Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:455 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York
Tel:
(212) 930-0800
The historic New York City Public Library dates back more than 100 years when New York City was firmly establishing itself as one of the great urban centers in the world. The library was the dream of many, including New York governor Samuel Tilden (1814-1886), to create a free public library in New York City, complete with research facilities, reading rooms, and a world-class collection of books and periodicals.
That dream long ago became a reality and today the New York City Public Library is a free institution that provides all those things, plus more! From educational programs for children, to guest lecturers, to the annual Shakespeare Festival, the New York City Public Library has become a world unto itself for the literary lover. And not only can guests visit the grand, classical-style main library branch on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue (between 40th and 42nd streets) but they are welcome as well to visit any of the branches located in New York City—a system of 87 branches over 20 million books, used by more than 15 million people, by far the largest library system in the world! Step into the main branch and allow yourself to be transported to glorious days past. With old brass lamps, high ceilings, and intricate architecture, the surroundings themselves are reason enough to duck into this massive structure.
Even if you haven't yet been to the New York City Public Library, there's a good chance that you've caught a glimpse of it in some major motion pictures, like Sex and the City, Spider Man, The Day After Tomorrow, Ghostbusters, and Breakfast at Tiffany's, among many others.
With beautiful architecture, quiet rooms, and any book you could possibly imagine, the New York City Public Library brings visitors into a place of calm where all literary dreams come true!