Mott Haven Library

🏢 New York Public Library — The Bronx, New York

Mott Haven Library

The oldest library building in the Bronx, Mott Haven Library opened in 1905 as part of Andrew Carnegie's city-wide endowment — its landmark brick-and-limestone facade on East 140th Street still stands as a testament to the belief that public knowledge belongs to every neighborhood.

📖 About Mott Haven Library

<p>Mott Haven Library, open to the public since 1905, is the oldest library building in the Bronx. Designed by the architectural firm Babb, Cook &amp; Willard — who also shaped several of the Carnegie branches across New York City — the building was constructed with funds from Andrew Carnegie's landmark 1899 gift of $5.2 million to build branch libraries throughout the five boroughs. Its brick and limestone structure was declared an official New York City landmark in 1969, recognizing both its architectural merit and its place in Bronx history. The branch serves the South Bronx neighborhood of Mott Haven, a community founded in 1849 by industrialist Jordan Lawrence Mott that grew into a dense working-class enclave and today is experiencing significant revitalization.</p>

⭐ What makes this branch special

• Oldest library building in the Bronx — open continuously since 1905
• Carnegie library designed by Babb, Cook & Willard, funded by Andrew Carnegie's 1899 $5.2 million city-wide endowment
• Designated an official New York City landmark in 1969 for its historic brick-and-limestone architecture
• Teen Center with an audio recording studio, smart board, digital resources, and tech equipment
• Third-floor community room available for group meetings — a gathering space embedded in a century-old landmark building

📱 Free with a New York Public Library Card

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.