Designated: June 15, 2021
The Harlem Branch was built with funding from Andrew Carnegie. The building was constructed between 1907 to 1909 in the Classical Revival Style by the architecture firm McKim, Mead & White. The building features a limestone facade on a low granite base with large recessed arched openings on the first two stories. The third story windows are flatheaded with simple surrounds. The second and third story feature two-story tall pilasters with Corinthian capitals. The cornice is denticulated and the building features the words “New York Public Library” carved into the frieze. The words are separated with open books and a fleur-de-lis details. As a free circulating library, the Harlem Branch of the New York Public Library, has contributed to the intellectual advancement of the many communities that have lived in Harlem since the building was completed in 1909.