The New York Public Library Business Center to be Named for Publisher Thomas Yoseloff

Media Contact: Angela Montefinise / angelamontefinise@nypl.org

MARCH 10, 2021—The New York Public Library will name its new, world-class Business Center for publisher Thomas Yoseloff as part of a generous leadership gift from the Anthony A. Yoseloff Foundation, and Nanar and Anthony (Tony) Yoseloff.  This most recent gift, announced today at a meeting of The New York Public Library Board of Trustees, names the Business Center for Thomas Yoseloff, Mr. Yoseloff’s grandfather.  Mr. Yoseloff has been a Trustee of the New York Public Library since 2016. 

Thomas Yoseloff was an accomplished American author, journalist and publisher who devoted much of his professional career to the publishing industry.  Most notably, Thomas Yoseloff was the owner or president of multiple leading trade publishing companies, including A.S. Barnes & Company, Bernard Ackerman Inc. and the Beechhurst Press. He was one of the first U.S. publishers to open an office in London and in 1959 purchased the Golden Cockerel Press, an English fine press.  Later in his career, Thomas Yoseloff focused primarily on academic publishing, and founded Associated University Presses, which published on behalf of several universities.  His success in the publishing industry earned him the nickname “the boy wonder of publishing.”  Thomas Yoseloff passed away in 2007.  

“The Library is so grateful to Nanar and Tony for their continued generosity, and for this most recent leadership gift,” said Anthony W. Marx, president of The New York Public Library. “The Thomas Yoseloff Business Center will support New Yorkers with job search help, small business services, and financial literacy resources. New Yorkers have long benefitted from the Yoseloffs’ dedication to our City, to education, and to lifelong learning, and we are so grateful for their support of the Library.” 

“Nanar and I are pleased to support the New York Public Library in its continued mission to inspire learning, advance knowledge and strengthen communities.  We have long advocated for the importance of education and equality of opportunity to the betterment of society and are excited to be able to provide various resources, professional development opportunities and career services through the Thomas Yoseloff Business Center,” said Mr. Yoseloff.  He continued, “My grandfather was a first generation American who moved from Iowa to New York City to establish himself and build a successful publishing business.  He dedicated his professional career to promoting learning through the written word, in all forms.  We are proud to be able to honor his legacy and believe that now is the right time to make this contribution to positively impact an iconic educational and cultural institution.  We are honored to do our part towards supporting the reopening of New York City.”

The Thomas Yoseloff Business Center is located on the fifth floor of the newly-transformed Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), The New York Public Library’s central circulating branch on Fifth Avenue and 40th Street. The new branch was transformed with the generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and New York City.  While a small part of the first floor of SNFL is currently open to the public for grab-and-go service, the whole building is not expected to open until later in 2021.  

When the Thomas Yoseloff Business Center opens, it will offer patrons access to electronic resources, comprehensive print materials, and in-person programs, classes, 1-on-1 sessions, and offerings in the fields of personal finance and investing, small business resources, business and financial research, and career services.  

The 21,000-square-foot business center will be a key part of the transformed central circulating library, designed by architects Francine Houben of Mecanoo, and Beyer Blinder Belle. In addition to the Thomas Yoseloff Business Center, SNFL will hold hundreds of thousands of books, offer space for programs and classes, include new dedicated centers for children and teens, feature a world-class Learning Center, and offer a rooftop event center and outdoor terrace overlooking Fifth Avenue. 

About The New York Public Library 

For 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.