The New York Public Library’s Ottendorfer Branch to Undergo Improvements

July 30, 2018 – The New York Public Library’s oldest library -- the Ottendorfer branch located at 135 Second Avenue in lower Manhattan -- will close on August 6 to facilitate the installation of a fire alarm and sprinkler system. Due to the building’s age and status, the project is expected to take six months with an anticipated reopening in early 2019.

With the generous support of the City, the Library is working on an unprecedented number of improvement projects at branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. The upgrades at Ottendorfer Library will strengthen the well-being of a historic New York City building as well as further support nearly 135 years of library service to the Lower East Side community. Over the past 10 years, more than $250 million has been invested in capital improvements across the system  

The 8,000-square-foot Ottendorfer Library opened in 1884 as New York City's first free public library. Designed by German-born architect William Schickel, this landmark building combines Queen Anne and neo-Italian Renaissance styles with an exterior ornamented by innovative terracotta putti. The branch was a gift of Oswald Ottendorfer, owner of the New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung newspaper.

Patrons can use the Tompkins Square Library and all items on hold at Ottendorfer Library will be delivered to the Tompkins Square Library until the renovation is completed.