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Children's Center at 42nd Street

Ground Floor, Room 84

Phone: (212) 621-0208

Fully accessible to wheelchairs

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
10:00 AM -
6:00 PM
10:00 AM -
7:30 PM
10:00 AM -
7:30 PM
10:00 AM -
6:00 PM
10:00 AM -
6:00 PM
10:00 AM -
6:00 PM
1:00 PM -
5:00 PM

All units of the New York Public Library will be closed on Monday, February 20th in observance of President's Day.

November 2008 marked the return of a circulating children’s library to The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. The Children’s Center at 42nd Street continues NYPL's tradition as a national leader in children's services.

The collection offers a wealth of circulating materials for children of all ages, and for adults with an interest in children’s literature, music, and media. The collection, services, and facilities include:

  • A well-rounded selection of informational books targeted to children’s educational and curricular needs.
  • Generous collections of picture book stories for sharing with younger readers, easy storybooks for newly independent readers, and novels for readers up to age twelve.
  • Collections of musical CDs, books on CD, video games, and DVDs for children.
  • Eight PC stations with internet access, available by appointment and reserved for use by children twelve and under.
  • A flat screen cable TV with gaming equipment for special programs.
  • Trained professional children’s librarians always on hand to help patrons of all ages to navigate NYPL catalogs and other resources.

The Children’s Center at 42nd Street features on-going public programs for young people and their families. From intimate readings to large-scale events, programming includes storytelling, musical and theatrical performances, spoken word performances, and guest appearances by authors and illustrators. The Children’s Center at 42nd Street is a 'go to' destination for kids from infancy to age 12, as well as their parents and caregivers.

Upcoming Events

Today
2 p.m. Showtime! Children's Films
Thursday, February 16, 2012
10:30 a.m. Toddler Storytime
11:30 a.m. Toddler Storytime
Friday, February 17, 2012
4:30 p.m. Bookalicious! Book Discussion Group
Saturday, February 18, 2012
11:30 a.m. Reading Aloud
More upcoming events

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