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NYC Public Library

NYC Public Library

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NYC Public Library Information

NYC Public Library Info

Hours:
Mon. 10am- 6pm, Tues.- Wed. 10am- 8pm, Thurs.- Sat. 10am- 6pm, Sun. 1pm- 5pm

When to Go:
11am & 2pm for guided tours

Seasonal Information:
Open year-round

Important Information

  • Closed on Holidays

NYC Public Library Quick Facts

  • The NY Public Library was founded in 1911.
  • The NYC Public Library is home to over 15 million items, including rare books, special collections, and a massive database of newspaper articles.
  • Guided Tours are available at the NY Library for free, and leave at 11am and 2pm daily.

Address:
5th Ave & 42nd St
New York, US

Website: http://www.nypl.org/

Phone Number: 212.621.0670




NYCTourist Travel Info

User Average Review

Overall:
4
Location:
5
Information:
4
Fun Factor:
3

Based on 1 review

Rating Distribution

4.0 out of 5 Stars

100.0% recommended it

NYC Public Library Reviews

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Gina Hornung

Joined: November 2010

xxx.xxx.244.242

Overall:
4
Location:
5
Information:
4
Fun Factor:
3

Would recommend to a friend

Date of stay: 11/11

Main Branch of NY Library - A Feast for the Eyes

Libraries aren’t generally on my list of “to-do’s” while I’m visiting a city, but the main branch of the New York Library ended up being my favorite landmark I visited, believe it or not.  The first time I passed by the library, I was on a bus tour and my guide mentioned it’s in the Sex and the City Movie, where Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding was planned. This is a trivial fact I already knew, and I couldn’t wait to step inside those doors.  I made sure to go back on my own time, and I’m so glad I did.

Walking up those countless steps to the main entrance, I had a feeling of importance – thinking of all the amazing people who have used this library.  It’s a research-only branch, so though in many film and television shows (notably Seinfeld, when Jerry has an outstanding overdue book fee) when characters are checking out books from here, in reality, that’s not its purpose.

I stepped inside an felt like I had escaped reality and walked into an ancient chapel or gallery – a combination of the two, maybe. Two marble stairwells on either side lead up to the second floor, and the ceiling is covered in a masterful  painting, with chandeliers hanging down.  It’s the most beautiful architecture I’ve seen in New York, hands down.

Since the library is for research, there are computers available as well as a ton of information on-hand.  I noticed more people just looking around at all of the art and the building itself, than using the library for research.  I saw several people taking pictures and drawing sketches. I could have easily spent all day there. 

The Library is also right next to Bryant Park, and the combination of these two magical New York City landmarks became my favorite spot in the City.

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NYC Public Library Hotel

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NYC Public Library

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NYC Landmark Features Beautiful Architecture and a Massive Book Collection

Located in

Manhattan

Midtown East

This tour is FREE!


NYCTourist Travel Info

Features: A NYC landmark featuring some of the most beautiful architecture in the Big Apple, the NYC Public Library in Midtown Manhattan is a must-see for NY tourists. With more than 15 million books, articles, and films at your disposal, as well as free WiFi and guided tours, the NY Library is the perfect rainy day getaway in New York City.

Why We Go: While visiting a library on vacation may not sound incredibly appealing, trust us when we say that the NYC Public Library is unlike any other library in the world. A favorite among NYC tourists, the Beaux-Arts architecture of this historic NYC building alone is worth the trip. And once your inside, you'll be swept away by the magnitude of the NY Library collection.

  • Beautiful Interior: The interior of the NYC Library is made up of classic chandeliers, stained glass windows, and long dark-wood communal tables, making it more reminiscent of a church than a public library in NYC.
  • Free WiFi: Log on to the fast and reliable WiFi connection at the NYC Public Library free of charge.
  • Special Collections: Perhaps the largest special collections section of any library in the country, the NY Library in Midtown holds every issue of the NY Times, from the first issue ever printed to yesterday's copy.

Inside Knowledge: Guided tours of the NY Public Library are a fun and informative way to explore this historic NYC landmark. NY Library tours are free and no reservation is required. Guided tours at the NYC Public Library leave at 11am and 2pm, and meet 15 minutes bfore departure at the reception desk at Astor Hall in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.

Do's and Don'ts:

  • Do Explore the Collection: Once you get started, you may get lost in the massive NYC Public Collection for the whole day. Just remember they close around 6pm.
  • Do Bring Your Laptop: The public computer stations at the NYC Library are often occupied. Make sure to bring your laptop and take advantage of the free WiFi if you're hoping to get online at the NY Public Library.
  • Don't Forget the History: Opened in 1911, the NY Public Library was a community effort in New York. Horses were once called to duty to deliver books to the public, and in the 1940's and '50's the NY Public Library defied the censorship of the time and continued to order and circulate controversial books.
  • Don't Miss Winnie the Pooh: Since 1987, the original Winnie the Pooh and his buds have been on display in the Children's Area of the NYC Public Library. The stuffed animals that inspired A.A. Milne's classic children's stories are a popular NYC attraction at the NY Library.
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