The Kips Bay Branch of The New York Public Library
opened in 1972, replacing two former libraries: St. Gabriel's and
Nathan Straus. Designed by the award-winning architect, Giorgio
Cavaglieri, it was one of the first branches to be built fully accessible
to people who use wheelchairs. The branch is named after a 17th-century
farmer, Jacobus Kip, whose farm extended from Second Avenue and
35th Street to the bay that came to bear his name. On the first
floor there are adult, young adult, and reference collections. Non-print
materials available for borrowing include CDs, videos, and books-on-tape.
The children's room is located on the second floor and has a collection
of books, videos, and book/cassettes available for borrowing.
