Best Libraries, as you stroll through the crowded streets of New York City, you enter a realm where time stands still and enormous book shelves envelop you. Every book transports you to a different era, whether it’s a realm inhabited by fairies or the alleys of Victorian London, where a passionate love tale awaits to be discovered. You will know you’re in one of New York’s greatest libraries when that occurs. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a few of NYC’s greatest libraries.
The 10 Best Libraries in New York
- Butler Library
- New York Society Library
- Mulberry Street Library
- New York Public Library
- Brooklyn Public Library
- The Morgan Library & Museum
- Poets House
- Jefferson Market Library
- Caldwell-Lake George Library
- The Center for Fiction
New York City, often known as the “city that never sleeps,” is more than just a major centre for entertainment, tall skyscrapers, and a thriving nightlife. Magnificent libraries are also one of its most well-known features; here, bookworms can escape the unrelenting pace of the city. Come along on a reading adventure with us as we show you around the most charming alleys and lively neighbourhoods in New York City, home to some of the top libraries. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Butler Library
Butler Library, one of the best libraries in New York City, is housed on the Columbia University campus. It may surprise you to learn that this top library in New York has more than two million books, including sections dedicated to rare books and manuscripts, periodicals and microforms, and the Milstein Undergraduate Library.
There are a variety of books, journals, and archives available to support your research, whether you are a scholar or a student.
Interesting Fact: The names of eighteen authors, philosophers, and thinkers, including Vergil, Aristotle, Plato, and Homer, are inscribed on the exterior of the library.
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Timings:
9 AM – 9 PM; Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM
New York Society Library
Presently the New York Society Library, the magnificent Italianate palace holds an extensive collection of books, rare manuscripts, and modern fiction. Several donations have been made by library patrons over the years.
These consist of sculptures by Hiram Powers and Thomas Crawford, paintings by Samuel Lovett Waldo, Adolphe William Bouguereau, and Joseph Wright, and graphic works by John James Audubon and Will Barnet.
Interesting fact: The library is among the biggest in the world.
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Timings:
Monday & Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 9 AM – 7 PM; & Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Mulberry Street Library
One of the greatest libraries in New York is Mulberry Street Library, which is situated in the Manhattan area of SoHo. The library has two underground stories that are connected by a large stairway that lets natural light into the lower levels. There are separate spaces for kids and young adults as well as two spacious reading rooms for adults at this top library in New York.
The multipurpose community room in the library hosts a range of fun and instructive events. Therefore, don’t miss a visit to Mulberry Street, one of New York City’s top libraries, while you’re in the city.
Interesting Fact: There are about 35,000 objects in the collection.
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Timings:
Monday & Wednesday: 11 AM – 7 PM; Tuesday & Thursday: 10 AM – 7 PM; Friday & Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
New York Public Library
Enter a magnificent marble literary cathedral that has stood towering since 1895. The New York Public Library, one of the greatest libraries in the city, is a veritable gold mine for readers. More than 54 million objects, including DVDs, e-books, and books, are housed there.
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture, and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building are the three main buildings of the library, which has 92 locations throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Interesting fact: Walt Whitman, Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Charlotte Brontë all have hair in the New York Public Library.
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Timings:
10 AM – 6 PM
Brooklyn Public Library
The Brooklyn Public Library comes next on our list of NYC’s greatest libraries. The library, a literary haven in the middle of Brooklyn, has 2.86 million physical items, including books, audiobooks, board games, and musical instruments, in addition to over 250,000 digital resources. The best public library in New York is the Brooklyn Public Library, where you can discover anything from adult literacy programmes to children’s storytimes to the newest blockbusters.
Interesting fact: Meg from Little Women and Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter are among the fifteen golden statues that adorn the main door.
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Timings:
9 AM – 8 PM
The Morgan Library & Museum
Step inside this magnificent Renaissance-style palace, which has three vast rooms that perfectly capture America’s Age of Elegance, and prepare to be transported to a whole new world. One of the greatest libraries in New York, it holds an amazing assortment of rare books, manuscripts, and artwork.
A concert theatre, a cafe and restaurant, a reading room, a shop, and collection storage are other amenities offered by the Morgan Library & Museum. A trip through time and culture awaits you when you visit this top library in New York.
Interesting Fact: Movies like “The Age of Innocence” and “The Thomas Crown Affair” have used it as a setting.
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Timings:
10:30 AM – 5 PM; Friday: 10:30 AM to 7 PM
Poets House
The greatest library in New York and a sanctuary for poetry enthusiasts is Poets House, which is tucked away in Lower Manhattan. This lovely location is decorated with over 70,000 poetry books by authors including Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman. Enjoy a peaceful afternoon here, perusing, journaling, or even working in the Quiet Reading Room of the library. And all the while take in the breathtaking vistas of the Hudson River and Rockefeller Park.
Interesting Fact: Thousands of poets’ chapbooks are included in its collection.
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Timings:
11 AM – 7 PM
Jefferson Market Library
The Jefferson Market Library was built in 1877 and is housed in a historic Victorian Gothic building that was once the Third Judicial Courthouse. Adorned with stained glass windows and carved doorways and surrounded by a garden, this best NYC public library is beautiful on the outside as well.
Access a variety of books, e-books and audiobooks, digital collections, and stimulating and entertaining programs. Plus, from author readings to art exhibitions, there’s always some
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Timings:
10 AM – 8 PM
Caldwell-Lake George Library
One of the greatest libraries in New York City, the Caldwell-Lake George Library, invites you to escape the bustle of the city and lose yourself in a good book while surrounded by the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains. This greatest library in New York is tucked away in the charming village of Lake George and invites you to sit back, unwind, and go to a another era.
Interesting Fact: In Caldwell’s entire existence, there have only been five librarians.
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Timings:
10 AM – 5 PM
The Center for Fiction
The Centre of Fiction, located in the centre of Brooklyn, is the next library on our list of the greatest in New York. In this fiction lover’s heaven, savour a vast selection of books, short stories, unusual finds, and literary critique. Joining this top New York library will also allow you to take advantage of several deals and discounts on retail purchases, event tickets, reading clubs, and writing courses. Additionally, you are able to borrow materials from The Centre of Fiction.
Interesting fact: It is the only literary non-profit in the US devoted entirely to promoting fiction.
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Timings:
11 AM – 8 PM
