A Whole New Huguenot Park Library
Here’s some exciting news for Staten Island’s bookworms: The Huguenot Park branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL) will soon undergo a major transformation, with a new location on the South Shore being a centerpiece of the makeover.
According to NYPL officials the new building will be located on Woodrow Road, adjacent to the Woodrow Shopping Plaza approximately one mile from its current location.
This upcoming new library is the latest in a series of capital improvements NYPL has invested on Staten Island over the past 10 years, which total over $100 million. Last year, the library system celebrated the opening of the new Charleston Library on the island’s South Shore.
City Council Member Joe Borelli provided $1 million to outfit the new Huguenot Park Library. The 7,500-square-foot, single level branch will feature amenities such as:
- dedicated spaces for adults, children and teens
- a program room available to host library and community events
- added computers, doubling the current number
- outdoor programming space
- ADA accessible bathrooms
“Huguenot Library was my library. It was often a respite on those rainy summer days when I was a kid,” Borelli shared. “I can tell you the name of the first book I ever took out from the adult section there. ‘The Maya,’ by an archeologist named Michael Coe. It’s special to me. I am proud that so many years after I picked up my first book, I was able to secure funding for this new branch, in addition to helping to restore funding cuts of the NYPL system to pre-pandemic funding levels during this year’s budget negotiations.”
The library plans for the current location to remain open while the new branch is under construction.
There’s some library news on the North Shore, too. The NYPL said plans are also underway for the West New Brighton Library to receive a $16.5 million makeover that includes an expansion of the building.
“The New York Public Library loves being part of the unique, wonderful and close-knit community that is Staten Island,” Iris Weinshall, COO for the NYPL, said. “We’ve delivered over $100 million in capital improvements over the past decade and I’m thrilled to announce we are continuing the improvements with a new building for Huguenot Park Library and a makeover for West New Brighton Library. Thank you to our Staten Island patrons and elected officials who have worked with us over the years to promote literacy and free access to knowledge for all. More to come.”
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