Council Member Ben Kallos Hosts Winter Festival Storytime at 67th Street Library to Celebrate Recent Reopening Following $2.5 Million Rehabilitation
Upper East Side, NY – Children, parents, seniors, librarians, and residents joined Council Member Ben Kallos at the 67th Street branch of The New York Public Library for a winter festival and storytime celebrating the November reopening of the building after $2.5 million in repairs. The facility was closed to receive $2.5 million in capital improvements including needed repairs to its roof and upgrades to the HVAC system for the 114-year-old building.
$1.5 million was allocated in June 2018 by Speaker Corey Johnson following a request by Council Member Kallos. The remaining $1 million in funding was provided by the Mayor’s office as part of a citywide investment in libraries supported by the City Council.
That same year, the 67th Street Library also received a portion of $200,000 allocated by Council Member Ben Kallos through Participatory Budgeting for technology upgrades to all three of Council District 5 Library branches.
“This is the library where I got my first library card, borrowed books, and did research for school when I was in elementary school. It was old then and I am honored to finally be in a position to make this multi-million-dollar investment in a library that has been a center of our community for more than a century,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “Thank you to Speaker Corey Johnson and Mayor Bill de Blasio for recognizing the importance of our libraries and funding this project for our community and the city as a whole.”
“Libraries are the heart and soul of our cities, which is why the City Council fights so hard to make sure they are adequately funded each year and get the capital repairs necessary to serve the community for decades to come. The East 67th Street branch is vital to Upper East Side families and all residents but the aging building needed an upgrade. I am proud of my work with Council Member Kallos to fund these repairs and enhance the library for all New Yorkers,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.
“The 67th Street Library is delighted to welcome Council Member Ben Kallos to the Winter Festival Storytime and share our collective love of reading,” said Maggie Barbour, branch manager of the 67th Street Library. “The Library is encouraging everyone to read more in 2020 and all of us at 67th Street Library look forward to sharing the resources and programs available at the branch. We are grateful to Council Member Kallos for his support of the 67th Street Library and all the libraries in his district who serve the community.”
“Libraries are places where children and adults alike can go to learn something new and enrich their lives. I’m grateful to the City for investing in this upgrade at the East 67th Street Library and to Council Member Kallos for recognizing its impact for our constituents”, said Council Member Keith Powers.
The 14,000-square-foot library designed by architects Babb, Cook, and Willard opened to the public in January of 1905. Built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, the branch has served the Upper East Side community for over
100 years.
