by Sarah Terrazano
Summer 2017 Intern
I
have a tradition of visiting the public library in every new city I visit. Call
me a bibliophile, but a library says a lot about its city. I’ve been to the New
York Public Library (NYPL) Midtown branch numerous times, but the next time I’m in
New York, I’ll have a “new” library to visit—the Midtown branch’s Mid-Manhattan
Library is beginning a long-awaited renovation this year.
The
Mid-Manhattan Library is the NYPL’s most heavily used circulating branch, and
the renovations could not be coming a moment sooner.
The library first opened in 1970 in a building that was erected in 1914 as a
department store.
New Yorkers rely on the
Midtown branch for services like research, technology training, language classes
and children’s story hour. The $200 million renovation will provide the library
with much-needed public seats, study spaces and brightly lit bookshelves. Specifics include a new full-floor business
library, separate libraries for children and teens, classrooms and a rooftop
terrace (the only public one in Midtown!).
The
Mid-Manhattan Library will close in August 2017 and is slated to re-open in
early 2020. I cannot wait to join New York patrons in checking out the renovated branch—if
not a book or two!
Image Credit: Galaksiafervojo
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