The giving tree

The Mid-Manhattan branch of the New York Public Library was always the sadsack flagship of the system. Across the street from the famous research library, with its two iconic lions, it was dank, dirty, cluttered, confusing and depressing. Columbia grad Barack Obama used it to find his first job, but few had real cause to appreciate it.

Now it’s getting an extreme makeover, remade into a beautiful and productive and open-to-all space for learning — with the help of a just-announced $55 million gift, the second largest in the NYPL’s storied, pun intended, history.

The cash comes from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, a Greek charitable giver. The Niarchos name will also grace the library.

It’s an act of extreme generosity that will enrich and uplift thousands. Thank you.