The New York Public Library, Midtown Manhattan, New York, is an iconic cultural and architectural landmark. Officially named the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, it opened on May 23, 1911. Located on Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, the library is renowned for its Beaux-Arts design, executed by architects Carrère and Hastings. The building is guarded by two marble lions named Patience and Fortitude, named by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia during the Great Depression to symbolize the qualities New Yorkers would need to survive the economic crisis.
One of the library’s most famous rooms is the Rose Main Reading Room, which spans nearly two city blocks. It features a 52-foot high ceiling adorned with murals of vibrant skies and clouds. The room was refurbished and reopened to the public in 2016 after a two-year renovation.
The library houses a vast collection of over 55 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, and other media. Among its many treasures is a Gutenberg Bible, one of the few surviving copies of the first major book printed using movable type. The library also holds a copy of the first folio of Shakespeare's works, printed in 1623.
One fascinating feature of the library is its underground stacks. These stacks extend below Bryant Park, and a conveyor system was installed in 2016 to expedite the delivery of requested books to the main reading room. The system can transport items in just a few minutes.
The building has also been a popular filming location for movies and television shows. It has appeared in films such as "Ghostbusters," "The Day After Tomorrow," and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." This frequent presence in popular culture has cemented the library's status as a global cultural icon.
A lesser-known fact is that the library offers free tours led by volunteer docents. These tours provide insights into the building's history, architecture, and collections. Additionally, the library hosts a variety of public programs, including lectures, exhibitions, and educational workshops.
For those interested in genealogy, the library's Milstein Division is a treasure trove of resources, including extensive databases and archives that can assist in tracing family histories. The library also boasts an impressive collection of maps, housed in the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, which includes over 433,000 maps and 16,000 atlases.
Lastly, the library has embraced the digital age by digitizing a significant portion of its collections. The NYPL Digital Collections allows users worldwide to access high-resolution images of rare and unique documents, photographs, and other media.
The New York Public Library in Midtown Manhattan is not just a repository of books but a vibrant center of culture, history, and learning, reflecting the diverse and dynamic spirit of New York City.