UPDATE, April 15, 2016 - The New York Public Library's Countee Cullen branch in Manhattan will reopen on Monday, April 18. The branch at 104 West 136th Street in Harlem was temporarily closed on April 1 for emergency work after a piece of its 75-year old facade fell onto a sidewalk shed.  Minor work  -- such as the installation of netting and an inspection of the facade -- was done to ensure the branch's safety and it is now set to reopen to the public. The sidewalk shed will remain, as it is up in anticipation of a future city Department of Design and Construction project to fully restore the facade.

APRIL 2, 2016 – The New York Public Library’s Countee Cullen branch in Manhattan has been temporarily closed for emergency work.

After consulting with the City’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the Library decided on April 1 to close the branch at 104 West 136th Street in Harlem after a piece of its 75-year-old façade fell onto a sidewalk shed earlier in the week. No one was hurt. The shed was installed around the branch in anticipation of a future DDC project to restore the façade.

The Library will work with the city to ensure that the building is safe for the public and can reopen as soon as possible. Until the building is cleared to open, the Library recommends that patrons use the following branches in upper Manhattan:

• George Bruce Library at 518 West 125th Street
• Hamilton Grange Library at 503 West 145th Street
• Macombs Bridge Library at 2650 Seventh Avenue

“The Library’s first priority and chief responsibility is protecting its patrons,” said Chief Operating Officer Iris Weinshall. “We know how much this community relies on Countee Cullen, so we will do all we can to ensure its safety and  get it reopened. We thank the community for its patience.”

Media Contact:

Angela Montefinise | angelamontefinise@nypl.org

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