UPPER EAST SIDE — The 96th Street branch of the New York Public Library will reopen in just a few weeks, after nearly eight months of renovations.
The branch closed in early January for upgrades that included new air conditioning units, hot water pumps, pipes, a web-based temperature control system, fire prevention units and sprinklers. The work was initially supposed to be done in July, but the reopening was pushed back to the fall and is now expected within the next couple of weeks, a library spokeswoman said.
The 96th Street branch serves a large crowd of bookworms: In 2012, it drew almost 210,000 visitors.
Until the branch reopens, 96th Street regulars are encouraged to go to the Aguilar Library on 110th Street and the Yorkville Library on East 79th Street. Both branches' hours were temporarily extended to accommodate the displaced library-goers.
The city's Department of Design and Construction, which was in charge of the project, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
