Posts by Frank Collerius

Rachel isn't afraid of computers, thanks to her incredible tenacity and the helpful staff at the 58th Street Library.

Are you a freelancer looking for a good place to get some work done?  Nina enjoys the free Wi-fi and great views (not to mention books and DVDs) at the Jefferson Market Library.

Veronica treats Jefferson Market like her second home, and Willa Cather definitely appreciates her for that.

Sam is a researcher who makes use of both research and circulating collections at the NYPL. We hope he gets another grant so that he can write "The Library Space as Public Living Room (With Great DVDs): An Anthro-Architectural Analysis."

Jeffrey the accountant has been coming to Jefferson Market for years; he must be able to calculate the value of books and libraries.

A book maven visits the Jefferson Market Library.

Nikko's been coming to Jefferson Market for nearly half his life! A media omnivore, the library is his Netflix alternative.

Amazing to think how something beautiful can come from something corrupt.  The inspiring Jefferson Market Library (born a courthouse) had just such a beginning. You may have heard of Boss Tweed?  William Marcy "Boss" Tweed was a 19th century politician who swindled New York City out of millions of dollars.  By the 1860s, Tweed became head of Tammany Hall, a powerful group of Democratic politicians.  He organized his associates into the Tweed Ring, which sponsored schemes for city improvements.  Millions of dollars went into the pockets of Tweed  Ring members.

“This man is Harry Thaw, charged with murder,” said Capt. Hodgins, in a voice which rang through the courtroom.

It was June 1906 in the Jefferson Market Court House and these words heralded the start of the trial for the murder that was proclaimed the Crime of the Century! (It was 90 years before O.J. Simpson took that title away).