Library News

Library's Overdue Add-On's On

BY JOYCE SHELBY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, December 22th 2004, 7:14AM

A PROJECT begun at the Brooklyn Public Library 92 years ago is finally about to be completed.

Within the next two months, construction will begin on an underground auditorium that was planned when the Grand Army Plaza Library was built in 1912.

"The hole for the auditorium was dug," Ginnie Cooper, executive director of Brooklyn Public Library, said. "They poured the concrete for the entire building - and then they stopped."

There wasn't enough money in the budget for the auditorium, Cooper said. Library construction was completed in 1941, using a new design that didn't call for an auditorium.

To complete the project, the library has raised $2 million from private sources, and expects to raise $2 million more for the $16 million project, which also includes a new plaza for the library. The rest of the money comes from government sources.

The auditorium will seat 200 and will have a sloped floor, a fixed stage and a video screen.

Cooper envisions conversations with authors, panel discussions and small music presentations.

To reach the underground construction site, the present plaza in front of the library will have to be removed. And it will be renovated, Cooper said.

"There will be new lighting, wheelchair accessibility and a new stone floor.

"The current one is cracked and leaking," Cooper said.

The plaza will have a performance space, a kiosk that will sell sodas and coffee, and small fountains to reduce traffic noise.

"Better lighting and other enhancements will make the plaza a wonderful place to hang out," Cooper said.

Starting early next year, a construction fence will go up around the front entrance of the library.

Signs will point visitors to the Eastern Parkway entrance, which will serve as the main entrance for about a year.

The entire project will take 18 months to complete, Cooper said, adding, "We want everyone to know the library will be open during the entire construction period." jshelby@nydailynews.com

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