The New York Public Library welcomes you to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. This library has symbolized the democratic ideal of free and open access to knowledge since 1911.

Tell us your story/detailed overview

The New York Public Library welcomes you to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. This library has symbolized the democratic ideal of free and open access to knowledge since it opened to the public in 1911. Today, the building welcomes millions of visitors a year from across the world who find inspiration in its majestic public spaces, unparalleled research collections, and vibrant programs and exhibitions. Personalities at NYPL - Norbert Pearlroth, the Ripley's Believe It or Not! researcher from 1923 to 1975, found all the information for the newspaper feature using the huge collection in the Library's Main Reading Room. A speaker of several languages with a prodigious memory, Mr. Pearlroth came to the Library each day and relied on serendipity to find his amazing facts. It's estimated that he reviewed 7,000 books each year (that's 364,000 in 52 years)! - In 1926, the Library boasted six former Olympic athletes on its staff (four Americans and two Danes): a hurdler, three high jumpers, one broad jumper, a mountain climber, an oarsman​/​canoeist, and a discus thrower. - Espionage at the library! Whittaker Chambers, Alger Hiss's accuser, was an NYPL employee (1923–27). His conversion to Communism was the result of a meeting with a party member in the Library. He was dismissed from the Library for stealing books. - More espionage! F.B.I. Agent Earl Edwin Pitts met with a Russian KGB senior official in Room 228 of the Library in July 1987, and began working as an informer. He was caught in an F.B.I. sting operation in December 1996. - Famous users have included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Kazin, Norman Mailer, Princess Grace (Kelly), Helen Hayes, Frank McCourt, Somerset Maugham, Marlene Dietrich, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, John Updike, Cecil Beaton, Lillian Gish, Tom Wolfe, Francis Ford Coppola, Diana Rigg, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Joe Frazier, and E. L. Doctorow. - Edward Land developed the process for the Polaroid Land Camera; Chester Carlson researched photoconductivity and electrostatics to invent the Xerox photocopier; Marchette Chute, author of Shakespeare in London, did all her research without ever going to London; and William Roy DeWitt Wallace read and condensed articles that he republished in his magazine, Reader's Digest.

Neighborhood

Midtown

Any need to know/rules & guidelines

We truly appreciate your presence in our community, and your support means the world to us. As a café, we’re grateful when you savor our delicious offerings and share your appreciation through generous tips. Your kindness helps us keep our mission alive. Here are other tidbits for you: - Open Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm - Explore the Library with Bloomberg Connects: https://guides.bloombergconnects.org/en-US/guide/nyplSchwarzman - Enter the building via the main entrance on Fifth Avenue, or the accessible entrances at 40th Street and 42nd Street. - Please note that any large bags, luggage, and other oversized items must be checked. See note regarding size restrictions below in “What Not to Bring.” - Umbrellas must be checked or placed inside your bag or in the protective plastic bags provided by the Library. We encourage visitors to check their coats and other outerwear. - You are welcome to photograph the historic interiors of this historic Beaux-Arts building, but we ask that you remember that it is a working research library and that you refrain from using a flash and taking photos of researchers. - Upon exiting the building, all Library visitors must submit all books, bags, briefcases, and other containers for inspection, including those that were checked during your visit. - Please note that last entry to the building is 15 minutes before closure. See building hours. - Visitors are not permitted to bring any beverages, liquids, water bottles, or food into the Library. - Carts, large bags, bags on wheels, backpacks, or collections of bags that are larger than 24” x 16” x 10” are not permitted to enter the Library and will not be admitted to the bag check. Embrace your place—this is where you truly belong!

Website

https://www.nypl.org/locations/schwarzman