Project Update

We’ve expanded on Re-envisioning Branch Libraries to submit to the Knight News Challenge, “How might we make data work for individuals and communities?“

The Knight Foundation is hosting an open call for for ideas that use data to inform and empower people to make decisions about their lives and their communities, and they are offering grants to the winning submissions. With help from our teammates at METRO, Pratt’s School of Information and Library Science, and Office:MG, we plan to empower librarians to act as data interpreters, curators, and storytellers by extending Data / City tools and training.

Anyone is welcome to provide feedback, be it a comment or a like. We’ll have an opportunity refine our submission based on your ideas and questions. Read about our project here to share your feedback.

Last week, FC Harlem representatives stood alongside executives, manager and first team players from their sponsor Chelsea Football Club to announce the launch of the iconic new Blue Pitch training facility in Harlem that will serve as a revolutionary, year-round community hub for local youth soccer players. Our design for the site, located on 145th Street and Riverside Drive, will completely regenerate the land under the Henry Hudson Highway and will be an anchor venue to support FC Harlem and other community programs year-round. Construction is due to begin in early 2016.

The two teams, with support from the rest of FC Harlem’s sponsors, celebrated the dedication with a 2v2 tournament in Harlem. Check out the recent news coverage below for more photos and details. Action shot courtesy of the FC Harlem Lions.

FC Harlem & Adidas Welcome CFC to NYC — Soccer Bible

Chelsea FC Dedicates “Blue Pitch” Site for FC Harlem Training Ground — The Original Winger

We were thrilled to hear that SCAPE, our landscape architect for the Glen Oaks Branch Library, has won a Merit Award for the library’s public plaza. The American Society of Landscape Architects awarded SCAPE for the porous public plaza that catches, stores, and recycles rainwater. Congrats!

On Monday, January 12, Karen, along with James Lima and Leah Meisterlin, gave a follow up presentation of our Re-envisioning Branch Libraries proposal at The New School.

The full report is now available for download on the Architectural League of New York website.  The League has also posted a full video of the original presentations; be sure to check it out!

On Thursday, December 4, Architecture League of New York and Center for an Urban Future hosted presentations and panel discussions of the Re-Envisioning Branch Libraries studies.  Karen, along with James Lima and Leah Meisterlin presented our proposal to use data to inform system-wide policy and zoning changes, along with design excellence, to foster community enriching co-developments on new and existing library sites.

Our panel was made up of Vicki Been – Commissioner, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Michelle de la Uz – Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee, Mark Dempsey – President, Philip H. Corboy Foundation, David Kramer – Principal, Hudson Companies, and Brad Lander – Council Member, New York City Council.  The panel discussion was moderated by Jonathan Bowles – Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future.

Our proposal was also featured in the article, “Modern Public Libraries Might Help Renters Afford NYC,” by Brady Dale for Next City.

Karen, James, and Leah will be giving a follow up presentation on Monday, January 12, at 6:30pm, hosted by The School of Media Studies at The New School at the Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, in Arnhold Hall.  We hope to see you there!  And be sure to stay tuned for more news about Branch Libraries moving forward — keep an eye out for more #libraryideas on twitter!