APL HOWE BRANCH TO GET NEW PARK

Closure Required While Work is Done on Adjoining Property 12/29-12/31

We're putting up a park at our Howe Branch! 

This project requires us to close Howe, at Schuyler and Broad streets in the South End, on Dec. 29-31 (Tues-Thurs) so we can do work on an adjoining property. The closure is for the convenience and safety of patrons and staff. 

We are doing work on the neighboring property in preparation for the new park, which will be completed and open to the public in the spring. Before it was renovated in 2009, the Howe Branch included a very popular "Peace Park" that was used by the library for programming. The new park will be a gated greenspace that can be used by library patrons and the neighborhood, just like the original. 

All of our other branches will be open while Howe is closed this week, so we hope you'll visit one of them, or use our online eLibrary. 

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we make improvements to the Howe Branch property!

Grand opening: Howe Library

Stolen feiom Stephanie Simon, APL

More than 1,000 people converged on 105 Schuyler Street in Albany's South End on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated John A. Howe Branch Library. The 81-year-old building had been closed for 18 months during a $5.2 million renovation project. APL staff and leaders were delighted to share the grand opening day with the community that has been so supportive of this building for so many years.

Some highlights of the Howe Branch Library grand opening party were:
*A welcome ceremony with Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings, Library Board of Trustees President Dennis Gaffney, and Library Executive Director Carol Nersinger
*Ribbon-cutting by South End neighborhood and Giffen Memorial Elementary School children
*Gift presentation to the library by members of Siena College's 21st Century Leaders Society, which has been raising money for the Howe Library for several years

In case you missed the festivities, this story from Your News Now captured some of the highlights.

Features of the New Howe Library

The newly renovated Howe Branch Library has been restored to its original 1929 beauty and grandeur. The $5.2 million library renovation project was designed by CS Arch, built by Bunkoff General Contractors, and managed by the Dormitory Authority of New York State. The 12,000-square-foot Howe Branch Library features:
· 30,000-piece collection of new books, DVDs, CDs, audio books, magazines, and more
· 16 public access computers and building-wide Wi-Fi
· Separate spaces, collections, and computers for adults, teens, and children
· Two community meeting rooms and two small-group study rooms
· Energy efficient and cost effective "green" systems and construction
· A rear addition housing an elevator, stairs, restrooms, and ground-floor book drop
· Restored historic windows that offer expansive views and natural light
· Refinished original woodwork, shelving, and benches
Three down, two more to go. Our all-new branch libraries open very soon. The John J. Bach Branch Library on New Scotland Avenue celebrates its grand opening on May 15, and the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch Library on Henry Johnson Boulevard has its party on June 12. Mark your calendars for these great neighborhood celebrations!

Howe Library Grand Opening

Swiped from Stephanie Simon

This free community party on March 27 features entertainment, refreshments, and giveaways for the whole family. The 71-year-old Howe Branch Library is at 105 Schuyler Street in Albany's South End.

Some highlights of party include:
* 1:30 p.m. Welcome ceremony with library leaders and elected officials and a ribbon cutting by neighborhood children
* 2 p.m. Vocal performance by Albany middle-schooler Arielle Patterson-King
* 2:30 p.m. Performance by Giffen Elementary School choral group
* 2 to 3:30p.m. Balloon animals by Mr. Magicman

Throughout the afternoon, partygoers will enjoy:
* Fun library giveaways and craft activities for kids
* Free books for children provided by the Junior League of Albany through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
* Refreshments and cake generously provided by hospitality sponsor Price Chopper

What's Different at Howe?

The newly renovated Howe Branch Library has been restored to its original 1929 beauty and grandeur. The $5.2 million library renovation project was designed by CS Arch, built by Bunkoff General Contractors, and managed by the Dormitory Authority of New York State. The 11,500-square-foot Howe Branch Library features:

* 30,000-piece collection of new books, DVDs, CDs, audio books, magazines, and more
* 16 public access computers and building-wide Wi-Fi
* Separate spaces, collections, and computers for adults, teens, and children
* Two community meeting rooms and two small-group study rooms
* Energy efficient and cost effective "green" systems and construction
* A rear addition housing an elevator, stairs, restrooms, and ground-floor book drop
* Restored historic windows that offer expansive views and natural light
* Refinished original woodwork, shelving, and benches

Howe Grand Opening Party

Swiped from Stephanie Simon, APL:

We're just two weeks away now. The Howe Branch Library grand opening celebration is Saturday, March 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. Please make plans to join us for this great community party. We'll have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. and family entertainment from 2 to 3:30 p.m. We'll also have free library giveaways and refreshments (courtesy of Price Chopper, the generous hospitality sponsor of all five branch library grand opening celebrations).

Patrons Get Sneak Peek at Howe Library

Swiped from Stephanie Simon, APL


More than 70 library supporters got a sneak preview of the newly renovated Howe Branch Library on March 4 as part of a fundraiser hosted by the APL Foundation. Party-goers enjoyed champagne (donated by Delaware Plaza Wine & Liquor), chocolate (courtesy of Cravings), and strawberries (donated by Hannaford and the Madison Fruit Garden). They also dined on hors d'oeuvres donated by South End neighborhood restaurants (V&R Ristorante, Café Capriccio, and Lombardo's). Attendees were entertained by a duo from the Capital Chamber Artists. Patrons toured the refurbished library, noting such wonderful features as: the Rip Van Winkle Moravian tile fireplace in the children's room, original quarter-sawn oak bookcases and woodwork, glass room dividers (called for in the original 1920s design, but never installed), and the new addition housing an elevator and bathrooms. The party was a wonderful way to help us kick off our Howe opening celebrations.

Restored, not replaced

In the agreement reached by the Albany Public Library, Historic Albany Foundation, and Mansion Neighborhood Associatio, renovation plans for the John A. Howe branch Library in Albany's South End will include the restoration of many of the original windows in this historic 1920's-era branch library.

"We're really delighted to have reached an accord on this issue", says Tim Burke, Interim Library Director

APL to Restore Historic Howe Windows