NEW YORK — The New York Public Library celebrated the grand reopening of the 125th Street Branch in Harlem on Wednesday. Neighbors explored a space they haven’t had access to since 2021.
The New York Public Library’s 125th Street Branch is getting a $34.4 million makeover
Andrew Carnegie’s 1904 gift restores a key part of 125th Street, radiating with new life, light and limitless possibility streaming through the original walls of tall windows. After being closed for the past three years, the landmark library underwent a $34.4 million renovation, updating nearly the entire interior.
“A lot of what you see is a beautiful reality,” says Brian Bannon, director of Merryl and James Tisch of NYPL, “but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, like the elevator, the infrastructure, supporting the architecture, so that This one can serve another hundred years.”
The biggest transformation took place on the third floor. The brand new teen center used to be a caretaker’s apartment that had been abandoned for years. The high ceilings and cozy corners were perfect for more than just books, and now house a 3D printer and a tech room for teenagers.
The supporting columns are among the few remains of what was. Harlem collections on each floor highlight hometown authors who remember them.
“The heart of the library is reading,” said Jonathan Neris, a patron perusing the selection. “There are a lot of things the internet can’t teach you, you know.”
“It was like a cultural wasteland”
Harriet Sepinwall got her first library card at the branch in first grade, in the 1940s.
“If I read all the books I wanted, they would take me to the back of the room as new books came in and let me choose from them,” Sepinwall remembers. “They were very nice.”
Sepinwall credits the love she had for learning in the library with leading her to a career as a professor of history and teacher education specializing in reducing prejudice. As the building fell into disrepair, she wrote letters for years and even sent her own donations to bring it back.
“It really means a lot to me because I kept thinking about the kids who lived here,” Sepinwall said. “There was nothing here. It was like a cultural wasteland, except there were a few movie theaters… but the library was great, and now more people can use it.”
With workshops and stories scheduled regularly, avid readers can enjoy every step of their educational journey.
The 125th Street branch is now open to the public every day except Sunday. For programming schedules, click here.
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