The New York Public Library reopened its 67th Street Branch yesterday after a $3 million refurbishment that added new technological resources, redesigned underused space, and restored original architectural details.

The 14,000-square-foot library, located between First and Second avenues, now provides wireless Internet access throughout the building. There are now 22 new computers for public use, an elevator, and more restrooms. The third floor, previously used for storage and little else, has been transformed into a multipurpose community room and a technology training center. The branch closed for renovations in December 2003.

“That’s what a library is going to be today: a place with lots and lots of books, services for children, a helpful staff to provide information. Also, libraries are going to be smart places where technology is ubiquitous … and provides access to mass communication,” the president of the New York Public Library, Paul LeClerc, said at the opening.

Such goals reinforce one another, library officials said.

“Lots of people come for the technology, and there’s tremendous crossover use. As our technology use increases, out circulation goes up,” the director and chief executive of the Branch Libraries, Susan Kent, told The New York Sun.

The 67th Street Branch, designed by the architectural firm Babb, Cook & Willard, was built in 1905 with funds provided by Andrew Carnegie. It was the first branch library that the New York Public Library opened directly; it had acquired previous branches by consolidating with several independent, free libraries.

Maintaining the original Renaissance-revival architecture was one of the projects top priorities. The original staircase and its decorative iron railing have been restored, as have the library’s mosaic tile floors.

“One of the key elements of this beaux-art architecture was to enforce the significance of reading,” Mr. LeClerc told the Sun. “These beautiful, dignified buildings make us feel important to be here.”

The 67th Street Branch is second library renovation to be completed this week. On Monday the Columbus Branch, located on Tenth Avenue between 50th and 51st streets, reopened after a $2.5 million refurbishment. The branch has been closed since February 2004.

Money for both projects was designated by the City Council.

The 67th Street Branch refurbishment is the eighth recent library project to be completed; another six are in the works.

The speaker of the council, Gifford Miller, who represents the Upper East Side community the library serves, also spoke at the reopening, as did several other library and city officials.

A group of first-graders from P.S. 183 presented the library with a book they wrote and illustrated containing thoughts on what libraries mean to them. “Libraries are good for your brain,” one entry read.