The Central Libraries >Donnell
Library Center
Building a New Donnell Library Center
The New York Public Library is beginning an extensive transformation that
will expand and reshape its services as it moves forward in an era of changing
use and information needs. Among the many improvements are a number of new
state-of-the-art facilities. The transformation starts at the Donnell Library
Center, which will close on September 1 to begin construction of a new library
that opens in 2011 as part of a development project with Orient Express Hotels.
All of Donnell’s collections and services will remain available to
the public during construction of the new library. A phased transition in
service will begin this spring with some collections finding permanent new
homes in other NYPL locations. The Library is also planning a temporary site
that will provide service until the new library opens. For up-to-date information,
please check www.nypl.org.
New Locations of Donnell Collections and Services
Except where noted, new service begins June 2008
Children’s Collections
including Winnie the Pooh and Friends
Humanities and Social Sciences Library
42nd Street and Fifth Avenue
Historic and reference children’s materials will be available in the
Rose Main Reading Room. Circulating children’s materials will move
to the Humanities Library in the fall. Winnie-the-Pooh and friends are on
view now on the Library’s third floor.
Hours: Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tue & Wed: 11 a.m. to 7:30
p.m.; Sun: 1 to 5 p.m.
Donnell Media Center
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
Reserve film and video collection
Circulating audio collection
Study Center for on-site viewing
Hours: Mon & Thu: Noon to 8 p.m.; Tue, Wed, Fri: 11 a.m. to
6 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Mid-Manhattan Library
455 Fifth Avenue at 40th Street
Documentary and world cinema video collections
Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thu, Fri, Sat: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
Sun: 1 to 5 p.m.
World Languages Collection
Mid-Manhattan Library
455 Fifth Avenue at 40th Street
Hours: See Above
Adult Materials and Teen Central
Adult materials and Teen Central will be relocated to a temporary site in
midtown while the new library is constructed. Please check www.nypl.org for
forthcoming details about this location. Over the summer the Teen Advisory
Group meetings and programs for teens, including author talks, gaming, web
2.0 programs, and summer reading related activities, will be held at the
Columbus Branch. Teen Central staff will also be there to work with young
adult library users.
Service at 20 West 53rd Street through
Summer 2008
Popular adult books, feature film DVDs, paperbacks, large print books, a
classics collection and world language books, along with a sampling of circulating
teen and children’s materials, will continue to be available at Donnell
on the air-conditioned lower level through August 2008. Customers will also
be able to pick up their reserves.
Auditorium Concerts and Film Programs
Programming will continue in the Donnell Auditorium at 20 West 53rd Street
through August 2008. In the fall, programming will be expanded at the Library
for the Performing Arts and other Manhattan branches.
Expanded hours in midtown branches
Hours will be expanded at midtown branches, including:
Terence Cardinal Cooke – Cathedral Branch,
560 Lexington Avenue (at East 50th Street)
58th Street Branch Library
127 East 58th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)
Columbus Branch Library
742 Tenth Avenue (between 50th and 51st Streets).
Sunday service will be available in Manhattan at the
Mid-Manhattan Library, Countee Cullen Branch, and Seward Park Branch.
