The New York Public Library Main Branch houses about 50 million books, maps, videos, and other materials. In terms of size, its collection is surpassed only by the Library of Congress and the British Library. The library regularly hosts exhibitions dedicated to art, history, culture, and photography.
The façade of this building may look familiar — it appeared in the movie Ghostbusters. Visitors are also often shown its foundation, as the library was built on the site of a former reservoir.
History
By the end of the 19th century, New York had several separate library collections but lacked a unified public system accessible to all residents. The two largest collections — the Astor Library (founded in 1848) and the Lenox Library (founded in 1877) — were private institutions with limited access. A major bequest from politician Samuel J. Tilden and a donation of $5.2 million from Andrew Carnegie made it possible to merge these collections and establish the New York Public Library.
For the main building of the new system, a large plot was required in central Manhattan. The site chosen was the former Croton Reservoir, located in Bryant Park — a symbolic heart of the city.
From the very beginning, the library impressed not only with its size but also with its modern technologies — for example, a pneumatic tube and cart system that delivered books from underground storage. The Rose Main Reading Room, almost 90 meters long, became a symbol of free access to knowledge.
Collection
The library holds an extensive and diverse collection spanning more than 4,000 years of history. Some highlights include:
- Gutenberg Bible (1455) — one of 48 surviving copies of the printed book, brought to the U.S. in 1847. It is on permanent display in Gottesman Hall as part of the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures.
- Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence (1776).
- Original Winnie-the-Pooh toys — Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, and Tigger. These plush animals once belonged to Christopher Robin Milne, the son of author A.A. Milne, and inspired some of the most beloved characters in children’s literature. The toys were later gifted to the library as cultural heritage.
- Rare medieval manuscripts, including Tickhill Psalter (c. 1310) — an English illuminated Gothic psalter and Towneley Lectionary (16th c., Italy).
- Japanese illustrated scrolls, including Nezumi no Sōshi Emaki (c. 1600–1650) — a story scroll from Nara about the adventures of mice and Hakubyō Genji Monogatari Emaki (1554, Kyoto) — scenes from The Tale of Genji, painted in monochrome ink.
- Modern novels, poetry, and comics.
Current Exhibitions
- The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures — over 250 rare items spanning centuries and cultures.
- A Century of The New Yorker — until February 21, 2026, celebrating the magazine’s 100th anniversary with archives, manuscripts, artifacts, and cartoons.
- Pride & Privacy: LGBTQ+ Visibility in Library Collections — an online exhibition exploring LGBTQ+ representation in the library’s holdings.
Pop Culture Appearances
In film:
- Ghostbusters (1984) — the opening ghost scene takes place in the library’s reading room.
- The Day After Tomorrow (2004) — the building serves as a refuge during a climate disaster; scenes of burning books (but not the U.S. Constitution!) sparked debate.
- Sex and the City (2008) — Carrie Bradshaw plans her wedding at the library, emphasizing its romantic and cultural status.
- Spider-Man (2002) — Peter Parker researches here before Uncle Ben’s tragic death.
On television:
- Doctor Who (Silence in the Library episode) — the futuristic library was inspired in part by the NYPL.
- How I Met Your Mother — Ted dates a woman working at the library.
In video games:
- Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate (Jack the Ripper DLC) — although set in London, one of the locations was inspired by NYPL architecture.
Visitor Information
Website: www.nypl.org
📍 Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Admission: Free
