New York: Staten Island Community Gets Back Its Library, Much Improved

From The NY Times:

Finally, post-Hurricane Sandy, Staten Islanders have something to cheer about: Local civic leaders and elected officials joined executives of the New York Public Library on Tuesday in opening the newly renovated Stapleton branch, which, at 12,000 square feet, is now more than double its original size.
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The renovation, which cost $15.2 million and took four years and was designed by Andrew Berman Architects and overseen by the City’s Department of Design and Construction, brings a much improved library to one of the island’s poorer neighborhoods.

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From the NYPL News Release:

The renovated Stapleton Library includes a light-filled, sleek, 7,000-square-foot addition connected to the original 4,800 square-foot-branch, a Carnegie Library originally built in 1907. The original library has been restored as the new children’s room. Public space has more than doubled, and new interior features include reading rooms, lounges and areas for toddlers, children, teens and adults, ADA accessibility, 40 new public access computers, 10 laptops available for patron use, WiFi capability, and a multipurpose community room. There will also be about 35,000 collection items available for the public.
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“We are so proud to offer the Stapleton community this much-needed and highly anticipated branch,” said NYPL President Tony Marx. “Libraries are being used more than ever, and their importance to neighborhoods and to all residents of New York City cannot be overstated. We know how much the residents of Stapleton wanted and needed their library back, and we’re so happy to say that it’s back and better than ever, now able to adequately serve the needs of this community. We welcome everyone to visit, and we thank our elected officials for making this important renovation necessary.”

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries