“The Hidden History of New York City’s Central Library Plan”

The Nation magazine has just published an in-depth investigative report by Scott Sherman on the New York Public Library’s quest to monetize its assets. Sherman was the first to uncover the NYPL’s renovation plans in late-2011, and has been following the story for two years.

The article, “The Hidden History of New York City’s Central Library Plan”, is available online: http://www.thenation.com/article/175966/hidden-history-new-york-citys-central-library-plan#axzz2dQOd8GW7

Sherman’s article, which is based on internal documents, reveals the extent to which the Central Library Plan (CLP), from its inception, was characterized by secrecy and hubris, and included a $2.7 million payout to Booz Allen (the well-known military defense contractor) to help shape the plan.  Sherman asks how and why one of the world’s greatest libraries got into the real estate business and adopted a $300 million transformation without any significant public debate. For nearly two years, the NYPL has refused to discuss the CLP in detail.