Photos: Harlem's Schomburg Center Completes $22M Renovation

HARLEM, NY — The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem celebrated the completion of a two-year, $22.3 million renovation project this week. Several areas of the research library — located on Malcolm X Boulevard near West 135th Street — have been reopened to the public.

Areas of all three buildings that make up the Schomburg Center — the Schomburg Building, the Langston Hughes Building, and the Landmark Building — were improved during the renovation project, New York Public Library officials said in a statement.

"The future was already bright at the Schomburg, as we were named a National Historic Landmark earlier this year, and with our updated and upgraded spaces, it looks even brighter now," Schomburg Director Kevin Young said in a statement.

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Upgrades to the Schomburg Center include:

• Complete renovation of the Landmark Building, which includes new research space, gallery space, staff space and conditioned storage for collections;
• Renovation of the Rare Books Reading Room on the second floor of the Schomburg Building;
• An exterior signage system that connects what’s happening inside the Schomburg to the surrounding community;
• Construction of a two-story annex that includes a new expanded gift shop at ground level and conference room on second floor;
• Improvements to the Langston Hughes Auditorium, including a state-of-the-art sound system;
• Replacement of roofs on both the Landmark and Langston Hughes’ Buildings;
• Upgrades to building systems, including HVAC air distribution, fire alarms, and security.

"The Schomburg Center’s impact is immeasurable in both its scale and importance, and its mission to preserve and protect history and spark real discussion is arguably more important than ever before," NYPL President Tony Marx said in a statement. "The Schomburg is a unique, irreplaceable, beloved global treasure in the heart of Harlem. We are so proud to provide this amazing staff, our patrons, and the materials held here with the inspiring spaces that they need and deserve."

Check out photos of the Schomburg Center's improved facilities below:

All photos courtesy of the New York Public Library