tours of the nyc library

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New York City Public Library

This post is a review of New York Public Library's main branch building in Manhattan with tips for planning your visit.

We include how to get here what you will see, and guided tours. 

As local tour guides, we know that the NYPL main branch building is one of Manhattan's most underrated attractions - and it's free.

We stop there daily on our walking tours, and for good reason, beautiful architecture, and treasures related to Shakespeare and Guttenberg.

In the video below, Katie, a tour guide with Tours by Foot New York , explains why you need to visit.

The Schwartzman Building was dedicated on May 23, 1911, with over 1 million books and 75 miles of shelving put into place for its opening day.

It is one of NYC's iconic Beaux-Arts-style marble buildings. Its two marble lions outside the building are recognizable to millions of people.

In addition to housing a renowned reference library, the New York Public Library is home to treasures such as a Gutenberg Bible, a First Folio edition of Shakespeare’s “Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies” from 1623, and Mary Poppins’ umbrella.

One of the library's most prized possessions is an original print of the Gutenberg Bible, one of only 49 existing copies in the world!

If you want an in-depth look at the library interior, take advantage of their free guided tours (See below ).

The New York Public Library's Schwartzman Building is located on 5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 40th Street in Midtown Manhattan.

We recommend using this Google map to get directions from anywhere in the city.

Click the image to expand it

Almost all subway lines have stations near the library.

If you take one of their free tours, give yourself 1.5 to 2 hours. The free tour is one hour, but you should arrive early.

You might like to spend time looking around on your own.

For the ultimate library experience, you could take the 11 a.m. building tour and the 12:30 pm exhibition tour.

If so, then give yourself an additional hour.

Another option is to take the 11 a.m. library building tour before one of our 2 pm live-guided Midtown Manhattan Tours! (See our calendar for days/times ).

Some Things to Know When Visiting the Library

• There will be security officers at all entrances and throughout the library. They may ask to look in your bag. If you have large bags with you, such as a large backpack or even luggage, you can find many places nearby to store your bags inexpensively. See our post Where to Store Luggage in NYC .
• Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the library. There is a small café towards the back of Astor Hall if you need something to eat or drink.
• While photography is allowed, most rooms do not allow you to use a flash.
• The library is wheelchair accessible, both at the entrances and throughout the building.

NYC PUBLIC LIBRARY TOURS

The NYPL offers free, one-hour guided tours of the Schwartzman Building.

The tours, given by volunteer docents run every day but Sundays.

• Monday-Saturday: 11 am and 2 pm (The tour is one hour long).
• Sunday at 2 pm
• Double-check tour times here: New York Public Library Tours .
• Note: There are no tours on Sunday. Also, the Schwarzman Building is closed on Sundays in July and August. So you will not be able to see the interior, so try to visit the library on other days of the week.

All tours meet at the Information Desk in the Astor Hall.

Astor Hall is the main entry point to the library, and the Information Desk is off to the left, just past the left set of stairs.

Tip: Tours are limited to 25 people and are available on a first-come basis. Be sure to arrive early at the meeting spot to ensure you can be included in the tour.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE

Patience and Fortitude 

These are the two great lions that greet you on the library stairs.

These marble statues were added in 1911 and at first, were both named Leo - fitting for a lion.

But they were given different last names: Astor and Lenox, the two co-founders of the Library.

During the Great Depression, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia renamed Leo Lenox and Leo Astor.

Their new names were Patience and Fortitude.

The renaming was meant to remind people of the traits they'd need to make it through the financial hardship of the era.

Astor Hall 

When you enter the library you will be in this stunning white marble entryway named for the wealthy and prominent Astor family.

Once the richest man in the world, John Jacob Astor passed away in 1848 and dedicated a huge sum of money to establish the Astor Library, a free public library, the first public library in NYC.

In 1985 the Astor Library merged with the New York Public Library.

The Rose Main Reading Room 

This is one of the largest interior spaces in the whole city. It is almost as long as two city blocks.

It contains 42 oak tables that can accommodate over 600 readers and 40,000 reference books line its walls. Its gilded ceiling is 52 feet high!

Besides being beautiful, lush, and vast, the room also has free Wi-Fi  (and free bathrooms) making it a destination for researchers and academics.

The room is well-known for being the location of one of the most memorable scenes in the 1984 film “ Ghostbusters ".

(If you are a Ghostbusters fan, see our Top Ten Ghostbusters Locations post .)

McGraw Rotunda 

With its dark walnut paneling and vaulted ceiling, the Rotunda is a perfect locale for the sumptuous murals on its walls and ceiling.

The murals are named “The Story of the Recorded Word,” and indeed tell this story.

The most well-known mural depicts Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, holding a page from his famous Bible which was the first book to be printed using the printing press.

In the Rotunda, you can see a Gutenberg Bible, one of only 49 copies in the world!

Map Collection Room

Of course, the room is impressive, but what is more impressive is that it is one of the largest public collections of maps in the world!

For starters, there are 10,000 maps of New York City alone!

EXHIBITION TOURS

In addition to the building tours, the library offers free, one-hour, guided docent tours of their temporary exhibits (suspended indefinitely).

The exhibits are quite specialized and exciting as you will see rare items not otherwise on display.

Monday-Saturday: 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Sunday: 2:00 p.m. ( Note: the library is closed on Sundays in July and August).

Tours are limited to 25 people, on a first-come basis, so be sure to arrive a bit before the tour times.

Tours meet at the entrance to Gottesman Hall. To get there, enter the library at the 5th Avenue main entrance, walk straight, passing through Astor Hall and you will find Gottesman Hall.

What's On 

NOTE:  Special exhibits are offered at other branches of the New York Public Library system. 

For example, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture always has excellent exhibitions. 

For information on current and upcoming events and exhibitions, click here .

You might be wondering how the librarians handle requests from patrons who put in a "call slip" asking for a particular book from among the collection of over 1.5 million books.

Prior to 2016, the requested book was retrieved from the stacks of the Reading Room and the huge space beneath the Rose Main Reading Room.

In 2016, a new book retrieval system was put into place. Books are delivered by a 'train' system.

Here's a video of the adorable system at work!

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Visitor Center

Discover the flagship building of the new york public library—one of the world’s great libraries..

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the "people’s palace," created for everyone to access and explore. Visitors come here to find a quiet place to read, do research, learn from our historic collections, look into their family history, tour exhibitions, join public events, enjoy the building’s art and architecture—and much more. 

Explore the Building:   Download a Map  |  Descargue un mapa  |  在此处下载大楼地图

Listen to the Self-Guided Audio Tour: English | Español |  普通话  | Accessible Tour (with Verbal Descriptions)  

Start your journey at the Library’s Visitor Center.

Discover everything our new Visitor Center has to offer, including digital and tactile displays featuring interactive exhibits about the Library's legacy, collection items, maps, and more. Plus: find a coat check and join in-person tours at the Visitor Center.

Plan your visit to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building!

Highlights at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

New free audio tour & digital guide on the bloomberg connects app.

Download Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app, and take a self-guided tour on your mobile device to explore the history, architecture, and services offered at our Fifth Avenue locations.

Accessible Visitor Center Guide

Discover the Library's new Visitor Center with this guide featuring descriptions of the exhibits, tactile displays, and more. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures

This exhibition showcases some of the most extraordinary items from the 56 million in our collections, inspiring and empowering visitors to discover, learn, and create new knowledge—today and in the years ahead.

In-Person Guided Tours

The Library's docent-led tours are an excellent way to see highlights of the Schwarzman Building. Our official tours are also the only way to get group access to many of the Library’s must-see spaces—including the historic Rose Main Reading Room. Meet for your tour in the Visitor Center.

Accessibility Details

The New York Public Library strives to ensure that everyone has access to the full range of information, services, and programs that are offered at the Library.  Learn more.

All public service units of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building are wheelchair accessible. A ramp entrance to the building is located at 42nd Street, and a street-level accessible entrance is available at 40th Street. All levels of the building are accessible by an elevator at the north end of the building.

Explore the  Visitor Center with our accessible guide , featuring descriptive text.

If you require an additional accommodation onsite, please speak to a staff member. For more information or for an accommodation, please email  [email protected] . To learn more about the accessibility of NYPL websites and mobile applications, see our  Web & Mobile Accessibility Policy .

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New York Public Library: Planning Your Visit

TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins 

If you're planning a trip to New York City , you won't want to miss visiting the historic main branch of the New York Public Library. You don't need to be a book lover to appreciate the majesty of this building, which has been a fundamental part of the city for over a century. While many tourists pass by to snap a picture of the famous lions outside and continue on sightseeing, the true treasures are inside.

While people often refer to the landmark building in Midtown as the "New York Public Library" or NYPL, it's actually just the main branch of the entire New York Public Library system which stretches across Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx (Brooklyn and Queens each have their own borough-specific library systems). The term NYPL technically refers to all library branches, buildings, and research centers, with the flagship location officially known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Fortunately, if you ask any local for the "New York Public Library," they'll know exactly which one you're talking about.

The New York Public Library was created in 1895 by combining the collections of the Astor and Lenox Libraries with a $2.4 million trust from Samuel J. Tilden that was given to, "establish and maintain a free library and reading room in the city of New York." Sixteen years later, on May 23, 1911, President William Howard Taft, along with New York Governor John Alden Dix and New York City Mayor William J. Gaynor, dedicated the new library and opened it to the public the next day.

The site of the old Croton Reservoir was chosen for the new library. When the building opened, it was the largest marble building in the United States and already home to over three million books.

Architecture

Eighty-eight of the best architectural firms in New York City competed to win the bid for designing the new library, ultimately going to the relatively unknown firm Carrère and Hastings. The designers had both studied in Paris, which clearly served as inspiration for the Beaux-Arts style that the library is still famous for. Their design was considered one of the greatest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture and it served as a template for libraries all around the world.

Tours and Events

Exploring this great free attraction is easy and open to all—you only need a library card if you want to actually check something out or use the research rooms. To learn about the library in a more formal setting, you can join one of the two free tours for a more comprehensive visit. The Building Tour is one hour and is the best way to take in the highlights of the building's Beaux-Arts architecture. The Exhibition Tour offers a chance to look inside the library's current exhibitions .

Visitors today can conduct research, take a tour, attend numerous events , or just wander through the library to view its many treasures and artworks.

Library Highlights

Whether you're a bibliophile, budding architect, or just a lover of NYC history, there are a few must-see spots that deserve a spot on your library itinerary.

• Astor Hall . You can't miss Astor Hall during your trip to the library because it's the very first room you walk in when entering from the main Fifth Avenue entrance—and it sure does make a first impression. The white marble arches with the grand staircase are redolent of the extravagance of Grand Central Station, and it's no wonder people rent out the room for weddings or other special events.
• Rose Reading Room . When people imagine grand libraries with dark wood, hand-painted ceilings, and endless rows of books, they're thinking of something like the Rose Reading Room. It's the biggest room in the massive library, and its grandeur is practically unmatched in any other building in the city. The Beaux-Arts design is intentionally mixed with decidedly Renaissance elements for an even more ornate feel.
• McGraw Rotunda . The third-floor McGraw Rotunda is another space that's rented out for its lavishness. Climb the staircase to see its marble arches, Corinthian columns, and the New Deal-era murals by American painter Edward Laning.
• Public Catalog Room . Connecting the Rose Reading Room and the McGraw Rotunda is the Public Catalog Room, where library users once received handwritten cards to find their books. Today, computers in the room are used instead, but this is still where you can find the main librarian's desk and ask questions or apply for a library card.
• The Lions . Undoubtedly the library's most iconic feature is the two lion sculptures that stand watch outside. They're as old as the library itself and are so ingrained in New York culture that they've become a symbol of the whole city. Their current names were given to them during the Great Depression by Mayor LaGuardia to encourage New Yorkers through difficult hardships: Patience sits on the south side of the steps and his feline partner Fortitude is on the north side. To keep them looking their best, both lions go through an exhaustive restoration process about once every seven to 10 years.
• Children's Center . The Children's Center in the library is designed with kids aged 12 and under in mind, but there are a few residents here that appeal to both kids and kids at heart. Here you can find the original stuffed animals that inspired the timeless characters from Winnie-the-Pooh. The stuffed Pooh bear is accompanied by Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, and Tigger, which all belonged to the real-life child Christopher Robin. If you've ever been a fan of these classic stories, it's worth a visit to see the toys that inspired them all.
• Croton Reservoir . Throughout the 19th century, a reservoir at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue served as the main water supply for residents in New York City. The reservoir was already in disuse when the library was constructed on the same land, but parts of the original foundation are still visible in the library today in the South Court building.
• Rare Book Division . Some of the library's oldest, most cherished, and most valuable objects are kept in the Rare Book Divison, like a Gutenberg Bible, European works from the 15th century and before, the first Native American language Bible, old atlases, first edition works by Shakespeare, and much more. However, this room is not open to the public and only available to researchers with prior permission.

Nearby Attractions

The New York Public Library building is situated in the heart of Manhattan and several of the city's most iconic landmarks are all within just a few blocks. The library's "backyard" so to speak is Bryant Park , which feels like a small sanctuary surrounded by the skyscrapers of Midtown. Apart from a casual stroll or a nap on the lawn, there are always events going on in Bryant Park, whether it's summer night movie screenings or the Christmas market and free ice skating in the winter.

The relative serenity of the library and park is even more impressive considering that the mayhem of Times Square is just one block west and the commotion of Grand Central Terminal is one block east. And if you're still looking for more to see, you only need to walk a few blocks either uptown or downtown and you'll run right into Rockefeller Center or the Empire State Building, respectively.

Getting There

The main entrance to the library is located at Fifth Avenue between 42nd and 40th streets. The closest subway stations are the Fifth Avenue/Bryant Park station on Line 7 and the 42nd Street/Bryant Park station on Lines B, D, F, or M.

Literary lovers should start their journey at Madison Avenue and 41st Street and walk to the library from there. Not only do you get a full-frontal view of the building's gorgeous facade as you approach, but this block of 41st Street is also dubbed "Library Way" because the cement is filled with plaques featuring quotes from famous writers around the world.

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The New York Public Library  

What To Do At This Venue:

See The Rose Main Reading Room - This is the famous reading room that has been featured in countless films and television programs like Regarding Henry , The Thomas Crown Affair and The Day After Tomorrow. .

Take a Free One hour tour of the world's 4th largest library in the world. See the original Gutenburg bible and other priceless books and artwork. Really, it more like a museum than just a library.

The New York Public Library Facts, History & Trivia

The New York Public Library is the 2nd largest library in the United States, with the Library of Congress being the largest.

Founded in 1895, The New York Public Library is made up of four research libraries and 88 circulating libraries throughout the boroughs of Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten Island (Brooklyn and Queens have their own separate libraries).

The four research libraries are the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (the Main Library on 42nd Street), The NYPL for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza in Manhattan, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard and the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) at 188 Madison Avenue @ 34th Street.

More than 17 million people use the New York Public Library every year and it conducts 67,000 free programs on an annual basis.

The library is funded by private donations and public funds.

Venue Visit on 6/13/2015 by Lainey

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New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Description

Fifth Ave. & 42nd St. Manhattan, NY, 10018

(917) 275-6975

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The New York Public Library: What to See on Each Floor

When most people go on vacation, visiting the public library probably isn’t on the itinerary. However, in New York City, even the library is one of the city’s most popular attractions. While New York City has almost 100 branches in its library system, the main branch on Fifth Avenue is without a doubt the most famous, and in my opinion the most attractive.

Featured in movies such as “Ghostbusters,” “Sex and the City,” and “The Day After Tomorrow,” the main branch of the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States (runner-up to the Library of Congress). The outside showcases splendid architecture, and the inside offers a vast array of art exhibits, curated collections, and history that attracts 18 million visitors every year. If you enjoy visiting and learning about sights like this, make sure to check out our New York tours .

Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to plan your visit and what you need to see at New York’s grandest library.

Entering the Main Branch

The New York Public Library branch on Fifth Avenue is also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, renamed after a wealthy philanthropist who donated more than $100 million dollars in 2008 to help restore it. The library has two entrances, but I suggest coming through the one on Fifth Avenue up the grand marble staircase.

As you walk up the steps, the first things you’ll encounter are the two stone lions to your left and right. They are a trademark of the NYPL and have become its mascot in a sense. They used to be named Leo Astor and Leo Lenox, after two of the gentlemen who helped establish the library in 1911. In the 1930s, however, the lions were renamed Patience and Fortitude by then-mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. He felt those were the two qualities citizens needed to survive the Great Depression.

The First Floor at the NYPL: What to See

Even without a library card, there’s a lot to check out here. Below are some of the best rooms in the library, all found on the first floor.

After you walk through the main doors and past security, you’ll immediately enter Astor Hall on the first floor, named after John Jacob Astor, a prominent philanthropist who donated his private collection to help establish the NYPL.

Two grand marble staircases lead up to the second floor, and astute visitors might recognize this as the filmed location in which Carrie Bradshaw was left at the altar by Mr. Big. Although John Astor sadly died on the Titanic when it sank, his legacy lives on in the main lobby of the library.

Dewitt Wallace Periodical Room

Before heading upstairs, you’ll want to take a look in one of the most beautiful rooms in the library. Elegant chandeliers, richly paneled walls, and striking murals make the Dewitt Wallace Periodical Room impossible to miss. Named after the founder of “Reader’s Digest,” this room has issues of more than 200 current magazines and periodicals, and more than 22 foreign and domestic newspapers.

Map Collection

Located near the bottom of the northern staircase on the first floor is the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal map division , home to one of the largest map collections in the world.

Named for Lionel Pincus, yet another philanthropist, and Princess Firyal, a Jordanian princess, it includes more than 400,000 sheet maps, 22,000 books and atlases dating back to the 1500s, and more than 10,000 maps of NYC alone.

Visitor Theater

It’s not all reading here. The Bartos Education Center, also on the first floor, has a visitor theater with a video series that displays behind-the-scenes footage of the library, its history, and special collections. These videos will help you uncover the library’s Civil War maps, genealogical records, handwritten manuscripts of classic novels, and a lot more.

Other Things to Do on the First Floor

But wait — there’s more. This is also where you’ll find the library gift shop, where you can pick up one of the famous NYPL tote bags .

They also have an Amy’s Bread kiosk, which serves up some of the best coffee, cakes, and cookies you can get in NYC.

Upstairs at the New York Public Library

Jill Kupin Rose Gallery

Make your way up to the second floor from the Astor Hall staircase, and you’ll immediately come across the Jill Kupin Rose Gallery . This is an ongoing exhibition detailing the library’s history and featuring an array of collections and services. It’s displayed on large wall panels with pictures, texts, objects, and videos.

McGraw Rotunda

The McGraw Rotunda is one of the most beautiful rooms in New York City, in my opinion. Don’t forget to look up when you’re there. Framed by Corinthian walnut columns, the rotunda showcases murals by Edward Laning that depict the history of the written word.

Rose Main Reading Room

Nearly the length of a football field, this monumental space is split up into two sections illuminated by massive windows and grand chandeliers. With an aesthetic that I like to describe as “Hogwarts-chic,” the Rose Main Reading Room provides an unparalleled environment to study, conduct research, or enjoy a good book.

Most people consider this the main attraction at the New York Public Library, so you definitely don’t want to miss it.

Exploring the Library’s Ground Floor

The children’s center at 42nd street.

The library has displays that appeal to people of all ages, but if you really want to impress your kiddos, you might want to check out the Children’s Center on the ground floor, underneath the first floor. To get there, turn right at the entrance, and head down the stairs past the gift shop. The Children’s Center offers a vast collection of books and stories to entertain the whole family for hours.

Kids and adults might also enjoy the library’s famous Winnie the Pooh exhibit , which features the actual stuffed animals that inspired the original Winnie the Pooh story. No touching (they’re behind glass), but they’re awfully cute to look at.

I’m not a librarian, but I can answer some questions for you.

Where is the main branch of the New York Public Library?

The main branch of the New York Public Library is located at 476 Fifth Avenue, between 41st and 42nd streets in Midtown Manhattan. Conveniently, it’s very close to popular landmarks such as Times Square and Grand Central Terminal . Bryant Park is conveniently behind the museum as well.

The easiest way to get here is by taking the 7 train (purple line) and getting off at 5th Avenue or by taking the orange line B, D, F or M trains and getting off at 42nd Street. Explore this area with a New York in a day tour — and listen to some pretty cool stories along the way.

Can you get married at the New York Public Library?

I’m so flattered you would ask! While birthdays, political events, and religious events are not allowed, you can indeed get married at the New York Public Library. Carrie Bradshaw would be proud.

Can you study at the NYPL?

The NYPL is free to enter, and I used to study there occasionally when I was in grad school. The Rose Reading Room is a quiet, peaceful, and inspirational environment to crack open a book or prep to ace an exam.

Take a Look, It’s in a Book

The New York Public Library isn’t a museum, but it has exhibitions that would make even the Metropolitan Museum of Art jealous. What other library has ancient maps, a Gutenberg Bible, or an annotated copy of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” all under one roof? And best of all, in a city that can be notoriously expensive, the library is completely free.

For more than 100 years it has hosted scholars, academics, students, bibliophiles, poets, and out-of-town visitors just like you. So whether you’re coming to see a rotating exhibit or snap a photo of the beautiful study rooms and galleries, the library is waiting to welcome you inside to write a New York City chapter all your own.

The New York Public Library Group Tours

Price: $ 15.00 Member Price: $ 13.50

This variant is currently sold out

Please fill in the form below if you'd like to be notified when it becomes available.

  Group tours are available by appointment only and must be scheduled in advance. This includes tours of the building and exhibitions for 10 or more visitors. All participants on group tours receive  10% off   their purchase at The New York Public Library Shop.

• Adults: $15 per person
• Seniors: $10  per person
• Full-Time Students: FREE
• Children: FREE

During the Tour Please:

• No food or drink
• Silence your phone
• Remain quiet in all reading rooms
• No flash photography 

For under Groups of 10

Free one-hour tours of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building begin at 11 AM and 2 PM on Monday through Saturdays. (Please keep in mind that The Schwarzman Building is closed on Sundays in July and August). Tours meet at the reception desk in Astor Hall.  P ublic tours are available, but limited and must be booked 2 weeks in advance by clicking  here.

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The most gorgeous libraries in NYC

You don’t have to like reading to geek out over the most gorgeous libraries in NYC, from the NYPL to Jefferson Market.

Whether you’re a bookworm or an architecture addict, you’re certain to fall in love with the most stunning NYC libraries. Because you have to admit: Libraries are some of the most beautiful NYC buildings to visit. Gotham has no shortage of great architecture, but our libraries make for some of the most interesting  lesser-known NYC attractions . One of the best things to do in Manhattan is visit the New York Public Library, which ranks as one of the most famous book dens in the world. But there are plenty more lesser-known—yet equally jaw-dropping—libraries worth getting to know. From Jefferson Market to the Morgan Library, these are the most gorgeous libraries in NYC.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to New York attractions

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

The most gorgeous NYC libraries

1.  new york public library.

• Libraries, archives and foundations
• Midtown West

This iconic location, proudly guarded by regal-looking marble lions, is among the city's most ornate public spaces. The pièce de résistance is of course the Rose Reading Room—who wouldn’t be inspired by all those crystal chandeliers? But if you’re here for the books, you won’t be disappointed either: There are some 50 million items spread out across these stacks.

2.  New York Academy of Medicine

• Things to do
• Talks and lectures
• East Harlem
• price 1 of 4

Established in 1847 and opened to the public in 1878, this library holds an exhaustive catalog of medical journals, documents and other ephemera. The library subscribes to more than 1,000 journals, and there are more than 800,000 volumes in the main collection. Check out its historical collections, which contain items like an amputation kit and documentation about an 18th-century smallpox outbreak in the U.K.

Visits are by appointment, but there are free drop-in hours on the first Monday of every month at noon.

3.  The Morgan Library & Museum

• Murray Hill

Originally the private library of none other than John Pierpont Morgan—yup that J.P. Morgan—this lavish edifice was first dedicated to bookish pursuits in 1910. In 2006, a massive renovation by the famed Renzo Piano brought more natural light into the building and doubled the size of the exhibition space. Today, a museum welcomes visitors to see collections of original Michelangelo drawings and Steinbeck manuscripts and a theater, Gilder Lehrman Hall , regularly hosts recitals and concerts.

4.  The Center for Fiction

• Fort Greene

Formerly located in Manhattan's Mercantile Library, the Center for Fiction recently opened a new location in Downtown Brooklyn that brings the old-world charm of literature together with more modern digs with a bar/cafe, a bookstore, writing space, and yes, a library. While membership is required to take advantage of its co-working spaces and upstairs library, the public is free to check out the ground-floor where a portion of its library sits as well as its bookstore, bar-cafe and event space. Members can out books and get discounts on reading groups, writing workshops, events, and bookstore, and more. It's a beautifully quiet space for literature lovers to sit and read.    

5.  New York Public Library, Jefferson Market Branch

• Greenwich Village

This former courthouse building has been an important part of the Greenwich Village community for more than four decades. Arched stained glass windows are some of the major architectural draws, along with carved doorways, a public garden, and a variety of mural-size artwork. Also, it looks like a freakin’ Victorian castle, so there’s that.

6.  New York Society Library

• Upper East Side

The townhouse-set New York Society Library includes some cozy reading rooms that are open to the public—but you have to be a member check out a book. (After all, it is called a society). But the Upper East Side location deserves a spot on this list regardless: It’s the oldest book lender in the city, opened in 1754, and holds some 300,000 volumes.

7.  Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch

• Prospect Heights

Designed to physically resemble an open book, this 1941 Art Deco building is arguably Brooklyn’s most popular library. Overlooking Grand Army Plaza, this branch of the Brooklyn Public Library system also boasts an outdoor performance space for concerts and other events. Among the library's strongest suits is its first-floor Youth Wing, with designated spaces for toddlers and teens to discover a love of reading.

8.  New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

• Upper West Side

Whether you’re looking for some worthwhile literature on your favorite ballroom dancer or would rather gawk at beautiful people—all while hanging out in a sleek, modern space—this library will not disappoint. Housed within the Lincoln Center complex, naturally, this branch of the NYPL is known specifically for the Billy Rose Theatre Collection, one of the world’s largest collections with works about the performing arts.

9.  Poets House

• Battery Park City

What better place to get some inspiration than this poetry mecca touting views of Rockefeller Park and the Hudson River? Founded in 1985 by poet laureate Stanley Kuntz, the whimsical, sunlit book den is fitted with quirky decor like a canoe-shape bookcase, an old-fashioned birdcage and antique school desks. And with some 70,000 volumes to peruse, there’s no doubt you’ll get your poetry fix here. The best part? It’s free and open to the public. There’s even a Children’s Room for the youngest sonneteers.

10.  Brooklyn Public Library, Pacific Branch

• price 2 of 4

Opened in 1904, this library isn’t the largest even in Brooklyn, but it has an antiquated charm that makes it worth a stop if you’re a local or happen to be in the area. Architecture buffs will get a kick out of the century-old beaux arts building, which was thankfully saved from demolition in 2013 by City Council. It’s also notable for being the first Carnegie library in Brooklyn.

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Audio Guides

Delve into the storied history and world-renowned collections of The New York Public Library with our series of audio guides, available to listen to for free on any digital device. Follow a guided tour through one of our iconic locations, get exclusive insights into exhibitions of our collections from NYPL curators and experts in the field, hear voices from our archives come to life through readings of rare manuscripts and letters, and more.

To begin, explore our guides by location below.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Jimmy god’s black revolutionary mouth, visualizing black agency in cartes de visite audio guide, traveling while black audio guide, subversion & the art of slavery abolition: audio, stephen a. schwarzman building, treasures | james baldwin: mountain to fire, the awe of the arctic: a visual history, max beerbohm: the price of celebrity, treasures | the fate of frankenstein: audio guide, nypl's fifth avenue locations: self-guided audio tour (with verbal descriptions), nypl's fifth avenue locations: self-guided audio tour, virginia woolf: a modern mind, intersects: where arthropods and homo sapiens meet, treasures: audio guide (with verbal descriptions), all this mine alone: lady gregory and the irish literary revival, treasures: audio guide.