Schomburg Ctr. for Research in Black Culture

Last paper for Cataloging class and I pick the Schomburg because it is three blocks from my apt. in Harlem and I pass it every day, every day that is which I take the 2,3 or head downtown on Lenox. And it is tied to the Countee Cullen which is my library, the one that I patronize the most by trying to keep up with my late fees. I have been in the Schomburg before, actually last semester when I had an into to reference course. The outside, the skeleton, of the structure is almost entirely of glass; panes stretch over almost all the building. During the day it gives a clean impression, but at night, the panes on the first floor are lit up by monitors, and the library sort of scintillates. It is definitely part and parcel of the beautification movement in Harlem, especially as it pertains to refurbishing, updating the hulls of more-than-slightly-used municipal buildings. Also, the Schomburg is right across the street from Harlem Hospital, and the pair of buildings form a nice concordance of concrete and metal. Especially, since a nice row of trees greets the visitor as she walks into the building. I know the Schomburg has already been integrated into the life of this community because I often see a line outside, of impeccably dressed African-Americans, making the cue for some event or promotion.
Inside the library, the facilities are pretty amazing. They have at least 14 computers and a reference island that is the first thing you see when you come out of the elevator. In the back, there is one of the copy stations used by the NYPL and several microfiche readers. But it is the atrium library that is the real gem. Inside there is an amazing mural depicting what I forget, but it is stunning, I remember. And all over the walls there are books you can pull straight from the shelf, and alot of them are kind of fragile, or just kind of old and musty.