Things to Know Before Visiting the New York Public Library
Planning to visit the New York Public Library? Here are some important things to know before you go!
As a native New Yorker, I absolutely love our city’s library system. It’s one of the best in the world! Many visitors who come to New York find themselves near the flagship location of the New York Public Library, which is in Midtown Manhattan by Bryant Park, but have no idea what’s actually inside.
If you enjoy books and reading, the library is a must-visit! It’s one of my top recommendations for things to do in my guide to NYC for book lovers. And even if you aren’t a huge reader or a big fan of libraries normally, I still think it’s worth taking some time to pop into this library and have a look around.
Here are some things you should know before you visit the library:
1. The flagship location is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
The New York Public Library has 88 locations across the five boroughs of the city, as well as four research centers, one of which is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. This is the flagship location of the NYPL, and it is by far the most iconic building, located at Fifth Avenue and East 41st Street in Manhattan.
The grand marble building is adjacent to Bryant Park and also close to Grand Central Station. It opened in 1901, and it is known for its extensive historical collections. If you are planning to visit the New York Public Library while you’re in NYC, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is where you will go!
2. It’s free to visit the library
You don’t have to pay a penny to visit the New York Public Library, which is why it makes my list of the best free things to do in NYC. In a city that’s so expensive, it’s always nice to find free attractions!
One of the best things about libraries as a whole is that they are free and dedicated to making books and information accessible to everyone. So naturally, it makes sense that the NYPL is free to visit.
3. Free guided tours are available
One of the best free things you can do at the New York Public Library is take a guided tour. I highly recommend taking one of these docent-led tours, because you’ll learn a lot about the library’s history, and get to see some of the most beautiful spaces in the library that many visitors do not get to see.
Tours are one hour long and happen Monday through Saturday at 11 AM and 2 PM. There are also 15-minute tours that just visit the Rose Main Reading Room at 11:20 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM. It’s a good idea to book your free tickets online in advance for the tour, because spaces are limited and fill up quickly.
4. There’s a free museum inside
Inside the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, if you walk directly to the back of the lobby, you will find the entrance to the Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library’s Treasures. This is an amazing free museum consisting of a large room with rotating exhibitions of unique items from the library’s collection.
There are always fascinating artifacts on display, and some are there permanently — like the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed bear (plus some of Pooh’s friends!) from A. A. Milne’s classic children’s story.
5. It’s possible to visit the Rose Main Reading Room
The Rose Main Reading Room is one of the highlights of the Stephen A. Schwarman Building. This expansive room features vaulted ceilings with beautiful murals, arched windows, and bookshelf-lined walls. There are rows of tables with banker’s lamps, where people often sit to study, research, or work.
The best way to visit the Rose Main Reading Room is on a guided tour of the NYPL, or on one of the 15-minute Rose Main Reading Room tours. Additionally, the room is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 11 AM. If you try to visit at any other time, you will most likely be turned away.
I will tell you a little secret, though. You don’t need to be a library member or a New York resident to enter the Rose Main Reading Room. You just need to say you’re there for quiet reading or study. However, it’s important to actually do this — don’t enter the room and wander around taking photos or talking loudly.
6. There are free public restrooms
I always see tourists waiting in a long line to use the small public restroom just outside the library in Bryant Park, and I want to shake them and tell them there are much better options close by!
Inside the New York Public Library, just off the lobby, you will find clean, free public restrooms (women’s to the right and men’s to the left.) There are also more public restrooms throughout the building.
7. You can’t bring large bags or luggage inside
One important thing to note about visiting the New York Public Library is that you can’t bring large bags or luggage inside. You will go through a bag check upon entering, and they will let you know you can’t enter with oversized bags. So this is not a place to stop before catching a train or heading to the airport!
There are also no coat check facilities available to visitors at the New York Public Library, so if you have a coat, scarf, umbrella, or anything else, you will have to carry it with you on your visit.
8. It’s closed on Sundays in the summer
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is typically open every day of the week, except for holidays and some other days when there are special events happening. You can see the full closure calendar here.
It’s also important to note that the building is closed on Sundays in July and August. So if you’re planning a trip to New York in the summer, you’ll want to make sure you visit the NYPL on a day that’s not Sunday.
9. There’s a gift shop and cafe
There is a gift shop and a cafe at the New York Public Library, both adjacent to the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures. This is a great place to shop for souvenirs or take a break.
The menu at the cafe features coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and salads. I’ve never actually eaten here (it’s definitely a bit overpriced!), but it’s good to know about in case you are hungry and want a bite to eat.
10. The lions outside the library have names
One more thing to know about the New York Public Library is a fun fact about the two stone lions that grace either side of the entrance. These statues have been sentinels of the library for over a century. They were installed in 1911, and they have become recognizable symbols of the New York Public Library.
But did you know these two statues have names? Patience and Fortitude are the names of the lions! You’ll often see them sporting festive accessories, like holly wreaths in the winter and floral wreaths in spring. They also get decked out for other events, donning graduation caps or NY Yankees baseball caps!
Things to Know Before Visiting the New York Public Library
These are some of the most important things to know before visiting the New York Public Library. It’s one of my favorite free places in the city, and a place that I recommend all visitors check out.
If you love books and libraries, you’ll be dazzled by the Beaux-Arts architecture of the NYPL and all of the treasures within. And even if you aren’t a big reader, you’ll still find a welcome respite from the crowds of Manhattan and a quiet place where you can sit and rest your legs. So it’s absolutely worth stopping by!
Enjoy your visit to the New York Public Library!
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