Rally to Save the New York Public Library

As reported by intern Melissa Doherty 

Protestors on the steps of the NYPL

Yesterday, a rally was held at the 42^nd street New York Public Library in protest of the Central Library Plan (CLP), during a meeting of the library’s trustees. This plan, proposed by architect Norman Foster, claims to be restoring one of Manhattan’s most beloved landmarks, when, in actuality, it is endangering the architectural integrity of Carrère and Hastings’ original and irreplaceable Beaux-Arts design.

Costing at least $350,000,000, of which $150,000,000 will come from New York City taxpayers, this plan intends to demolish the historic book stacks and install a new circulating library. In addition, it threatens to relocate 1.5 million books to remote storage in New Jersey.

There was a strong turnout of exuberant and enthusiastic individuals who truly believed in the cause. They received countless petition signatures from passersby, showing the evident public concern for the well-being of the library. Even in the rain, on the steps of the NYPL, protestors held their signs high, some of them reading “$350,000,000 to gut this historic library while branch libraries are closing,” “No, No, Norman,” and “Your library destroyed with no public input.” Whistles were blown and chanting ensued as the trustees left the meeting, in which the CLP was conferred. Protestors stood side-by-side with the library’s marble lions, “Patience” and “Fortitude,” fighting to save this monumental piece of New York City’s history.

Meet the Newest Addition to LW!

My name is Melissa Doherty and I just completed my sophomore year at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. I am currently an Art Major and I have a great passion for architectural preservation and architectural history.

I grew up visiting Manhattan on a regular basis and its historic sites have always intrigued me. I was fascinated, early on, by structures in my own hometown of Roslyn, NY, that date back to the seventeenth and eighteenth century.

I have completed courses in Islamic Art & Architecture, Architecture of Lancaster and Architectural Design. The course I completed on the architecture of Lancaster, PA truly sparked my interest of architectural history and helped me develop an enthusiasm for landmarks. Through this, I began to understand the critical nature of preservation as a means to maintain the character of a neighborhood.

I came upon LANDMARK WEST! in my research of the field of architectural preservation and it seemed like the perfect way to further explore this captivating subject. I am very excited to learn more about the historic structures of the Upper West Side and the vital advocacy process.