The New York Public Library has unveiled the first schematic designs of its historic Central Library Plan (CLP), which will bring a new lending library to its iconic 42nd Street location, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
The project—designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster and his award-winning firm Foster + Partners—more than doubles the amount of public space within the iconic building, better preserves its research materials, and creates a truly integrated central library in the heart of New York City serving all people, from scholars and students to toddlers and teens.
The designs show a modern, light-filled lending library with views of Bryant Park—the first circulating library in the building in two generations. The building was always meant to have both research collections and a browsable circulating collection, as it in fact did on opening day in 1911. The new library will offer the services and materials currently provided in the deteriorating Mid-Manhattan Library and the innovative Science, Industry and Business Library, both of which will be merged into the 42nd Street building. www.nypl.org