$1B Library Expansion Plan Includes New 'Hubs'

NEW YORK CITY-At a press conference Tuesday in Astor Hall here, New York Public Library chairman Catherine Marron and president Paul LeClerc revealed a $1-billion transformation plan. The plan will take at least five years to realize, and represents the greatest change to the New York Public Library system since its founding more than 100 years ago.

The plan, which calls for a total investment of approximately $1 billion will include a renovation and reconfiguration of the Fifth Avenue building at 42nd Street. The reconfiguration will add a lending library alongside its existing research divisions. The library currently houses the research collections in humanities and social sciences, including millions of volumes of general reference material as well as unique archives and rare special collections. By moving the general research collection from the original 1911 stacks to high-density shelving under Bryant Park, vast spaces that were formerly inaccessible to the public can be repurposed in order to create a multi-level, light-filled new library that overlooks the park.

Marshall Rose, chairman emeritus and chair of the building committee of the board, is providing oversight of the building’s renovation. “Over the past 27 years, I have been involved with many capital improvements in this great building, and the restoration of many of its historic rooms, but none can match this spectacular transformation in terms of the impact it will have on the public.” A number of leading architecture firms are currently under consideration to create the design for the Central Library.