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Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
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You simply must take 15 minutes to look at the breathtaking grandeur of the New York Public Library. It's hard to remember that you are in a library when you walk around this magnificent building. Security is very tight, and they search all bags.
The main reading rooms have undergone a massive restoration to their former glory. The original brass lamps have remained, where as the old card catalogues have been replaced by computers. Look right up to the restored ceiling, where it's always sunny blue skies and fluffy white clouds. Leave a Comment
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The Library on 5th Avenue lets you book a slot for internet access free of charge. It's a great way of sending messages to your friends and family, and you get the chance to see inside a really lovely building. On a hot day, it's beautifully cool, you have to book your slot in advance, then we returned a n hour or so later. Who said that you can't get something for nothing ???? Take a good look at the stone lions( Patience and Fortitude I think they're called.....when we visited in October one year, the Yankees were playing in the World Series, and they had Yankkes hats on !!!). Really nice park at the rear of the library. It's nice to grab some lunch and sit in there to catch your breath. Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: http://www.nypl.org/
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 Is this Patience of
Fortitude??? by bugalugs
They have apparently had different names over the years since they came to sit here in 1911. At one time called Leo Astor and Leo Lenox after the founders of the library but in the 1930's the then mayor named them Patience and Fortitude after the people of New York who were going through the depression and the names have stayed with them. Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: http://www.nypl.org/
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 by roamer61
The picture shows one of the famous lions that guards the entrance to the buiding. Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: http://www.nypl.org/
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On my recent visit to New York, I finally had a few minutes to visit the interior. Take the elevator up to the 3rd floor to see the Rose Main Reading Room, a room nearly 2 blocks long with ceilings covered in murals, rows of oak tables and carved woodwork. Other highlights include the DeWitt Periodical Room on the 1st floor, the McGraw Rotunda at the top of the main staircase and the Astor Hall, the marble foyer on the 5th Avenue side. I think I saw a sign with guided tours so stop at the information desk if you are interested or check out their website.
I love the marble lions standing guard outside the Library, I have bookends that I bought years before I ever went to New York at home Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: http://www.nypl.org/
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 images of the New York
Public Library by mrclay2000Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: www.nypl.org
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 the lions named Patience and
Fortitude by Christophe_Ons, 4 more photos
The main entrance is on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd St, the two impressive stone lions that guard the steps were named "Patience" and "Fortitude" by Fiorello LaGuardia, New York City's mayor in the 30's.
There is an immense reading room on the third floor, the Rose Main Reading Room, which stretches two blocks. It reopened in 1998 after a $ 15 million renovation. Below it are 88 miles / 140km of shelves, holding over seven million volumes. The original library combined the collections of John Jacob Astor and James Lenox, the collection includes Thomas Jefferson's hand written copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Adress : 5th Avenue at 42nd St
Opening hours : Mon & Sat 10am-6pm, Tue & Wed 11am-7:30pm - hours vary and there are also tours available, check web site.
Bryant Park spreads out behind the library, an elegant lawn usually filled in the warm months with lunching office workers; the stage at the head of the park hosts free cultural events throughout the summer, including screenings of classic films and jazz concerts. In spring and fall, world-famous fashion shows take place here. The park used to be a hangout for drug dealers and other undesirables in the 60's - it was closed and renovated in 1989 and is now considered safe (open 7am-9pm). Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 869 - 8089Directions: Subway : D,F to 42nd St (at 6th Ave / Bryant Park) N,Q,R,S,1,2,3,9 to Times Square / 42nd at Broadway St (then walk one block east to Bryant Park) 4,5,6 to Grand Central Terminal (42nd St) (then walk one block west to the library) 7 to 5th Ave / 42nd StWebsite: http://www.nypl.org/
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in the NYPL. The Library is a really nice building with interesting exhibits.
We saw a very emotional and stirring Foto Exhibition about September 11 there. Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: http://www.nypl.org
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 by cjg1Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: http://www.nypl.org/
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 The New York Public Library
main office. by seamandrew
It was thanks to philanthropists such as Samuel J. Tilden, John Jacob Astor, and James Lenox and with the help of John Bigelow that the New York Public Library was formed. In 1895, it was decided to combine the Astor and Lenox libraries to form one great library. Dr. John Shaw Billings, one of the most brilliant librarians of his day, was named director. Billings knew exactly what he wanted. His design, briefly sketched on a scrap of paper, became the early blueprint for the majestic structure that has become the landmark building, known for its lions.
It was completed on May 23rd, 1911.
Steel baron Andrew Carnegie offered $5.2 million to construct a system of branch libraries throughout New York City, provided the City would supply the sites and fund the libraries' maintenance and operations. This was the stepping ground to one of the largest library systems worldwide.
Almost overnight, The New York Public Library became a vital part of the intellectual fabric of American life. Among its earliest beneficiaries were recently arrived immigrants, for whom the Library provided contact with the literature and history of their new country as well as the heritage that these people brought with them.
The branch system has grown to include 85 libraries, with collections totaling 6.6 million items. Its collections have contributed to such innovations as the splitting of the atom to the creation of the Xerox photocopying machine. Its holdings have also played a vital role in the creation of innumerable works in the arts, literature, and history. It is certainly one of New York's most precious gems! Leave a Comment Phone: (212) 930-0830Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.Website: http://www.nypl.org/
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