Recalling childhood memories fills my mind as I stand before the Parkchester Library. This library has been a cornerstone of the Parkchester community since 1942. Originally, it was located within the Parkchester Housing Development. In June 1985, the Parkchester Library moved to its current location on Westchester Avenue.
The Parkchester Library serves a diverse, multi-ethnic neighborhood. It welcomes many immigrants from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Africa, and the Middle East. As you can see, the library is a single-level brick building. It features a semi-circular facade creating a recessed courtyard. This design is not only inviting but also award-winning. The sculptured animals in the courtyard won the 1984 Annual New York City Art Commission Award.
Stepping inside, you will find a 7500 square foot interior. The Parkchester Library is fully air-conditioned making it a comfortable space year-round. It is also fully accessible to persons who use wheelchairs. This ensures everyone can enjoy the library’s resources.
The Parkchester Library’s history is intertwined with the New York Public Library system. The NYPL worked with The New York Free Circulating Library to circulate free books. Steel baron Andrew Carnegie provided funding to construct branch libraries throughout the boroughs. The NYPL later contracted with New York City to operate branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Growing up near the Parkchester Library instilled ethics of empowerment and responsibility in many children. The library offered a sense of community to immigrant children. It became a place where they felt included and could make friends.
The building is southwardly oriented. It directly faces the 6 train station. The library has an open floor plan. The layout is defined by the furniture like bookshelves, computers, desks, tables, and chairs. The first floor is primarily for teenagers and young adults. The second floor is a dedicated space for children. The amenities provided for children are in no way inferior to those given to the first floor. The library was a space where many children felt older and more mature than their years.
The Parkchester Library stands out on Westchester Avenue with its red brick construction. Its south facade is covered in glass. This lets in daylight and prevents users from feeling isolated from the city. Beyond the metal gates is a sculpture garden. The double doors lead to the lobby space.
For many children, a library card was their first “card”. It granted them significant power within the library. It gave them rights to a space they could occupy and reign as king. The walk to the library also reinforced a sense of maturity.
Inside, the space is open and broken only by large columns. The layout is determined by bookshelves and tables. In the children’s section, kids read, sleep, talk, play games, and do homework. They had access to books, computers, and movies. The library was almost a second school without the homework. Making friends helped children become more comfortable communicating.
The Parkchester Library requires a checkout for book distributions. This process can be daunting for a child. However, it is also an act of independence and accomplishment.
The Parkchester Library remains a core of the Parkchester community. It provides tools for the city’s youth and those young at heart. It is a place where convenience does not diminish the thrill of holding a physical book. The screen can never replace the texture of the pages, the smell of the cover, or the weight of the book in one’s hand.
The Parkchester Library of yesterday had more stacks and less space. However, the arrangement created more intimate sections. The library provided free access to computers and a steady internet connection at the turn of the twenty-first century. The Parkchester Library matters to children and the entire Parkchester community. It’s a place where knowledge, community, and personal growth come together.