Was it really a fire that gutted the third floor? Welcome to the Melrose Library. Standing here at the corner of Morris Avenue and East 162nd Street, you’re facing a building with a fascinating past. This library is a cornerstone of the Melrose area in the South Bronx.
Melrose Library has stood here since January 14, 1914. Carrère & Hastings designed it. Edwin Outwater built it. It was one of thirteen Carnegie branch libraries designed by this firm. It was the fifth Carnegie library in the Bronx.
Originally, the Melrose Library was a grand four-story structure. It encompassed nearly 29,000 square feet. However, a major rehabilitation project in 1959 changed its appearance drastically. Bloch & Hesse Architects oversaw this renovation. The upper floors were removed. The library transformed into more of a mid-century modern style.
The renovation significantly altered the building’s facade. Window and door openings were resized. Original wooden windows were replaced with aluminum ones. The street facades were refaced. The interior also underwent extensive changes. The original electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems were replaced.
The cost of the site in 1914 was $20,000. The library construction cost a total of $122,974. Edwin Outwater only constructed this Carnegie branch library. Today, it isn’t a designated landmark.
The library’s exterior features red brick laid in a common bond. Limestone trim and a granite base add to its classical revival design. The entrance facade is four bays wide with an offset entrance. Two shallow concrete steps lead to the entrance. The doors are non-historic aluminum double doors with circular windows. A large rectangular transom sits above. A historic limestone panel above the entrance reads “NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY”.
Originally, library patrons entered through double wood and glazed paneled doors. A round-arched transom was above. Brass hardware embellished the doors. Brass light fixtures flanked the entrance.
Inside the Melrose Library, a small entrance hall leads to a generous reading room. The original circulation stair remains. It has decorative cast iron rails, a wooden railing, and marble steps. Many original elements still exist. These include portions of the marble floor and areas of the plaster ceiling. The second-floor reading room features original beams. Plaster-faced columns with molded capitals painted a non-historic yellow color are visible.
In recent years, the Melrose Library underwent a four-year renovation. A $167 million city plan funded upgrades to five public libraries. $34 million went to the Melrose Library. The upgrades included a teen center, technology access, and ADA accessibility. There were also renovations to create spaces for adults, children, and teens.
Today, the Melrose Library is a busy and active branch. It occupies almost 10,000 square feet. It offers separate reading rooms for children and adults. The Melrose Library offers books, Wi-Fi, computers, classes, programs, and much more for all ages. The Library no longer charges late fines. You can explore e-books, e-audiobooks, and digital collections for free with your library card.
The Melrose Library stands as a testament to the enduring importance of libraries. It’s a place for learning, community, and growth in the heart of the Bronx. It opens every day except Sundays. It welcomes everyone from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.