The St. Agnes Library on Amsterdam Avenue between 81st and 82nd streets has closed on Thursday after a fire late Wednesday. The library did not offer details on whether anything was damaged or if there were injuries, and FDNY has not responded to q request for more details. We’ll update this if we hear more.
Jeff, who took the photo above, said he had heard the fire was due to an electrical issue, but we haven’t confirmed that.
Photo by Harriet.
I hope the fire damage isn’t too extensive; the branch is small but beautiful since its renovation.
It’s a beautiful dinosaur…..way past the efficiency of usefulness. With it’s vaulted ceilings, magnificent staircase and vintage bookcases, it is a step back in time.
In this age of electronic data storage and retrieval, it uses much more space than what could be justified for its existence. Way underutilized….it would serve better purpose with a totally revamped inside of computer terminals and staff capable of providing instruction to those in need of IT savvy.
In some respects I agree. More focus on education for those who are IT deficient is important given the digital world we are moving toward. Additionally, the usage of space could certainly be improved.
It would also be nice if the library was more conducive to actual reading – more comfortable furniture and perhaps even a cafe. There is too much room dedicated to children and they are far too noisy for any person to enjoy reading without cacophonous wailing and shrieking.
Bring back the library of yesteryear where people actually respected the institution and held it in high regard because it was a library and not a pseudo daycare.
I hope there wasn’t too much damage done – maybe this will serve as the “spark” for the beginning of some change.
Way past the efficiency and usefulness… of a Libray? I disagree. If someone needs computer terminals there are plenty of other facilities they can use. How about we keep it in it’s beautiful original form and maybe the young whipper snappers of today can enjoy books. Just books.
Or, maybe if it’s not useful anymore they can gut it and put a Duane Reade in there.
@ keeping it….
Every few years, I donate old books, magazines and CD’s/DVD’s to the Saint Agnes branch. Just last year, I parted with my complete collection of Soldier of Fortune Magazine, The Turner Diaries and my well worn copy of Mein Kampf.
In addition, I donated all my war related DVD movies, including some of my most beloved titles like Back to Bataan, Hell is for Heroes, Where Eagles Dare and The Dirty Dozen.
In musical CD’s, I gave the children all the joys of the Red Army Marching Band, The Complete Wladziu Valentino Liberace collections and too many to recall 101 Strings Most Remembered Elevator Muzak.
Some people think I should be nominated for some kinda sainthood…..but I’m just too modest to even consider that.
Wouldn’t surprise me at all if you actually had all those….
@uws-err……Your predictability is sooooo predictable. Humorless, pathetic and too easy to bait.
I’d tell you to get a life, but what would be the point in that?
to those suggesting a return to something that sounds like ‘gentility’, i suggest the following:
• when you visit, bring a thermos of tea, coffee, or other, and a lovely sandwich–the kind you make better than any you could buy;
• too much room dedicated to children? how can that be? we love our children, don’t we? bring soft foamy earplugs for the worst of noisy times like cacophony and shrieks, take them out, at other times;
also, consider moving—books and all—to a different floor when the children act up.
• continue to whisper at all times. NEVER talk aloud. ever.
• continue to respect the library with respect for the institution, continue to hold it in high regard and complimemt the clerks—maybe your action will serve as the ‘spark’ needed for the beginning of some change.
A library is meant to be a community gathering spot focused on enjoying the written word. You want IT help and web access? Try taking a class at a local college or enjoy the free wifi at, among other places, the Starbucks one block west of the St. Agnes Branch. As for children? I second Geoff’s recommendations.
I actually stopped going to this branch because it seemed to cater more to small children and their nannies. Everyone else is verboten.
I have been to 10+ NYPL branches and they all have 1 floor for children, 1 floor for adults, and meeting/community space (sometimes separate floor, sometimes not). The difference at St Agnes is that, unlike most branches, the children are on the first floor. So you might have to actually *gasp* see children on your way in or out. Reading a *gasp* book. Or doing *gasp* their homework. Or using a computer. *gasp*
On the adult floor (easily accessible by stairs or elevator, although granted you might pass a child while en route to the elevator) (*double gasp*), there are desktop computers, workspace if you bring your own, and you can borrow a laptop. Wifi is free and the 2nd floor generally is quiet.
On the third floor there is meeting space for book groups, ELA classes (I happened to see part of one last month and it was packed and wonderful), science programs, movies, and, yes, computer classes. Granted, the computers at St Agnes are not the latest models (no flat screens, oh the horror) but they seem to do the job. Until some generous soul (per the Supreme Court, corporations are people now) donates new computers, we have to make do.
In the basement they have a fantastic book sale once a month and it is possible that you might be so lucky as to find one of Off Duty’s treasures.
And you do realize that reading and early exposure to books is central to children’s development? And that if today’s kids do not develop an appreciation for books, there will be no books in 20 years. And that DOE no longer funds librarians and many schools have eliminated libraries. School libraries only exist through parent fundraising. Which many schools struggle with (even some on the UWS). So having books available at St Agnes, and having children in the library, is a very good thing.
The first floor is often full of kids. The second is adults-only. So not sure what you’re talking about.
All that noise isn’t very welcoming when you first walk in and those stairs.
Oh well, can’t please everyone!
Also, contrary to statements above, there are actually several rows of computer terminals stuffed into this branch and they are always mobbed.
Actually food should not be in the library. People spill things, get food on books. Also on the floor, oftentimes undetected. Impossible for the library to maintain.
Sadly cannot count on folks to be respectful, to do the right thing.
A cafe would be a disaster.
Why not have a cafe? Barnes & Noble have one. Shakespeare &Co. had one. People used to read books and magazines in these stores all the time. Why not a library?!!
I was there on Thursday and an employee showed us photos of the fire which was isolated to the children’s 1st floor bathroom. It happened around closing time the night before when people were still inside around 5pm. He guessed that it may have been started on purpose by an angry patron but that was unclear.
The FDNY’s Fire Marshalls are actually among some of the more competent of municipal employees, so I expect that they already know who the culprit is. I’d put my money on a “homeless” vagrant who was probably tolerated as a regular patron out of some misguided sense of liberal stupidity.