Membership

The significance of Library donor membership runs deep. Your support helps maintain the Library's free services—millions of circulating books, a wide array of public programs, access to world-class collections, and so much more. When you donate and become a member of the Library, you join thousands of generous and compassionate New Yorkers.

Choose the membership group that's right for you and discover a wide range of great benefits, from shop and ticket discounts to members-only events.

  • Friends of the Library

    $25 - $1,499

    Join our largest community of donors and receive exclusive invitations to Holiday Open House, Library Shop, café, and ticket discounts, and year-round opportunities to celebrate with your fellow supporters.

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  • Schomburg Society

    $35+

    Celebrate and preserve Black history and culture—join the committed group of donors who support the work of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Receive invitations to exhibition previews, Schomburg Shop, Library café, and ticket discounts, and more.

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  • Friends of the Library for the Performing Arts

    $50+

    Help the Library for the Performing Arts continue to provide thought-provoking exhibitions, extraordinary collections, and dynamic programs—all free of charge. Join Friends of LPA and receive special benefits, including invitations to members-only exhibition previews, reserved seating at popular programs, and more.

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  • Young Lions

    $400+

    Meet fellow Library supporters in their 20s and 30s at exclusive events, including the annual Young Lions Fiction Award, behind-the-scenes tours of the Library's collections, private film screenings, and forums featuring young writers, artists, and innovators shaping the Library of tomorrow.

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  • Conservators

    $1,500 - $29,999

    Conservators are the intellectual and social heart of the Library, providing critical funds while enjoying an array of privileges, including behind-the-scenes tours, exhibition previews, and forums featuring prominent writers, scholars, and curators.

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  • President's Council

    $30,000+

    As an investor in our future, share intimate dinners and events with the leading public figures of our time, honoring your distinguished level of commitment to the Library.

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  • Planned Giving: Bigelow Society

    Leave a legacy to the Library. As a thank you for being a cherished part of our family, you'll receive invitations to the festive Bigelow Society Tea each spring, as well as Holiday Open House, exclusive tours, and more.

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  • Business Leadership Council

    $2,500+

    Subscribe to this highly exclusive breakfast series and gain insight from some of today’s most prominent business leaders as they offer the rare opportunity to discuss compelling issues face-to-face.

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  • Lawyers for the Library

    $2,500+

    Through Lawyers for the Library, the Library organizes unique networking, cultural, and social events for attorneys representing New York’s top law firms, their partners, and clients. A highlight of the season is the annual Lawyers for the Library reception and dinner. Other membership benefits include curator-led tours, volunteer opportunities, and intimate salons with writers, journalists, and prominent thinkers.

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