The New York Public Library’s Landmarked 125th Street Branch Reopens Following Top-To-Bottom Renovation

Photo Courtesy of NYPL

The 120-year-old branch is part of a $176 million investment to modernize five historic Carnegie libraries in under-resourced areas of New York City.

The New York Public Library on Wednesday celebrated the grand reopening of its newly renovated 125th Street branch, which has been closed since 2021 as part of an unprecedented capital investment through the Library’s “Carnegie Renovation Program,” which was primarily funded by the city of New York.  That program, spearheaded by NYPL President Anthony W. Marx and part of the Library’s ongoing commitment to equity, prioritized five historic libraries in under-resourced neighborhoods for gut renovations to better serve patrons. The libraries selected for repair trace back to a pioneering partnership forged in the early 1900s between New York City and the industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who donated land to build public libraries for the betterment of all New Yorkers. 

The 125th Street branch, the first of the five Carnegies to open under the renovation program, provides critical resources and opportunities for the community, including free programs in job training, college and career prep, English as a second language classes, and computer access. Almost half the community the branch serves earn less than $25,000, and the majority (57%) have a high school diploma or less, according to census data. Half of the households speak a language other than English and nearly a third (27%) have no computer. 

The newly updated branch, a 120 year-old Renaissance Revival building which suffered from leaks, and a dilapidated third floor unfit for public use, now includes technology upgrades, new energy-efficient windows, and new heating and cooling systems for patron comfort, which is especially important given the Library’s designation as a gathering place during extreme weather.

The formerly-dilapidated third floor, which housed a live-in custodian decades ago before falling into disrepair, was transformed into a state-of-the-art teen center equipped with a 3D printer, audio visual equipment like Canon cameras, Macbook Airs, and more. The Teen Center also has dedicated staff on hand to guide and mentor teen patrons, as well as an expansive collection of college and career prep books. 

Other highlights include: 

• Multi-purpose rooms for a variety of programs and classes.
• Improved accessibility, including new accessibility restrooms and a new elevator. Previously, this four-story library had no elevator, a serious hardship to our patrons with mobility issues. 
• All new mechanical and electrical systems including WiFi.
• A public artwork by Diana Schmertz commissioned through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art program that will be installed in a prominent location on the first and second landings of the main staircase.
• A renovated children’s floor boasting new PCs, colorful furniture, and an abundance of natural light. 
• New technology shelving, furnishings, lighting and collection materials throughout. 

NYPL President Anthony W. Marx, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Councilmember Diana Ayala, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, and dedicated patrons celebrated the reopening at a small public ceremony followed by a storytime in the new, sun-filled children’s room. 

The $176 million renovation effort was primarily funded by capital investments from New York City. Construction of all five branches was overseen by the NYC Economic Development Corporation and the remaining branches — Melrose Hunts Point, Fort Washington, and Port Richmond — will open in the coming months.

With design led by CannonDesign and Mitchell Giurgola and construction led by Gilbane Building Company, the renovations preserved key historic features while modernizing the interior to maximize public space, codifying new design standards in the process. The redesign honored the original Carnegie emphasis on volume, light, and natural materials, maintaining double height ceilings, tall windows made energy efficient, and new wood floors, imbuing the building with an airy capaciousness.

About The New York Public Library

For over 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With over 90 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. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits 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.