Our friend Eric Ferrara at the Lower East Side History Project sends a reminder that the Ottendorfer Library on Second Ave., the oldest branch in the NYPL system, celebrates its 125th anniversary today. He notes:

Built in 1884, the Ottendorfer library is one of the Lower East Side’s oldest and most important institutions. It was realized through the efforts of Bavarian-immigrant Anna Ottendorfer — a remarkable woman who dedicated a large part of her life to the sick, elderly and working-poor of her adopted city.

If you have never visited this beautiful library, this will be a great chance to meet the people behind the scenes, learn about the library’s role in the community, and discover its particularly rich history.

Ferrara, author of A Guide to Gangsters, Murderers, and Weirdos of New York City’s Lower East Side, will be a featured speaker.

Ottendorfer Library
135 Second Avenue (at St. Marks Place), New York, NY 10003
6 to Astor Place, F/V to 2nd Ave, N/R to E.8th St
(212) 674-0947
FREE!