Alterations to 42nd Street Library Raise Alarm

On Tuesday, February 5th, the Landmarks Committee of Community Board 5 met to discuss proposed changes to the 42nd Street Library that would create a new entrance and terrace on 40th Street. The new entrance would be paired with an inscription dedicated to trustee Stephen A. Schwarzman carved into the building’s marble facade (see image below). These changes are just the tip of the iceberg. More radical alterations planned for the library’s interiors will adversely impact historic spaces without providing improvements to research services.

At the meeting, several members from Save NYPL testified in opposition to these alterations, while criticizing library officials for their lack of transparency. Thanks to our efforts, CB5’s Landmarks Committee recommended several changes to NYPL’s proposal that will be forwarded to the full Community Board. Once the full board votes on the matter, their resolution will be transmitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

We encourage everyone to join us on Tuesday, February 19th, 12:30 PM at the Landmarks Preservation Commission (1 Center Street, 9th Floor North) to oppose these insensitive alterations to New York City’s greatest Beaux-Arts landmark. The public will have the opportunity to deliver three minutes of testimony. More public input is needed to improve this deeply flawed proposal.