Guarded by two marble lions (south: "Patience"; north: "Fortitude"), this was the largest marble structure in the US when it opened in 1911. To admire the whole building, head across Fifth Ave to the 7th-floor terrace of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation branch library. To this day, it is a lavish public temple, particularly in the gorgeous Rose Main Reading Room, with its soaring coffered ceiling painted with celestial themes and serene rows of gleaming work tables. Access is restricted to 15-minute guided tours (offered at 11:20am, 1:30pm and 3pm Monday to Saturday) or to those "with work to do." Show a book, notebook or computer with an intent to use and you'll likely be ushered past the roped-off entrance.
You'll find temporary, museum-quality exhibitions in the sizeable ground-floor space and rooms flanking the main study. In the main building, rooms of note include the DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room (1st floor), with beautiful cityscape murals, and the Map Division. For more details about this mini-universe of books, art and architectural flourishes, join a free guided tour or grab a free audioguide from the information desk in the grand entry hall.
Across its branches, the NYPL keeps brains in gear with its string of lectures, seminars and workshops, on topics ranging from contemporary art to the writings of Jane Austen. You’ll find some of the best at the main branch on 42nd St. You can search all happenings at the library’s website.
