Capital Projects: Building for You

Graphic featuring a blue background with white text that reads: 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.

To view the full list of active Capital Construction Projects please visit atlas.nypl.org.

Find out more about our: 

Current Projects

 

 

Collage of renderings of the exteriors of Carnegie library renovations.

Carnegie Branch Renovation Program

Thanks to the historic increase in City funding, the Library is in the midst of an unprecedented capital investment in many of our oldest locations, bringing full renovations to five historic branches.

Key Updates:

  • All branches will be 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

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $100 million
Expected Completion Date: Mid 2023

 

 

Rendering of interior of 125th Street Library's planned renovation.

125th Street Library
Manhattan

The 117-year-old Library will remodel its third floor (which has been inaccessible for decades), create dedicated and flexible spaces for programming, along with individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens, as well as receive essential upgrades throughout

Key Updates:

  • a new elevator and additional accessibility upgrades
  • a façade restoration
  • updates to the building’s windows and floors
  • upgrades to HVAC and electrical systems
  • new restrooms on each floor
  • technology upgrades

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $21 million
Expected Completion Date: Fall 2023

 

 

Cross-section rendering of the renovated Fort Washington Library.

Fort Washington Library
Manhattan

The renovation of the century-old Fort Washington Library—managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation with Cannon Design—will significantly improve the infrastructure of the building and enhance service for all patrons. The branch will feature dedicated and flexible spaces for programming, along with individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens. The Library will also remodel the former custodial apartment on the third floor, transforming it into public space and providing new opportunities for additional programs and services.

Key Updates:

  • Facade rehabilitation
  • New handicap accessible ramp at the entrance and interior accessibility upgrades
  • New interior stairs
  • Installation of a new elevator
  • A newly landscaped front yard

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $23 million
Expected Completion Date: Fall 2024

 

 

Rendering of interior of Hunt's Point Library's planned renovation.

Hunt's Point Library
Bronx

The $19.6 million renovation—managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation with Mitchell Giurgola Architects—will significantly improve the infrastructure of the 92-year-old branch and enhance service for all patrons. The branch will also feature dedicated and flexible spaces for programming, along with individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens. 

Key Updates:

  • A new accessible ramp for the front entrance and other accessibility upgrades
  • Upgrades to the elevator
  • Upgrades to HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems
  • Improvements to outdoor space
  • Restrooms available on each floor
  • New stairs and wood flooring, and more

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $19.6 million
Expected Completion Date: Summer 2023

 

 

Interior rendering of Inwood Library, featuring a reading room with bookshelves, a seating area, and a large skylight.

Inwood Library
Manhattan

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development is partnering 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 library will remain its current size and will maintain existing services while providing additional services.  A temporary library is open down the street from the existing branch to serve the Inwood community during the construction.

Key Updates:

  • A better layout that is more functional for the community’s needs
  • New state-of-the-art space, including improved digital capabilities

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $10 million
Expected Completion Date: Spring 2023

 

 

Rendering of interior of Melrose Library's planned renovation.

Melrose Library
Bronx

The renovation of the 107-year-old branch—managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation with Mitchell Giurgola Architects—will significantly improve the infrastructure of the building and enhance service for all patrons. The library will also regain a new, additional top floor (which was lost decades ago in a fire) and feature dedicated and flexible spaces for programming, along with individual reading areas for adults, children, and teens.

Key Updates:

  • Updates to accommodate code compliancy
  • A new elevator
  • Upgrades to HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems
  • Restrooms on each floor
  • New stairs and wood flooring, and more

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $24 million
Expected Completion Date: Summer 2023

 

 

Exterior photo of Muhlenberg Library.

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

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $4.5 million
Expected Completion Date: Late 2023

 

 

Interior rendering of the renovated Port Richmond Library.

Port Richmond Library
Staten Island

The $19 million renovation—managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation with Cannon Design—will significantly improve the infrastructure of the 116-year-old branch and enhance service for all patrons. The landmarked building’s renovations will include updating dedicated areas for the children, teens, and adults as well as multi-purpose rooms for a variety of programs and classes, along with technology and infrastructure upgrades.

Key Updates:

  • Facade rehabilitation
  • New handicap accessible ramp at the entrance and interior accessibility upgrades
  • New interior stairs
  • Installation of a new elevator
  • A newly landscaped front yard

Status: Construction
Total Budget: $19 million
Expected Completion Date: Fall 2023

 

 

Exterior photo of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building with Treasures exhibition banners on the facade.

Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Manhattan

Ongoing project to renovate, restore and add public space to our iconic research library while preserving and protecting its historic character. Currently in Phase 2, including HVAC and infrastructure upgrades. See the Midtown Renovation website for more.

 

Completed Projects

 

 

 

Interior photo of Bloomingdale Library's Children's Room, featuring colorful decorations, bookshelves, and wooden tables and chairs.

Bloomingdale Library
Manhattan

The New York Public Library has renovated portions of the Bloomingdale Library. This project will create space for teens where they can talk, conduct group study, play games, and work independently on upgraded computers in their own dedicated area. This project will also provide for much-needed updating of existing restrooms on the second floor for both patrons and staff and provide drinking fountains.

 

 

Exterior photo of Charleston Library with a red NYPL banner on a pole in front of the location.

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.

 

 

Exterior rendering of Jefferson Market Library, which features an accessible ramp.

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. 

 

 

Interior photo of Macomb's Bridge Library's Children's Room, featuring bookshelves, colorful poufs, and a bright skylight.

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. 

 

 

Interior photo of Roosevelt Island Library, featuring book shelves and a bright blue desk with red text that reads: Welcome.

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.

 

 

Interior photo of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library lobby, which features wooden benches and a large red carpet that leads towards a welcome desk at the other end of the building.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Manhattan

A complete makeover for the Library’s largest circulating branch. See the Midtown Renovation website for more.

 

 

Exterior photo of Van Cortlandt Library, Arline Schwarzman Building, featuring wood shingle siding.

Van Cortlandt Library
Bronx

In July 2019, Van Cortlandt Library in the Bronx opened its doors at its brand-new location. A short walk away from the branch's former location, this new space doubles the size of the former library, with 5,800 square feet of public space. It also offers dedicated spaces for children, teens, and programming, an adult reading room and separate community room, additional computers and laptops, and much more.