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Ground Breaking: Mariners Harbor Branch Library

October 8, 2009

On September 8, Commissioner Burney, New York Public Library President Paul LeClerc, civic leaders, and Staten Island elected officials broke ground on the new Mariners Harbor Branch Library. The 10,000-square-foot branch, designed by Anna Torriani and Lorenzo Pagnamenta, features an award-winning design inspired by the neighborhood’s maritime history. The branch will be shaped like the larger and smaller halves of an open oyster shell with the overall design strategy centering on maximizing daylight and views deep into the building. It will also be the first New York Public Library branch with a ground-level outdoor terrace. The building will seek LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification.

“The building’s design respectfully incorporates the neighborhood's history with modern elements, such as the new glass façade and state-of-the-art electronic resources,” said Commissioner Burney.

Features of the branch will include self-checkout, computers, an audio-visual community room, and free wireless Internet service. The library will contain collections for adults, young adults, and children, and offer programs for all ages, after-school study hours, story reading, and community events.