Hey, New York, Now There's Somewhere Else to Read

New York loves its libraries. New hardcovers that you don’t have to buy! A place that’s not your cramped living room to sit and read! Surreptitious glances at People Magazine!
Now New Yorkers have somewhere old-but-new-again to hang out and read.
One of New York’s City original libraries is reopening to the public after a 2-year, $9.5 million renovation. The St. Agnes Branch, on New York’s Upper West Side (44 Amsterdam Avenue, near 81st Street; 212 621-0619) opened its doors to the public in 1906. Before that, it was a parish library; it also housed a collection of books for the blind. It’s one of New York’s 67 original branch libraries, and has been in is present location since 1906.
Although the official opening ceremony is next week (Feb. 11); the branch is already open.
The three-story building was built with funds given to the city by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie; they were designated for library branches to be built across the city. It was built by the firm of Babb, Cook and Willard. (In 1901, they also designed a mansion for Andrew Carnegie; it now houses the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.)
What’s new? An entire floor dedicated to children’s books; 40 public computers; and a new story-hour room.
The Feb. 11 event will include a day of free events, from a morning ceremony to a branch tour to programs for kids and teens (balloon animas; magic; a singing program for preschoolers; gaming with Nintendo Wii) to a neighborhood history talk and job workshops.
So get out there and welcome back an old friend--with some great new facilities.

Read it and Smile: New York Libraries Are Expanding Their Hours

Stores and restaurants are closing in New York City, unemployment is up…and the New York Public Library is expanding its hours. In an era when “closed” is the most common sign you see; “open later” is certainly not expected. And yet a huge demand for its services has the library system expanding hours at 10 of its city locations. They include the 96th Street Library (112 East 96th Street (212) 759-0908); the Grand Central Library (135 East 46th Street; (212) 621-0670) and the Mid-Manhattan Library (455 Fifth Avenue; (917) 275-6975.) The latter, for example, will now be open from 8:00 am-11:00 pm Mondays-Thursdays. The New York Public Library will now be open an average of 52.5 hours a week. The last time libraries offered so much browsing time? The economic crisis of the 1970s.
Why the huge demand? People are always looking for refuges in times of economic downturn, not to mention a bargain--even better when it’s free. And many libraries offer services like employment counseling and the use of computers, plus free DVD rentals--especially important when people are cutting back on entertainment like going out to dinner and a movie.
The 10 branches can be found in all five boroughs (the library’s website, nypl.org, has the full listing and complete hours.)
So grab a novel and settle down for a while; at the moment, it’s the best deal in New York.