New York City is giving its iconic Carnegie Libraries a makeover

The refreshed neighborhood landmarks balance historic preservation, modernization, and sustainability.

Melrose Library [Photo: Albert Vecerka]

At the turn of the 20th century, the steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $5.2 million to New York to build libraries across the city. Leading architects of the time designed the branches, 67 in all, to look and function like civic temples with elaborate Beaux-Arts detailing, welcoming entrances, dignified reading rooms, and open stacks where patrons could freely browse. They quickly became important, and beloved, neighborhood establishments and remain so today. After more than a century of use, and ad hoc upgrades and adaptations that are also dated, the buildings are due for upgrades. 

Last year, the New York Public Library (NYPL) completed a $176 million renovation of five Carnegie Libraries in........

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