The library is beautiful and majestic and I'm glad we visited during our trip. We didn't plan to…read morecome here but we were nearby at Bryant Park and decided to walk in. The library and exhibits are free to enter. For it being free I thought it would be way more crowded but it was manageable. It's really opulent inside and so beautiful, I loved watching all the wedding photoshoots going one. I bought recommend going to the top floor to see the mural on the ceiling. The best part was cooling down in the building LOL. Would def come back next time we're in New York.

I finally toured the NYPL Schwartzman Building last weekend after having it on my to do list for…read more... years? I'm so glad I finally made it! Also known as the Main Branch or just the New York Public Library, it's the flagship building for the library system. It was built after the New York Public Library was formed as a public-private partnership with two private libraries. The building opened to the public on May 23, 1911. The building was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, and it's gorgeous. The library offers docent-led building tours Monday through Saturday at 11am and 2pm. You book tickets online, and they release tickets every Sunday for the week ahead. You meet in the Visitor Center on the first floor for a one-hour tour. The tour was great. You learn about the history of the building and the library and then are taken by the docent to several beautiful areas of the library. The building is huge, and I really appreciated a guided tour which takes you to the highlights of the building. I'm not sure I would have found all the spaces on my own, and the architecture is worth it. They also have a permanent exhibit which highlights items from their research collections: "The Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library's Treasures." Unfortunately, the exhibit was closed for a bit of time to change out some of the items on display (March 12-20, 2026) and that meant I couldn't visit the exhibit when I was there. They also have a gift shop. The docent who led my tour (Athena) was great, and I really enjoyed my tour of the library. I'll be back again for the Polonsky exhibit and a walk around on my own!

I am not gonna lie, I was not familiar with the NYPL's game. Each location is very unique and well…read moremaintained it caught me so off guard. It has become one of my favorite parts of NYC to be honest. This location is definately no different. Right across from MOMA, near peak 5th avenue and the Rockefeller Center, it is very accessible for plenty of tourist. As a student, it is always lovely to find new places to sit down and get work done across NYC, and walking into this location, I was unsure what to expect. When you first enter its a narrow ally-way with books to your right and left. But turning the corner leads you to this stunning staircase that is surprisingly a nice comfortable place to pause, rest, and enjoy your day during a peak NYC day. With some-what reliable wifi, you can sit down and fet some work done. There are several selection of books, although I heard people do complain that this location lacks in this department compared to other libraries across NYC. There are group desk and private desk, super nice and friendly staff, and clean bathrooms. Love this well maintained library. Sometimes baby sitters would bring toddlers here during lunch, and I would find several babies for some reason, which would catch me off-guard. Overall, super impress with NYPL, several seating areas to get work done, and sometimes reliable wifi. Several outlets too. My only two request is better wifi, and longer hours.

This was an accidental wonderful discovery. We were parked in the garage nearby and they were not…read moreable to retrieve our car for like an hour or two so we decided to walk around the area to see if there's someplace to wait. Found the library and we decided to head inside. We went downstairs to their children's section and my son was able to play, read, and interact with the other kids there. The two hours of waiting went by fast. My son didn't get bored and I was able to start a new book. Win win for the both of us.

No question my favorite branch of the NYPL system…read more Aside from its wide collection of books i Love the historic gothic-victorian desigh of the building. I also enjoy the quiet & warm atmosphere of the reading rooms with its old school charm. I can spend hours here browsing its shelves & getting lost in pages of a book. If you're a New Yorker or a visitor that love books this place is a must see/ must visit!

Cool location, but very difficult to find seating. Not recommended for those looking for a good…read morework from home spot.

Sue is the nicest librarian I've met. She really helped out trying to find accelerated readers…read morebooks for my kid. You can also bring drinks inside but limited to the areas.

Love this library. So Many floors, so many books and a great…read morecommunity & event space. Its a quiet place to read, attend class, they even have movie screenings. They got bathrooms in almost every floor & a rooftop terrace in the summer. If you are a lover of books & enjoy visiting third spaces, this library is a perfect place for you! Highly recommend!

On the way to an appointment, I dropped by to return a book…read more Then, I decided to browse the isles. The library is small but convenient. It is on the 58th between Lexington and Park Ave . The 4 5 6 train to Lexington will bring you right here. Their hours are 10 5 Supporting our local libraries is very important

58th Street Library is not one of my favorite branches. I rarely stop in here when I'm in the…read moreneighborhood. I'm still giving them Five Stars because they are part of the Greatest Library System in the World! I'm a huge fan of the New York Public Library. Cardholders can check out digital books online these days. Rarely have I been disappointed when I'm looking for a particular book. If I can't find what I'm looking for I go to a branch like this one when I'm in the neighborhood. The employees are usually helpful. Since this branch is close to my doctors offices I may stop in and pick up something to read. I recommend wherever you live that you support your public library.

Came in to do some studying between lunch and dinner plans. It was not too busy during a weekday…read moreduring the work day. It was fine to study for an hour but if your laptop is dying, outlets seem hard to come by. Additionally, for a hot summer day, while not sweltering inside, it was still pretty warm.

A nice library. It's a good size, and has comfy chairs. It has great air conditioning, which was a…read moremust during the recent heat wave. Oh, and I got a library card!

I use the computer and read magazines. Very pleasant atmosphere…read more I occasionally watch a movie, a plus.

I pick up ordered books or browse new books. It's a pleasant place to read magazines. The staff is…read moreextremely helpful and friendly. I havent taken advantage of the club offerings --there seem to be many. I see many children going to the second floor.

After reading The Personal Librarian, I've wanted to visit the museum. I was finally able to go on…read moreone of the free Friday nights It is open from 5-8 pm. From outside you can see the Morgan home building- one of the remaining Gilded Age mansions. The atrium entrance is beautiful with lots of natural light and soaring ceilings. A coat check and cafe are located in the atrium entrance. Bathrooms are on the lower level. The cafe has wine, charcuterie and other snacks. Musicians play in the atrium. It is a very fun atmosphere. The library in comparison is small. Two levels of books line the walls. JP Morgan's desk and chairs are on display. Several books including the Gutenberg Bible are displayed in glass cases. The room also has a huge fireplace. The museum also has changing exhibits. We saw a cool exhibit on the Book of Psalms and another on Renoir's drawings. Both were interesting! Walking to the gift shop, you can see the foyer entrance to the Morgan house. The house is not open to the public. The gift shop had some unique items as well as typical gift shop items. I'm so happy I went to see the library!

This is a must-see spot if you've heard of Belle da Costa Greene, the Black woman who became JP…read moreMorgan's personal librarian, helping him build his incredible collection of precious and rare books, including three Guttenberg Bibles and several illuminated manuscripts. She also became, for a time, the highest paid woman in America. The Library and Museum entry fee is a bit expensive for those less familiar with this story, or frankly, those hoping for either a full and circulating library like the nearby NY Public Library (with its iconic lions) or a massive museum like several throughout NYC. That said, this place is a delight for folks like me who are interested in the history and lives of the Gilded Age robber barons in the City. The Library is housed in JP's mansion, with only the gorgeous rotunda at the original entrance, and the rooms that house the Library open to the public. While much of the library collection is in inaccessible to visitors and stored in stunning shelves and cases behind glass, many of the jewels Morgan acquired are on view for a closer look. Also on view on the main level are several sculptures, important musical scores (some acquired after Morgan's death - the Museum trustees use that high entry fee for acquisitions and preservation), small but important items from the ancient world, and a gorgeously decorated massive fireplace. The building expansion houses traveling and temporary art installations, many of which are consistent with Morgan's tastes in collecting. There's a lovely café behind the current first floor entry space, and a room with (generally) more contemporary artists being exhibited. Special exhibits are mostly upstairs and often include works with a religious theme (Bibles and psalters from many religious traditions and in many languages; a Caravaggio, Bellini and Perugino show; and other kinds of things like Renoir's drawings; music-themed exhibits; and one on story-telling through the centuries. The wonderful gift shop is also on the upper floor. We loved touring the Library and Museum, but for those who aren't sure yet, stop by on Friday for 5-8pm, when admission is free. You may even find yourself willing to visit a second time!

My kids love Rh library and they were very accommodating. They often spend hours exploring the…read moreshelves, lost in the world of books. The staff knows them by name and always have great recommendations. On weekends, we attend storytime sessions, where the kids can listen to their favorite tales and even participate in fun activities. It's become our favorite family outing, and I've noticed their reading skills improving immensely. The library has truly become a second home for us, filled with adventures waiting to be discovered.

Updated 2025 Books, Recommended Request On Popular Books & Resources Is Known With Staff To Get…read moreHelp With Classes & Events.