LIBRARY NOTES
Building Renovation
About the Renovation
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) once remarked, "I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." Those of us who have come to depend upon the New York Society Library for the nourishment of our souls might be tempted to take that statement one step further: The Library is Paradise. For book lovers, there can be no doubt that our beautiful landmarked building on East 79th Street not only houses a collection of books remarkable for its depth and breadth, but also offers the perfect atmosphere in which to read, study, write, or simply escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is why we are very pleased to report that the renovation the Library initiated this past summer has finally been completed. After months of hammering, drilling, concrete pouring, and welding, peace and quiet have once again been restored to our Paradise.
There were four renovation projects happening at the Library simultaneously:
- Funds from the Hornblower Trust made it possible to fill in the lightwell space above the main staircase, increasing floor and shelving space on floors three, four, and five;
- The Hornblower Trust also funded the renovation of the fifth floor to increase the seating capacity of the Large Study Room and raise the number of private study rooms from two to six;
- A generous donation from the Peluso family enabled us to restore the antique skylight above the main stairs;
- The Naumburg Estate funded the handicapped access in the entry hall.
|
