Mulberry Street Branch Library

In May 2007 the New York Public Library opened its 40th branch library in Manhattan and 87th within the NYPL system: the striking new $6.1 million Mulberry Street Branch Library, located at 10 Jersey Street, between Mulberry and Lafayette.1 Just south of Houston, the Mulberry Branch Street Library is the first branch to open in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan—a neighborhood historically known as the Cast Iron District.2

The Mulberry Street Branch Library “fills the ground floor and two underground levels of an 1886 building” that used to be the Hawley & Hoops candy factory.”3 Designed by the architecture firm Rogers Marvel, much of the old factory's elements were kept to maintain its historical character. “Soaring cast iron columns, dramatically lit underground vaults, brick archways, and massive wood beams are among the original architectural features ….”. 4

However, the space was renovated to house a broad range of resources, “including extensive collections and an advanced infrastructure for library technology.”5

The 12,000 square-foot, three-level library has an extensive collection of 32,655 adult, young adult, and children’s books, DVDs, audio recordings, and other resources including 28 public access computers, wireless Internet access, and a user-friendly self-checkout station. In addition to English, the library also offers a selection of books in Chinese, Spanish, and Italian.6

This selection of language books reflects a special effort on the part of the library to ensure that its materials are representative of the neighborhood it serves. For example, there are a number of books in Chinese for the Chinatown community and the books in Italian are a nod to the area's Italian immigrant past. Additionally, library-card holders can order books from the library’s system by going online.7

According to Supervising Librarian, Jennifer Craft, who oversees the operations of the library, the Mulberry branch offers “resources for every age and every interest, and we want the community to know that we are here to help them with their needs for information and other resources. Whether for recreational reading, story hours, homework projects, job information, or internet access, among many other services, there is something for everyone here in our beautiful new branch."8

There are nine full-time staffers, as well as a number of other part-time and volunteer workers at the Mulberry Street Branch. The library’s hours are Monday: 12-8PM, Tuesday: 10AM-6PM, Thursday: 10AM-6PM, Friday: 1PM-6PM and Saturday: 10AM-5PM. The library is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays.9

For more information about the Mulberry Street Branch Library, please click on the following links:

1. Mulberry Street Branch Information - http://www.nypl.org/branch/local/man/mlinfo.html

2. Press Release: The New York Public Library's New Mulberry Street Branch Opens May 21 – http://www.nypl.org/press/2007/MulberrySt_opening.cfm

3. Gothamist L.L.C: Mulberry Street Public Library Branch Opens Today! - http://gothamist.com/2007/05/21/mulberry_street.php


Works Cited:

1. The New York Public Library. (2007, May 15). The New York Public Library's New Mulberry Street Branch opens May 21. In Current press releases. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from http://www.nypl.org/press/2007/MulberrySt_opening.cfm

2. The New York Public Library. (2009). Mulberry Street Branch information. In Branch history. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from http://www.nypl.org/branch/local/man/mlinfo.html

3. The New York Public Library. (2007, May 15). The New York Public Library's New Mulberry Street Branch opens May 21. In Current press releases. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from http://www.nypl.org/press/2007/MulberrySt_opening.cfm

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Chung, J. (2007). Mulberry Street Public Library Branch opens today!. Gothamist. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from http://gothamist.com/2007/05/21/mulberry_street.php

8. The New York Public Library. (2007, May 15). The New York Public Library's New Mulberry Street Branch opens May 21. In Current press releases. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from http://www.nypl.org/press/2007/MulberrySt_opening.cfm

9. Chung, J. (2007). Mulberry Street Public Library Branch opens today!. Gothamist. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from http://gothamist.com/2007/05/21/mulberry_street.php