New York Public Library
5th Avenue and West 42nd Street
West 42nd Street-Bryant Park station (B, D, F, or V train)
212-930-0800
The Humanities and Social Sciences branch of the New York Public Library is a historic landmark, a masterpiece of Beaux Arts architecture. Built in 1911, it is a two-block literary oasis, housing around six million books (apparently nobody really knows the exact number) plus millions of other documents. The library is a research facility, which means you can't check the books out, but anyone can use it to do research in one of the eleven reading rooms.
The library hosts a constant stream of traveling exhibitions. Check the library's Web site for a current schedule; if you're lucky you may be able to see a Gutenberg Bible or a copy of the Declaration of Independence, but all of the exhibitions feature insightful commentary on art and literature.
The library's well-trained staff can locate a book for you in anything from a few minutes to nearly an hour, depending on how busy the library is and how far they need to travel to find the book. The stacks extend underground from Fifth to Sixth avenues. Cardholders can borrow books from any of the city's more traditional libraries, including the Mid-Manhattan Library, on Fortieth Street and Fifth Avenue, across the street.
This historic building, however, is indeed worth visiting, even if it's just for a brief look around. Built for $9 million on a $20 million plot — a sum originally raised to fund two libraries — this magnificent structure is guarded in the front by the two world-famous stone lions,
The New York Public Library system has eighty-nine locations throughout the five boroughs. In total, it houses more than fifty million items. There are more than two million cardholders; library cards are free for New York City residents, but nonresidents can apply for a card for a $100 fee.
There are numerous divisions within the building, including the Arts and Architecture Division, the Map Division, the Jewish Division, the Oriental Division, the Current Periodical Division, and so on. Special collections include rare books, photography, and prints. Free tours are offered and recommended; they will provide you with a frame of reference — the enormity and grandeur of the building can be intimidating!
Lectures, special exhibits, and presentations are offered in the library. You may also stroll behind the building and visit Bryant Park, which is home to fashion shows and other events and where you can relax with a cappuccino or pastry. In the winter you can even ice skate!
Even most New Yorkers don't know that the original stuffed bear that A.A. Milne immortalized in Winnie the Pooh — which belonged to his son, Christopher Robin — can be seen “in the fluff” in the children's section of the Donnell Library, at West Fifty-third Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues (nearest subway stop: Fifth Avenue-Fifty-third Street station; E or V train).
The library can be found on Fifth Avenue between West Fortieth and West Forty-second streets. Building tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at 11
