About
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 22 October 2016
Opening Hours
- Monday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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14 Reviews
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27 November 2017
I can’t believe I hadn’t been here, as a native New Yorker until recently. Such beautiful architecture inside and out.
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13 November 2017
I spent an incredible ten years at the Rose House in manhattan. I understand where you have a Croxton contemporary architects. Check out Sam E Studio creations for verification.Volunteers of America 8450331 Gold Leaf stationers.
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20 October 2017
Im giving this library as a tourist report onlyI have no idea how the library functions but even to visit this beautiful building is a must. The staff we did talk to were very friendly. GORGEOUS building to just admire and say you've been there!
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03 October 2017
In 1923, just 12 years after The New York Public Library opened its flagship building, Harry Miller Lydenberg chronicled a detailed history of the events which sparked NYPL's creation. Lydenberg, then NYPL's Chief Reference Librarian, was to become a future American Library Association President (1932-1933) and NYPL Director (1934-1941) in upcoming years.
The History of the New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations provides a thorough account of 19th century New York City libraries, their consolidation into a unified system, and the construction of NYPL’s central library (now known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building).
Prominently discussed are the Astor Library, Lenox Library, and Tilden Trust, among other pre-NYPL libraries. Along with the comprehensive histories of these libraries, readers will find photos, illustrations, personal correspondence, newspaper excerpts, and details of the libraries’ collections and operations.
New York City in the 19th century saw a stark distinction between the popular library (for the people) and the scholar’s library (for the student), with Lydenberg noting that they seemingly belonged to “two irreconcilable categories.” Many libraries’ collections throughout this period did not offer popular reading material and were “likened to the academies of the select and opulent few,” rather than existing for public use.
In the History of the NYPL, Lydenberg features media criticism (including drawings and skits) which illustrate the public's opinion of the city's libraries.
For example, views of the Lenox Library (where visitors needed to apply to the Library Superintendent for admission) were portrayed through an 1884 issue of Life, jesting:
“But I thought you said it was a public library? So I did. Then how can you keep people out? By locking the doors. But why? To keep the pretty books from being spoiled. Why! Who would spoil the pretty books? The public. How? By reading them.”
These views necessitated the creation of a city-wide free public library with collections extensive enough to serve a large metropolitan population of every class and reading ability. The New York Public Library was the result of this demand.
Lydenburg not only presents the need for a city wide public library system, but provides interesting insight into the planning and design of the NYPL—particularly the central building. Readers will travel step-by-step through the construction of the building, from the demolition of the Croton Reservoir (previously the site of the NYPL) to the library’s opening day.
While consolidation of existing libraries began in 1895, the central library did not open its doors until 1911. On its opening day it was observed that the crowd was "so large to defy counting.” Visitors were estimated at 30,000-50,000, with 1,800 registered for library cards by the second day.response / report this review -
08 August 2017
Great BIG quiet library..lots of pc's and laptopsclasses amd stays open late
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15 July 2017
Very nice and beautiful library, staffs are very friendly. We went to kids section and received very friendly service and the staff was willing to track down a book for us.
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18 May 2017
Great architecture and atmosphere. Good place to relax and get away from the hustle on the busy NYC streets.
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16 April 2017
Diverse selection and huge space. However, homeless people tend to bombard any setting that is public and then they hang out 24/7 and dump out in their pants and ask for money/cigs/food with a variety of different reasons. Outside is beautiful though and cool place to kick it with a crispy book.
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07 April 2017
Beautiful architecture in the one on the west side. The smaller building across the street I didn't go to.. not sure if they have different names or not? Anyways, cool building to check out.
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06 January 2017
The library is a good one but the computer using policy is really bad. The whole day only one time can be use!!! This is not a nice policy!! The authority should review the policy.
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02 January 2017
I don't think the security guards should bother people if they want to take a sleep. They from an agency anyway. I love the laptops. They don't want u to drink a soda.
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09 December 2016
It is not as grand or beautiful as its counterpart Stephen Schwarzman Building across the street but its collection is probably as huge and diverse. It's spacious and bright but it looks and feels dated. Restrooms are not the cleanest.
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05 December 2016
Hours are good, open early to late however this is a very low quality library as far as the cleanliness. I recommend the NYPL Performing Arts if your looking for a much cleaner library to study in.
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29 October 2016
Okay. The library has 5 floors and is open til' "11pm" but floors 3-5 close at 10:45. They kick most people out anyway before 11pm like 10:55 latest.
Something that does annoy me is the staff DOES NOT let you sleep there at all. I understand a lot of homeless people go there to just sleep but the library has plenty of room. Let them sleep. As a student I go there so I can not be distracted at home and at times have fell asleep cramming as is not abnormal for a student to. It's not fun being woken up by knocking on a table so if you wanna take a nap you'll have to go somewhere else or sneak one in. It's using some of the tactics I've seen people come up with. It's a PUBLIC library. It's getting cold outside and everyone has to leave when the library closes. If they wanna take a nap let them sheesh. It's a place funded by the government and donations.
Some of the staff are very rude and strict. They won't allow you to even bring a closed container of coffee or tea upstairs. Now I wouldn't have a problem eating and drinking on the first floor window room but it SMELLS so bad. Like a jail cell. I realize again many people in that room don't get to shower much but put some air freshener plug ins in. They do wonders. 4th floor also smells. I refuse to stay in that environment as I can't concentrate. So I usually go to the 5th floor.
If you're going to close at 10:30 then post 10:30 not 11pm. I realize the staff wants to go home but the screaming and intercom are a bit much. Apart from that it's a conveniently located and beautiful library 📚 with lots of options and is pretty quiet considering it's in the middle of all the hub bub. 3/5response / report this review
