Washington Heights & Inwood Online

The public libraries of Washington Heights and Inwood have played an important role in serving a community of multi-ethnic groups. Many of these residents rely on the branch libraries for reading material that they would not get anywhere else. The reference rooms within these libraries are bastions of learning that provide magazines, newspapers, periodicals and historical books that are virtually unattainable to the public at large except at educational institutions.

These branch libraries serve as a haven for immigrants who speak little or no English. Books in foreign languages and in English help these people learn what life is like in their new surroundings. English classes are taught as a second language at some of these branch libraries to help them become integrated into the American way of life.

The construction of the buildings for the New York Public Library were initially funded, in part, by the Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. Other Monies came from the Carnegie Foundation, which was a substantial boost for the system.

The Fort Washington Branch has one outstanding feature resulting from these funds. As a part of the Carnegie Gift, a balcony was installed that offers more shelf space for reading material as well as a panoramic view of the main floor.

The site known as Carnegie Site #38 was approved and the title vested on December 29, 1911. The dimensions of the Fort Washington Branch are 50 by 100 feet, and it has four floors. It was designed by Walter Cook and Winthrop A. Welch and was constructed by the William L. Crow Construction Company at a cost of $115,000. The building’s exterior is covered with Indiana limestone.

The branch has been a haven for many people since it opened on April 15, 1914. Some of the branch’s most prestigious borrowers were former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, author Gloria Naylor, television journalist Edwin Newman, Ralph Ellison, Tiny Tim and author William Gibson. Other noted personalities who used the branch were Lou Gehrig, Marianne Moore, Maria Callas and Jacob Javits. In 1945 the Branch Librarian reported that poet Louise Bogan was a frequent visitor at Fort Washington.

In 1936 a stage was built in the basement under the auspices of the WPA. The auditorium had 215 seats. The following year the branch had a resident theater troupe called the Fort Washington Players, which was organized to give plays by residents of Washington Heights and Inwood at the branch. By April 1942 the troupe had disbanded. Other events were also held at the branch in the auditorium.

The stage and auditorium were dismantled in 1949, and the space became the Reference Room, which was moved from the third floor to the basement. It has the most extensive collection of reference materials in northern Manhattan. The Children’s Reading Room has the second-highest circulation in the city.

On April 15, 1989, the Fort Washington Branch celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Through the efforts of the branch’s Support Group, a banner was designed for the occasion. Dignitaries including then Mayor Edward Koch and other elected officials attended the gala occasion. Readings of poetry and prose and music were a part of the festivities, as were a tour of the building and a historical exhibit of the branch and the community. The Support Group of Fort Washington is also active in the interests of the library and its surrounding area to make the public aware of the New York Public Library and its branches.

The New York Public Library celebrated its centennial on May 20th 1995. There was a year-long celebration throughout the system, which culminated on May 20th, 1996, when the Fort Washington Branch celebrated its 82nd anniversary of service to the public.

Many of the ongoing programs at the Fort Washington Branch involve the neighborhood. The branch has exhibit space for local artists and art groups. There are 12 exhibits at Fort Washington. The branch co-sponsored with School District 6 an essay contest on Latino Heritage. Literacy Classes for Spanish-speaking people are held at Fort Washington, as well as ESL classes.

During branch hours there is an ongoing book sale. Monies from this sale go toward the purchase of new material for the branch, such as new books and magazine subscriptions for the Reference Room. Computers are available for Internet and non-Internet use.

The Fort Washington Branch is located at 535 West 179th Street between Saint Nicholas and Audubon Avenues. For information about branch services and hours, call (212) 927-3533 or log onto the New York Public Library’s Web site.