The New York Public Library’s Woodstock Branch Reopens After Two-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Renovation

MAY 15, 2017 – The Woodstock branch of The New York Public Library reopened to the public today after a two-and-a-half-year, $11 million renovation.

New York Public Library President Tony Marx, City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr., Woodstock patron Enrique

Gustavo and Woodstock branch manager Corey Rodriguez gave remarks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony which was followed by programming and performances for kids and adults.

The 103-year-old branch, located at 761 E. 160th Street in the Bronx, opened in 1914 and is an original Carnegie Library, bequeathed to the city by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In 2009, the Woodstock library was designated a city landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

In 2014, NYPL began a much-needed full interior renovation of Woodstock, managed by the City’s Department of Design and Construction and designed by Rice + Lipka Architects. The renovations were funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo and the New York State Education Department.

The renovation -- which created a new contemporary identity for the branch while respecting the spatial and organizational strength of its original McKim, Mead & White design -- includes significant expansion of its public spaces, now tailor-made to meet the community’s needs and improve the library’s functionality.

“Woodstock Library has been a cornerstone of the Bronx community for over a century, providing all with critical services and programs and a space to learn, connect, and grow," said New York Public Library President Tony Marx. “We are so proud to reopen this important, historic branch, and provide local residents with a renovated building offering more space, more programs, and the modern amenities that they need and want."

“DDC is very pleased to perform a complete renovation of the historic Woodstock Library, increasing accessibility and improving its mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems to make it more efficient and sustainable,” said New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “The result is a revamped community hub where residents can enjoy educational and cultural programming, and access its collection of books and other media. We thank Mayor de Blasio for his continuing support of library systems, and the New York Public Library for their partnership.”

"Through this multi-million dollar renovation, the Woodstock Library will not only be restored to its original beauty, but transformed into a community space ready for the needs of the Bronx in the 21st century," said Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.

The new Woodstock Library includes:

  • An expanded children’s center with story hour area
  • A new young adult space with lounge seating
  • More computers – 18 stations for children and 28 for young adults and adults
  • Technology upgrades, including building-wide wi-fi capabilities
  • Increased programming space for community needs, such as ESOL classes
  • A new elevator and ADA accessibility
  • New furniture and more restrooms
  • An improved entranceway and central staircase
  • New HVAC and security equipment

A second phase of the renovation -- to fully renovate the third floor and provide increased program space -- will begin shortly. The branch will remain open during construction.

The Woodstock Library is open Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and on Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Blanc | New York Public Library

Media Contact: Ayofemi Kirby | AyofemiKirby@nypl.org

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 93 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.