The Cortelyou Library Is Open!
The Cortelyou Library opened at 10am today after five months of renovations, and it looks great inside. They’re easing back into it, so please be patient as more and more becomes available, but for now there’s plenty to check out, including:
Self check-out machines–Scan your card, scan your materials, take your receipt, and you’re good to go.
Book return slot–makes it easier to simply drop off a book, without waiting in line. It is inside, though, not outside. Steven Lamonea, Neighborhood Library Supervisor at the Cortelyou Branch, explained that it’s a little difficult to have the slot on the outside. “For example, over long weekends, it could get really overloaded,” he said. What he didn’t mention, but what could clearly be an issue, is that they risk having the slot, and all the items inside it, trashed if it were outside.
Better layout, more materials–The main desk is now in the center, and suddenly the whole library seems much larger. The space is more economical, and how the materials are organized reflects that. There are more DVDs, which are one of the biggest draws at the library, and the Russian and Spanish language films are now grouped with the books in those languages. In the coming weeks, there will be more new releases on the bookshelves, and the periodical subscriptions will be back.
As for programming, the Cortelyou Library Friends Group will be figuring out their schedule shortly, and we’ll let you know what to expect. Steven said they’ve been “an unbelievably wonderful addition” to the branch, and that he’s looking forward all the programming that the space can allow. And we’ll have to wait for hot (and cold) weather to see how the new HVAC system and broiler work.
As for the repainted metal sculptures outside, there’s no more mystery to it than sprucing them up.
Once everyone is settled in, they’ll have some kind of celebration. We’ll keep you posted. For now, here are their hours, stop in and welcome them back!
Monday, 10am-6pm
Tuesday, 10am-6pm
Wednesday, 10am-8pm
Thursday, 10am-6pm
Friday, 10am-6pm
Saturday, 10am-5pm
Sunday, closed
