Photos by Stacie Joy
The Tompkins Square Library is checking out a two-week late-summer break.
The New York Public Library branch at 331 E. 10th St., between Avenue A and Avenue B, will be temporarily closed from today through Aug. 22 for "needed building work ahead of next year's major renovation," per door signage for patrons.
During the closure, patrons are encouraged to use the Ottendorfer Library, Seward Park Library or Epiphany Library. Hold requests made during the closure can be picked up at Ottendorfer, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.
The temporary closure comes ahead of a $30.2 million comprehensive renovation of the 122-year-old Carnegie branch, as we first reported here.
The project, now in the design phase, will reconfigure the library to create dedicated spaces for children, teens and adults.
Plans also call for ADA upgrades to the entrance, bathrooms and elevator, along with new furniture, upgraded technology and modernized building systems.
Construction on the major renovation is currently projected to be completed in December 2028.
Previously on EV Grieve:
4 comments:
December '28? Hmm. I have no problem with a renovation if it involves infrastructure... but the timeline is the challenge. Libraries today are not only for books. They have morphed into community centers. They provide cooling for summers heating for winter... wifi... for the digital age... printing... copying... computers (laptops and desktops... state and fed income tax help... and courses from language to crafts... Libraries provide space for workers who work from home, students to study and research and of course child care programs... And whatever else I might have missed. But my point... what happens to all the people who used the services at Tompkins. Most are not going to go to the other local libraries... especially seniors and nannies with children... And it's for 2 years. Out of the 30.2 million cost of the renovation... money should be put aside to rent a local space to continue the services of Tompkins. It's a small price to pay... to at least consider for an asset for many who depend on the services of a multi purpose institution that has changed along with a changing city.
The entire country's scarcity mindset in a post scarcity America is egregious at this point which is the reason insatiable and redundant greed continues to reign supreme and people still need to run the rat race in order to have a shot at a normal life. Why is the city building more office towers is beyond anyone when white collar work can be done remotely. Meanwhile, we have a housing crisis while megalomaniacs want to see more vanity projects in the form of office towers dot the NYC Skyline.
Will Hamilton Fish be reopening soon?
It's been closed for 2 years and 8 months. That's what we're in for when Tompkins is closed. And that's why I suggested that the city takes some of that 30.2 donation to find an alternate space. Maybe the city can negotiate with the church for space at St. Brigid. The loss of the library would be devastating to the community. .The EV has been abused by the city for years. We need a win. We need our pols to wake up and do something positive for the community and not take us for granted.... We don't need another high rise or welfare center... We need our library.
Post a Comment