For Immediate Release

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library serves more than 16 million patrons each year through a unique combination of four world-renowned research libraries and 87 neighborhood branches in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. Another 25 million people annually from around the world visit the Library’s website, www.nypl.org, which houses a growing collection of photographs and documents, many of them rare and historic.

Among the largest public libraries in the world, The New York Public Library boasts 2.75 million cardholders accessing more than 50 million items, from the latest DVDs to priceless treasures such as a Gutenberg Bible and a version of the Declaration of Independence written out by Thomas Jefferson. In addition, the Library presents 28,000 public programs yearly, ranging from groundbreaking art exhibitions to English-language classes to author talks and children’s readings.

History of The New York Public Library

The origins of the New York Public Library date to the time when New York was emerging as one of the world's most important cities, and needed a great library to serve its booming population.

When former Governor Samuel J. Tilden left $2.4 million to establish a free library and reading room in the city, a Tilden trustee arranged for two existing institutions, the Astor and Lenox libraries, to join forces and create The New York Public Library. The plan, inked in 1895, was hailed as an unprecedented example of private philanthropy for the public good.

A grand central library was built over 12 years on the site of the Croton Reservoir, a popular two-block strolling spot on Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. The firm of Carrère and Hastings designed and built the library, which was completed in 1911, and opened on May 23 of that year. Considered the apogee of Beaux-Arts design, the building boasts 530,000 cubic feet of white marble and a majestic reading room that spans roughly two city blocks. Today, the Fifth Avenue building contains the Library’s research collections in the humanities and social sciences. Approximately 1.2 million people pass through its doors annually to use its General Research Division and famed collections in local and United States history, art and architecture, Judaica, Slavic and Baltic books and Asian and Middle Eastern materials, along with historic maps and periodicals. It is also home to unique archives and other special and rare collections.

The New York Public Library’s extensive network of neighborhood branches originated during the same period. In 1901, steel magnate Andrew Carnegie donated funds to build 39 branches in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, and the Library absorbed 11 independent “free” libraries. Today, the Library boasts 87 branches -- 40 in Manhattan, 35 in the Bronx and 12 on Staten Island. The branches provide a wide range of free services, including circulating collections of books and recordings for adults, children, and teens, as well as free Internet access and a wide range of classes and public programs.

The landmark library on 42nd Street is one of The New York Public Library’s four major research libraries. The Science, Industry and Business Library, the nation's largest public information center devoted solely to science and business, houses a comprehensive collection of U.S. and foreign government documents, patents, local laws, small business resources, annual reports, and a wide range of science and business databases. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts features the world's most extensive combination of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in the performing arts, including historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters, and photographs. And the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world's leading research facilities devoted to the preservation of materials on the global African and African diasporan experiences, including extensive collections of black periodicals, art and artifacts, photographs, rare books, music, oral history recordings and music.

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Contact: Herb Scher 212.592.7700 hscher@nypl.org