New York Public Library Ends 42nd St. Renovation Plans

Shelf Awareness

Calling the decision a "striking about-face," the New York Times reported that the New York Public Library "has abandoned its controversial plan to turn part of its research flagship on 42nd Street into a circulating library and instead will renovate the Mid-Manhattan library on Fifth Avenue."

"When the facts change, the only right thing to do as a public-serving institution is to take a look with fresh eyes and see if there is a way to improve the plans and to stay on budget," said Library president Tony Marx.

The Times described the change as "something of a defeat for the library, which had long defended its plan against a roster of prominent scholars and authors who said the introduction of the circulating library in the research building would diminish its capacities as a center for scholarship."