CitiDexLI
Libraries in New York
CitiDex
New York City |
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New York is home to hundreds of public, private and academic libraries
Public Libraries:
New York City has three independent public library systems. They are: The New York Public Library (which operates libraries in Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island), The Brooklyn Public Library, and the Queensborough Public Library. Each library system has a central library and several branch libraries.
Public libraries are open to the public for general use, but you must have a library card to check out items. Rules and conditions for membership vary, so call the general phone numbers listed for each library. For more information visit the library home page at www.nypl.org.
More than just reference materials, libraries offer a number of concerts, poetry readings, and art exhibitions. Details are available by calling the library or looking at library web sites.
Private Libraries
There are many private libraries in New York, most belonging to universities. In general, these libraries are not open to the public, but there are ways to gain access. Academics, such as professors and researchers, can often get special passes to use university libraries. Also, the Metropolitan New York Library Council issues "Metro" passes which enables the public to have limited access to private libraries throughout New York City. This pass is only avaliable to members of another library, public or private, and only if the material you are looking for is not available in the public library. The host library determines the type of access and the amount of time you may be in the library, as well as whether or not you may check materials out. For more information about Metro pass, call 212-930-0831 or visit the web site metro.org/webs.html for a compresentive list of libraries in the greater metropolitan area.
Also, some libraries, such as those at Columbia and New York University, sell memberships.
For a complete list of universities and information about their libraries visit the city's www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/culture/html/collegespage.
New York Public Library; www.nypl.org
Information on catalogs, what's new, exhibitions, membership programs, and unique meeting/event space.
Libraries in New York
Humanities & Social Sciences Library |
| 5th Ave./42nd St., | Library 212-930-0830 | ||
| Website: | nypl.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Metropolitan New York Library Council |
| Multiple reference & research library organization, including nearly 1200 academic, hospital, law, business, research, public, school, archival, & other types of libraries. | |||
| 57 E. 11th St., Greenwich Village NY 10003 | Tel 212-228-2320 | ||
| Fax: | 212-228-2598; | Website: | metro.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Mid-Manhattan Library |
| 455 Fifth Ave., Murray Hill NY 10016 40th St., | Tel 212-340-0849 | ||
| Guides: | 212-340-0944; | Website: | nypl.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo & We 9-21; Tu & Th 11-19; Fr & Sa 10-18 Map | |||
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, NYPL |
| 455 Fifth Ave., Murray Hill NY 10016 40th St., | Tel 212-870-1630 | ||
| Website: | nypl.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Science, Industry, And Business Library, NYPL |
| Specialized branch of New York Public Library; collections about business, math, and technology. Computer stations available. | |||
| 188 Madison Ave., Murray Hill NY 10016 | Tel 212-592-7000 | ||
| Website: | nypl.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo, Fr, Sa 10-18; Tu, We, Th 11-19 Map | |||
The New York Public Library - Humanities and Social Sciences Library |
| Flanked by the stone lions Patience and Fortitude, The Humanities and Social Sciences Library is the best-known building in the The New York Public Library system. The grand exterior is matched by an interior that includes the magnificent Rose Main Reading Room, marble-clad Astor Hall, rooms for exhibitions and lectures, and research collections containing about six million books. | |||
| Fifth Avenue & 42nd St., | Tel 212-661-7220 | ||
| Tel: | 212-930-0641; | Website: | nypl.org |
|---|---|---|---|
Baruch College - Newman Library |
| 151 E. 25th St., Midtown South NY 10010 | Tel 212-802-2420 | ||
| Tel: | 212-802-2440; | Information: | 212-802-2400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website: | baruch.cuny.edu | ||
| Map | |||
Butler Library at Columbia University |
| 535 W. 114th St., Morningside Heights NY 10027 | Tel 212-854-2271 | ||
| Website: | columbia.edu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Dominican Studies Institute |
| Amsterdam Ave., 138th St., | Tel 212-650-7496 | ||
| Website: | ccny.cuny.edu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Center Library - CUNY |
| Open to the public on weekdays only. | |||
| 365 Fifth Ave., Murray Hill NY 10036 | Tel 212-817-7040 | ||
| Website: | library.gc.cuny.edu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Hunter College Library |
| 695 Park Ave., Lenox Hill NY 10021 | Tel 212-772-4146 | ||
| Fax: | 212-772-4142; | Website: | library.hunter.cuny.edu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Municipal Archives |
| City of New York Department of Records & Information Services. | |||
| 31 Chambers St., CivicCenter NY 10007 , | Tel 212-788-8580 | ||
| Fax: | 212-385-0984 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
NetLibrary |
| It helps to access the collection 24 hours a day 7 days a week; search thousands of titles by keyword, author, subject, or title; check out eBooks and view them online; purchase electronic or hardcopy of versions of books. | |||
| Website: | netlibrary.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|
New York Academy of Medicine |
| 1216 Fifth Ave., East Harlem NY 10029 | Tel 212-822-7200 | ||
| Fax: | 212-876-6620; | Website: | nyam.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
New York University Law Library |
| 40 Wash. Sq. So., Greenwich Village NY 10012 | Tel 212-998-6300 | ||
| Website: | law.nyu.edu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo-Th 8-23:30, F 8-20, Sat-Sun 9-21 Map | |||
NYU - Bobst Library |
| 70 Wash. Sq. So., Greenwich Village NY 10012 | Information 212-998-2505 | ||
| Website: | nyu.edu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
U.S. Circuit Library Reference Desk - Chinatown |
| 500 Pearl St., Chinatown NY 10007 | Tel 212-857-8950 | ||
| Map | |||
U.S. Circuit Library Reference Desk - CivicCenter |
| 40 Foley Sq., CivicCenter NY 10007 | Tel 212-857-8900 | ||
| Map | |||
Donnell Library Center |
| Focused collections on media & world languages. Largest collection of materials in languages other than English. Located directly across from the Museum of Modern Art. | |||
| 20 W. 53rd St., Midtown NY 10019 | Switchboard 212-621-0618 | ||
| TTY Line ( Deaf ): | 212-621-0560; | Website: | nypl.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours vary for different sections. Reference open Mo,We,Fr 10-18; Tu,Th 10-20; Sa 10-17 & Su 13-17. Map | |||
French Institute Alliance Francaise |
| Their website includes calendar of performances, films, lectures, and events; descriptions of all French language courses; info on their collection of books, periodicals, videos, audio materials & CD-ROMs. Cine-Club Calendar | |||
| 22 E. 60th St., Lenox Hill NY 10022 Park/Madiosn Ave, | Tel 212-355-6100 | ||
| Fax: | 212-935-4119; | Website: | fiaf.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Frick Art Library |
| 10 E. 71st St., Lenox Hill NY 10021 | Tel 212-288-8700 | ||
| Website: | frick.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Goethe Institute |
| The New York branch of Munich's Goethe-Institut, located in a Beaux-Arts town house contains a cultural center, art gallery, and library. Admission is free. | |||
| 1014 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side NY 10028 82nd/83rd Sts, | Tel 212-439-8700 | ||
| Fax: | 212-439-8705; | Website: | goethe.de |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Irene Lewisohn Costume Reference Library |
| Located in the lower level of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. | |||
| 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side NY 10028 Basement of the Ebgyptian Wing, | Tel 212-650-2723 | ||
| Website: | metmuseum.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Italian Cultural Institute |
| 686 Park Ave., Lenox Hill NY 10021 68th/69th Sts., | Tel 212-879-4242 | ||
| Fax: | 212-861-4018; | Website: | italcultny.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-F 10-16; the Library is open by appointment only. Map | |||
Jewish Theological Seminary |
| 3080 Broadway, Morningside Heights NY 10027 | Tel 212-678-8000 | ||
| Website: | jtsa.edu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Mercantile Library |
| 17 E. 47th St., Midtown NY 10017 | Tel 212-755-6710 | ||
| Website: | mercantilelibrary.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Morgan Library |
| Formerly the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan in the early 1900s. Collection focuses on art, literature and rare books. Suggested admission: $8/adults; $6 for seniors/students & children under 12 free. | |||
| 29 E. 36th St., Murray Hill NY 10016 | Tel 212-685-0610 | ||
| E-mail: | media@morganlibrary.org; | Website: | morganlibrary.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check website. Map | |||
NY Society Library |
| Private library for writers & students. Annual membership is about $90. | |||
| 53 E. 79th St., Upper East Side NY 10021 | Tel 212-288-6900 | ||
| Website: | nysoclib.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture |
| The Schomburg Center is a repository for global black history and culture. The center's collection of over five million items includes books, manuscripts, art objects, audio-and videotapes, films, newspapers, periodicals, photographs and prints, recorded music and sheet music. | |||
| 515 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem NY 10037-1801 | Tel 212-491-2200 | ||
| Website: | schomburgcenter.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
115th St. Library |
| 203 W. 115th St., Harlem NY 10026 | Tel 212-666-9393 | ||
| M/W 10-18, Tu 12-20, Th/Fri 12-18 and Sat 13-17 Map | |||
125th Street Library |
| 224 E. 125th St., Harlem NY 10035 | Tel 212-534-5050 | ||
| m 13-19, t/w/th 10-18, fri 13-18, sat 13-17 Map | |||
58th Street Library |
| Book discussion groups; mostly books for adults, not children. Internet access available even without card. | |||
| 127 E. 58th St., Midtown NY 10022 | Tel 212-759-7358 | ||
| m 10-18, t 12-18, w 12-20 th 10-18, f 12-18 sat 12-17 Map | |||
67th Street Library |
| 328 E. 67th St., Uptown East NY 10021 | Tel 212-734-1717 | ||
| m 12-18, t/w 12-20, th 10-18, f 12-18, sat 12-17 Map | |||
96th Street Library |
| 112 E. 96th St., Carnegie Hill NY 10128 | Tel 212-289-0908 | ||
| m 12-20, t/w 10-18, th 12-20, f 12-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
Aguilar Library |
| 174 E. 110th St., East Harlem NY 10029 | Tel 212-534-2930 | ||
| m 13-18, t 10-18, w 13-18. th 11-19, f 10-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
Bloomingdale Library |
| 150 W. 100th St., Upper West Side NY 10025 | Tel 212-222-8030 | ||
| m 13-18, t 12-20, w 10-18, th 12-18, f 10-18 sat 10-17 Map | |||
Cathedral Library |
| 560 Lexington Ave., Midtown NY 10022 | Tel 212-752-3824 | ||
| Website: | nypl.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Central Library |
| Central library for the Brooklyn system of public libraries. | |||
| Eastern Pkwy., | Tel 718-230-2100 | ||
Chatham Square Library |
| 33 East Broadway, Lower East Side NY 10002 | Tel 212-964-6598 | ||
| Map | |||
Columbus Library |
| Film program for children; books in Spanish. English taught to non-speakers during fall, winter and spring. | |||
| 742 Tenth Ave., Clinton NY 10019 50th/51st Sts., | Tel 212-586-5098 | ||
| m 12-18, t 10-18, w/th 12-20, f 12-18, sat 13-17 Map | |||
Countee Cullen Library |
| 104 W. 136th St., Harlem NY 10030 | Tel 212-491-2070 | ||
| m/t 10-18, w 12-20, th/f 12-18. sat 10-17 Map | |||
Epiphany Library |
| 228 E. 23rd St., Stuyvesant NY 10010 | Tel 212-679-2645 | ||
| m 12-20, t 10-18, w 12-20, th/f 10-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
Fort Washington Library |
| 535 W. 179th St., Washington Heights NY 10033 | Tel 212-927-3533 | ||
| m/t/w 10-18, th 13-20, f 10-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
George Bruce Library |
| 518 W. 125th St., Morningside Heights NY 10011 | Tel 212-662-9727 | ||
| Map | |||
Hamilton Fish Park Library |
| 415 East Houston St., Lower East Side NY 10002 | Tel 212-673-2290 | ||
| m 13-18, t/w 10-18. th 13-19, f 13-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
Hamilton Grange Library |
| 704 St. Nicholas Ave., Audubon NY 10031 | Tel 212-926-2147 | ||
| m/t 12-18, w 12-20, th 10-18, f 12-18, sat 12-17 Map | |||
Harlem Public Library |
| Temporari;y relocated to 2011 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. | |||
| 9 W. 124th St., Harlem NY 10027 | Tel 212-348-5620 | ||
| M-W 10-18, Th 13-20, Fr 13-18 and Sat 13-17 Map | |||
Hudson Park Library |
| 66 Leroy St., West Village NY 10014 | Tel 212-243-6876 | ||
| m 12-18, t/w 10-18, th 12-20, f 12-18, sat 13-17 Map | |||
Inwood Library |
| 4790 Broadway, Inwood NY 10034 | Tel 212-942-2445 | ||
| Map | |||
Jefferson Market Library |
| Public library with community garden; it was formerly a courthouse. | |||
| 425 Avenue of Americas, Greenwich Village NY 10011 | Tel 212-243-4334 | ||
| Mo 10-18, Tu 12-18, We 12-20, Th 10-18, Fr 12-18, Sa 10-17 Map | |||
Kips Bay Library |
| 446 Third Ave., Midtown South NY 10016 | Tel 212-683-2520 | ||
| Map | |||
Macomb's Bridge Library |
| 2650 A. Clayton Powell Jr, Blvd., Harlem NY 10039 | Tel 212-281-4900 | ||
| m/th/f 14-20, t/w 11-13, 14-20, sat 13-17 Map | |||
Mid-Manhattan Library |
| Collections focus on education, health, and languages. The largest reference section of the NY Public Library System. Job Information Center on the 2nd floor has many resources for job seekers. | |||
| 455 Fifth Ave., Murray Hill NY 10016 40th St., | Tel 212-340-0849 | ||
| Guides: | 212-340-0944; | Website: | nypl.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo & We 9-21; Tu & Th 11-19; Fr & Sa 10-18 Map | |||
Morningside Heights Public Library |
| Formerly Columbia Public Library. | |||
| 2900 Broadway, Morningside Heights NY 10025 | Tel 212-864-2530 | ||
| M/Tu 10-18, W/F 13-18, Th 13-20 and Sat 13-17 Map | |||
Muhlenberg Library |
| 209 W. 23rd St., Chelsea NY | Tel 212-924-1585 | ||
| Map | |||
New Amsterdam Public Library |
| 9 Murray St., Financial District NY 10007 | Switchboard 212-732-8186 | ||
| M 12-18; Tu, Th & F 10-18; W 12-20 and Sat 12-17 Map | |||
New York Public Library Information |
| Fifth Ave., Greenwich Village NY 10018 | Information 212-340-0849 | ||
| Website: | nypl.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Ottendorfer Library |
| 135 Second Ave., Lower East Side NY 10003 | Tel 212-674-0947 | ||
| Map | |||
Queens Borough Public Library System |
| Central library for the Queensborough public library system. | |||
| 89-11 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica, NY, | Tel 718-990-0714 | ||
| Information: | 718-990-0778; | TDD for Hearing Impaired: | 718-990-0809 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website: | queenslibrary.org | ||
| Mo-Fr 10 -21, Sa 10-17:30, Sept-May Su 12-17 | |||
Riverside Library |
| 127 Amsterdam Ave., Lincoln Center NY 10023 | Tel 212-870-1810 | ||
| m 10-18, t 12-18, w/th 12-20, f 12-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
Roosevelt Island Public Library |
| 524 Main St NY, NY 10044, | Switchboard 212-308-6243 | ||
| M & W 12-20; Tu & F 12-18; Th 10-18 & Sat 12-17 | |||
Seward Park Library |
| 192 East Broadway, Lower East Side NY 10002 | Tel 212-477-6770 | ||
| m 12-20, t/w 10-18. th 12-20, f 10-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
St. Agnes Library |
| 444 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side NY 10024 | Tel 212-877-4380 | ||
| m/t 12-20, w 12-18, th 10-18, f 12-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
Terence Cardinal Cooke-Cathedral Public Library |
| 560 Lexington Ave., Midtown NY 10022 | Switchboard 212-752-3824 | ||
| Map | |||
Tompkins Square Library |
| 331 E. 10th St., East Village NY 10009 | Tel 212-228-4747 | ||
| m 10-18, t/w 12-20, th 10-18, f 12-18, sat 10-17 Map | |||
Washington Heights Library |
| 1000 St. Nicholas Ave., Washington Heights NY 10032 | Tel 212-923-6054 | ||
| m 13-19, t/w/th 10-18. f 13-18, sat 13-17 Map | |||
Webster Library |
| 1465 York Ave., Yorkville NY 10021 | Tel 212-288-5049 | ||
| m 10-18, t/w 12-18, th 13-20, f 10-18, sat 13-17 Map | |||
Early Childhood Library |
| 66 Leroy St., West Village NY 10014 | Tel 212-929-0815 | ||
| Website: | nypl.org | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Map | |||
Andrew Heiskell Braille & Talking Book Library (NYPL) |
| Library for the blind and physically handicapped | |||
| 40 W. 20th St., Flatiron District NY 10011 | Tel 212-206-5400 | ||
| TDD for Hearing Impaired: | 212-206-5458; | E-mail: | ahlbph@nypl.org |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website: | talkingbooks.nypl.org | ||
| Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa Map | |||