Harlem's 125th Street Library To Be Transformed By Renovation

EAST HARLEM, NY — Years after it was first announced, work is finally set to begin on a major renovation at East Harlem's historic 125th Street Library.

First opened in 1901 between Second and Third avenues, the three-floor branch is one of dozens around the city built using funds donated by steel baron Andrew Carnegie.

Its renovation was first revealed in 2017 and supposed to be completed by 2020, but the work was delayed when the project was transferred to the city's Economic Development Corporation, and further slowed by the pandemic.

Now, construction is set to begin in January on the two-year project, which will be completed in early 2024. The branch closed in August to prepare for the $21 million renovation, which was funded by the mayor's office and other local officials.

The project will create new reading areas for adults, children and teens, restore the building's facade, and add an elevator, accessible ramps and restrooms on each floor. New, flexible spaces will provide space for programming, and other various upgrades to windows, floors, technology and HVAC systems will also be carried out.

The building's third floor, currently a vacant space that was built to house the library's live-in custodian, will be reconstructed into a teen area with staff offices. The new spaces were designed by the architecture firm Cannon Design.