Quantcast

Harlem Branch
The New York Public Library

Central Harlem

schedule hours   explore visiting   favorite add to favorites

Recalling the beginning of his illustrious career, actor/playwright Ossie Davis fondly described the Harlem Branch as ''the only home I had ... the very temple of my existence, my craft, the place that trained me, the first institution to welcome me.'' The Harlem Branch has been welcoming community residents since 1826 when Harlem was an isolated village.

The library was one of the first to be incorporated into the extensive New York Public Library branch system. Andrew Carnegie's gift supported the construction of a new building designed by the noted architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White, which the branch has occupied since 1909. This three-story classical building is wheelchair accessible and features large arched windows and an elegant marble staircase.

A $3.92 million full renovation in 2004 was made possible by The Overbrook Foundation through The New York Public Library's Adopt-a-Branch Program. Adult and young adult reading rooms occupy the first floor. The children's room is located on the second floor with a separate story-hour area for children's programs. A soaring 74-seat auditorium on the third floor offers free films and other programs and is available for use by the community. The lower-level houses a Center for Reading and Writing, which provides small group and one-to-one literacy instruction for English-speaking adults, ages 16 and older.

Kids: Programs / Education Lectures & Literature Community Kids Central Harlem


Hours

Mon 10-6, Tue 12-8, Wed 10-6, Thu 10-6, Fri 1-6, Sat 10-5

Update this organization

Your full name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your organization (if applicable)

Your phone number (required)

Internet Address:
18-97-14-91.crawl.commoncrawl.org

Changes (required)
What changes do you recommend we make to this page? Please be specific, providing correct dates, spelling, etc.


map Book a Tour favorite Donate alternate_email Email Signup

find events

December 2024
SMTWTFS
1
2
3
4567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031    
February 2025
SMTWTFS
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
232425262728 
March 2025
SMTWTFS
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031     

Features

Categories

neighborhoods

arrow_drop_up