Memphis' first library to renovate long-closed West Wing, city asking for community input

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The City of Memphis is looking for community input on the renovations to the long-closed West Wing of the city's first ever library.

The Cossitt Library, founded in 1893 through a gift of the daughters of Frederick Cossitt, was the first in what would eventually become the Memphis Public Libraries system. The original building was demolished in 1955 and replaced with what is now the East Wing, which was a prominent location for Civil Rights sit-ins in 1959.

The West Wing of the building was added in 1925 and covers an expanse of roughly 25,000 square feet through three floors and a rooftop. It's been closed to the public for decades, and only received cursory updates as other parts of the building were fully upgraded.

Now, the City of Memphis is looking to fully upgrade