St. Agnes Branch Library (New York City)

First in a series of occasional traveling posts, highlighting Carnegie Libraries.

  This Upper West Side branch is a charming example, built in 1906 as a result of the 5 million plus dollars Andrew Carnegie donated to provide 2500 libraries throughout the world.  There are 1600 of them across the United States, and about 40 still exist in Manhattan.
The St. Agnes Branch underwent a complete renovation in 2007, and reopened in February of 2010 to the delight of the Upper West Siders.

When I visited, it was a warm summery day, and the entry has a beautiful old staircase, with a first floor children's area, filled with light from the hallmark Carnegie bay windows.  It was not filled with kids, though I think New York children might have still been in school last week.  It was warm inside, but the refurbished rooms were filled with books and though it was a narrow space, there are 3 floors.  Manhattan's smaller building footprints must account for the design.

Chicago has a begun a new chapter in building more than 50 brand new library branches, and while there are many spectacular examples, there is something about a historical space in a Carnegie libraries that can't be replicated.