Feb 11, 2010 Celebration: St Agnes NYPL FREE Opening Party

NYC Kid’s FREE Event: Reopening of the St. Agnes Branch Library Celebration

Today’s bright, welcoming and spacious children’s sections of the New York Public Library, one of the city’s absolute best indoor public spaces for single digit kids, seem to have escaped many an erudite parents’ notice.

Perhaps we still conjure images of the way it was when we were young. Or we’re still too disillusioned by the sacrificing of the Donnell, the city’s absolute best kid library, to the insatiable real estate deity. Or maybe we just got tired of schlepping the stroller up the steps only to encounter a branch closed due to budget cuts.

Well, free up your dance card once again. The Big Apple’s Bibliophile Institution is trying to woo us back, just in time for Valentine’s Day. And after a preview last week, this family is ready to love again.

The Upper West Side’s St. Agnes Branch Library has been given a major facelift by an architect who we’d bet has kids. It’s much more family friendly than most other branches including these features:

• A ramp
  YES! you read that right! Someone finally realized what a hassle it is to get up those big marble steps with a stroller (or a wheelchair!) and now you can actually get into the library without any steps. Score 1 for families!
• The kid section is on the first floor.
  Yes! Again, someone with a brain and some babies must have designed this. No longer do you need to hush your crying 8 month old as you climb 50 huge marble steps. Now, the chaos of child rearing can be celebrated without disturbing the library’s adult patrons-located on the upper level.
• Stroller parking
  OK, so it would have been asking too much for them to actually have a true stroller parking lot. But the room itself is set up with wide enough aisles and big open spaces that a stroller will no longer be a major hurdle to library going.
• Two spacious reading areas with comfortable, clean furniture, carpeting and open areas for roaming.
• Plenty of Light
  The general impression is of a much more illuminated and natural space. The windows at the front have been enlarged and a skylight was added in the adding much needed natural illumination.
• Safer
  The general shape of the first floor (e.g the shorter shelves) has made it easier to keep track of a roaming toddler or mid-schooler who wants a bit of independence.
• 20,000 items
  The shelves are generously stocked with plenty of books for all kid ages and also multiples of popular books. Compared to the Jefferson, 67th street and the midtown library, this is the best collection we’ve seen as of late.
• 12 computers
  Exclusively for the use of kids, these 12 screens are at kid-height and set apart from the reading areas, making for minimal interruptions and a better chance your kid can actually get a computer.
• WIFI!!!
  Whoeee! Now you can sit and do your email, surf the net or whatever else on your iPhone or laptop for free while the little ones listen to story time, or roam around. If only they’d let us bring in a latte!
  
• Ongoing booksale
  Whoeee! Everyone knows the library has the absolute best book sales. Now, we don’t need to wait for the once a year opportunity. The basement will house a constant book sale filled with books for all ages. Hopefully, they will keep prices at the usual bargain rates.

On February 11th, there will be a big Grand Reopening Celebration

Here are details from the Press Release:
The February 11 festivities kick off with an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring community members, elected officials, library staff, neighborhood school children and special guests. Following the ceremony, the public is invited to participate in a series of performances, children’s programs, talks, workshops, and more. Among the events planned are tours of the library; face painting, balloon animals, story hour and magic for children; a talk relating to the history of the library’s Upper West Side neighborhood; a workshop on job resources and networking; a drumming program; and a gaming session.

Thursday, February 11, 2010
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public
444 Amsterdam Avenue (near 81st Street)

11 a.m.
Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting, with elected officials and special guests, including Fox News anchor Alisyn Camerota

12:30 p.m.
Magic Show, with Evan Paquette
Neighborhood History: Upper West Side Odyssey, a talk by Jim Mackin, Park West Neighborhood History Group

1 p.m.
Center for Reading and Writing, an overview with staff and students

2 p.m.
Children Sing and Celebrate Around the World, a singing program for preschoolers
Get Noticed in 2010: Networking Made Simple, a workshop for job seekers
Center for Reading and Writing, computer demonstrations and casual conversations with students and staff

3 p.m.
World Beat and Percussion with Dale Gordon, a participatory performance
Face Painting and Balloon Animals

Also: Gaming with Nintendo Wii

Tagged as: books, indoor, kids, library, nypl, public space