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Ribbon Cutting: St. Agnes Branch Library

February 11, 2010

DDC recently celebrated the re-opening of the St. Agnes branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL). The event drew more than 150 adults and school children as well as local elected and civic leaders. The three-story building, constructed in 1906, has new heating and cooling systems and state-of-the-art technology while maintaining the distinctive character of the famous Carnegie libraries. Special care was taken with the library’s beautiful existing woodwork which was removed, refinished and, in selected areas, recreated before being replaced.  

"We are extremely proud of our relationship with NYPL," said Commissioner Burney to Paul LeClerc, its president. "Bringing a 100-year-old building into the 21st century was no small challenge and our talented team achieved its goal."

Renovation of the library also included a community room, new furniture, and 40 computer stations for public use.  In addition, ADA compliance standards required a new entrance, a ramp, a new elevator accessible to all floors, and new restrooms. In order to fill this reinvigorated space with natural light, a new skylight was introduced over the central staircase, and the atrium system along the back wall of the main reading room was restored.