Capital Projects: Building for You
For more than a century, The New York Public Library has made neighborhoods stronger. Today, with over 90 locations across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, we're continually working to create library spaces that meet our users’ ever-changing needs. In recent years, we have invested more than $250 million in capital improvements systemwide, and many more projects are underway. View the full list of active Capital Construction Projects.
Find out more about our:
Current Projects
Aguilar Library
Manhattan
The partial renovation of the 120-year-old library—managed by Shawmut Design and Construction in collaboration with The New York Public Library—will upgrade service, improve infrastructure, and create enhanced spaces for patrons and programs.
Key Updates:
- Dedicated spaces for programming, along with individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens
- ADA-accessible public restroom
- Improved circulation of materials
- Elevator improvements
- Upgrades to the electrical and sprinkler systems
- IT updates
Castle Hill Library
Bronx
The full renovation of the branch—managed by New York City Department of Design and Construction—will upgrade service, improve infrastructure, and create enhanced spaces for patrons and programs.
Key Updates:
- Dedicated spaces for programming, along with individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens
- New facade design with inviting entrance, windows, and roof
- ADA-accessible public restroom
- New heating and cooling systems, fire alarms
- Upgrades to the electrical and technology
Expected Completion Date: Spring 2027
Huguenot Park Library
Staten Island
Huguenot Park Library will be relocating to a new, state-of-the-art building that will better serve the needs of patrons. Working with local owner Woodrow Village, LLC, the new building will be located on Woodrow Road, approximately one mile from the library’s current location. The new branch will have dedicated parking spaces, as well as double the amount of seats for programs and twice the amount of computers.
Key Updates:
- Dedicated spaces for adults, children, and teens
- Program room available to host library and community events
- Improved circulation of materials
- Added computers, doubling the current number
- Outdoor programming space
- ADA-accessible bathrooms
Expected Completion Date: Winter 2025
Muhlenberg Library
Manhattan
The Muhlenberg Library improvement project—funded by City Council, the Manhattan Borough President, and the Mayor—includes significant upgrades to the century-old Carnegie library.
Key Updates:
- Infrastructure upgrades to heating and cooling units, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems
- Replacing the old elevator
- Sidewalk repair
Expected Completion Date: August 2025
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Manhattan
In spring 2023, the latest phase of improvements to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building was completed. These major enhancements are designed to make this landmark, 1911 building and the Library’s extensive collections more accessible to all who visit. Among the notable updates are:
- A 3,600 square foot Visitor Center with interactive exhibits that illustrate the Library’s history and legacy, tactile displays, and multilingual features
- New ADA-accessible public entrance at 40th Street and the Marshall Rose Plaza
- Modern public stair and elevator on the 40th Street side of the building
Completed Projects
Carnegie Branch Renovation Program
Thanks to a historic increase in City funding, the Library was able to undertake an unprecedented capital investment in many of our oldest locations, bringing full renovations to five historic branches. See individual branches below.
- 125th Street Library
- Fort Washington Library
- Hunts Point Library
- Melrose Library
- Port Richmond Library
Key Updates:
- All branches are fully accessible, including the addition of elevators to several branches
- New children's and teen spaces
- Upgraded restrooms
- New heating and cooling systems for patron comfort
- Technology upgrades
125th Street Library
Manhattan
The landmarked 117-year-old library has been renovated as part of NYPL's Carnegie Branch Renovation program. Key updates include a remodel of the third floor; new dedicated and flexible spaces for programming; individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens; a new elevator and additional accessibility upgrades; technology upgrades, and more.
Fort Washington Library
Manhattan
The renovation of the century-old Fort Washington Library—managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation with Cannon Design—significantly improved the infrastructure of the building to enhance service for all patrons. The renovated branch features dedicated and flexible spaces for programming, along with individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens. Additional upgrades include facade rehabilitation, full ADA accessibility, a newly landscaped front yard, and more. The branch reopened to the public in December 2024.
Hunts Point Library
Bronx
Managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation with Mitchell Giurgola Architects, the renovation of Hunts Point Library significantly improved the infrastructure of the branch to enhance service for all patrons. Key upgrades include dedicated and flexible spaces for programming; individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens; increased ADA-accessibility; new flooring, and more. The branch reopened to the public in January 2025.
Melrose Library
Bronx
The renovation of the 107-year-old Melrose Library—managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation with Mitchell Giurgola Architects—significantly improved the infrastructure of the building. Key updates include a new elevator; an additional top floor; dedicated spaces for adults, children, and teens; new flooring, and more. The branch reopened to the public in December 2024.
Port Richmond Library
Staten Island
The renovation of Port Richmond Library significantly improved the infrastructure of the landmarked building and enhanced service for all patrons. Renovations included updates to spaces for children, teens, and adults, multi-purpose rooms for a variety of programs and classes, along with technology and infrastructure upgrades. The branch reopened to the public in February 2025.
Bloomingdale Library
Manhattan
The New York Public Library has renovated portions of the Bloomingdale Library. Key updates include a dedicated space for teens to talk, conduct group study, play games, and work independently; as well as upgraded restrooms and drinking fountains on the second floor for both patrons and staff.
Charleston Library
Staten Island
The 10,000-square-foot branch offers areas for adults, children, and teens, books, computers, and multi-purpose rooms for a wide range of programs and classes. It is also LEED Gold certified, making it the first net-zero energy library in New York City. The branch opened to the public in March 2022.
Inwood Library–Joseph and Sheila Rosenblatt Building
Manhattan
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development partnered with The Robin Hood Foundation and The New York Public Library to redevelop Inwood Library and create new 100% affordable housing on the site. The new, state-of-the-art library offers dedicated areas for adults, kids, and teens; updated technology and systems; and flexible community spaces and study rooms. The branch opened to the public in summer 2024.
Jefferson Market Library
Manhattan
Originally a courthouse, Jefferson Market Library has served the Greenwich Village community for over 40 years. The building, a New York City landmark, was erected between 1875 and 1877. The renovation has improved ADA accessibility, rehabilitated the lobby, upgraded several restrooms, and installed a new elevator.
Macomb's Bridge Library
Manhattan
In January 2020, the Library opened the new Macomb's Bridge Library in Harlem, across the street from the old branch. The new location offers nearly five times the space of the old—including dedicated teen and children's spaces—giving the community more seats, programs, classes, and computers.
Roosevelt Island Library
Manhattan
The New York Public Library opened a new, larger building to replace the existing Roosevelt Island branch in January 2021. The 5,200-square-foot building doubles the size of the former building, and adds much-needed public programming space, as well as dedicated teen and children's spaces, and an adult reading room.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Manhattan
In 2021, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) opened, following a complete transformation designed by architects Mecanoo and Beyer Blinder Belle, with generous support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and the City. Our state-of-the-art circulating library features:
- Five levels of open, browsable book stacks fronting on a dramatic, 42-foot-high atrium
- The only free, publicly accessible rooftop terrace in Midtown
- The Thomas Yoseloff Business Center, providing the services and circulating collections of the former Science, Industry and Business Library
- The Pasculano Learning Center—the Library’s largest adult learning center
- The new Children’s Center and Teen Center, with computers, books, programming spaces, podcasting studios, reading nooks, and more