Libraries in New York City

THE 10 BEST New York City Libraries

Libraries in New York City

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What travellers are saying

  • Mike R.
    Brooklyn, NY83 contributions
    I'm not going to lie! Harry Potter easily influenced me into visiting this. I had seen pictures of the place and always said, "Wow!, I want to visit this Harry Potter attraction and little did know that it wasn't technically linked to him. Nonetheless, this museum is a great visit. The Library? I mean look at it just look at it. It's a world I entered imagining something greater than reality. This is architecture that makes you feel and gives you emotion. This is architecture hat has depth and poise, simply timeless!
    Written 8 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • russellking9
    Westcliff-on-Sea, UK141 contributions
    Yeah it’s a library, but books and studying aside, firstly the building is a lovely piece of architecture within an open space in the middle of the city, and second it is some great exhibits.
    Found this on our last morning visiting the big apple, and it was a lovely way to end our trip. Including the first print of the King James Bible, Charles Dickens chair and desk, and the original Winnie ther Pooh bears/toys. What a treat!
    Written 22 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jonathan C.
    La Jolla, California, USA341 contributions
    I came by here to see a special exhibit of Stephen Sondheim's letters and work - it was well worth the trek to visit!
    Written 8 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Agua To Face It
    Sacramento, CA2 contributions
    THE WEB CUT OFF MY CHOICE TO SAY MORE...so adding on top of review.
    SIs Bro Gender sibling of non conformity!
    HERE IS WHERE WE GO. !!!!! Why? Because my/our human people we will feel the under the exhibitions FANTASTIC RESOURCES of Arturo. WHO WAS Arturo? A Puerto Rican Black man! He resolved to get this history so we can unite. Stop fighting between the oppressed. LEARN more. RESEARCH beneath the exhibits. Make appointments. Delight in the microfiche and all the possibilities to follow YOUR choices about Black s . I DID and feel Paul Robeson, he and other communists of color : Claudia Jones..from Trinidad that the usa exploited and Banned. WE CAN BE INSPIRED!

    For my LIttle 10 year old cousin. He delights in going to the "SHOP". TOYS in blackness. Books for babies. Oh Titi look here he said we can play this.
    Written 29 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • StephenCross
    Dublin, Ireland17,740 contributions
    The Jefferson Market library is an excellent building from the outside but very run down inside. The gardens beside it are nice. Worth a photo of the facade.
    Written 26 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Hilary C
    Ann Arbor, Michigan7 contributions
    Be sure to visit one of the world's great libraries, The New York Public Library with its iconic lions, Patience and Fortitude,keeping watchful guard in front.
    Written 2 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • monsieur hibou
    Paris, France75 contributions
    A great pit-stop for whatever weather. Airy, beautiful views in the library where you can drink and eat within reason (no loud crunching but plenty of coffee sipping and sandwich munching). Pull any volume of poetry published in the past 50 years in the US off the shelves, plus plenty of foreign translated into english poetry.
    Written 11 November 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bi-coaster
    Bradenton, FL1,259 contributions
    Although you must be a member of this library to check out books, they do host lectures and other events open to the public. It's a lovely grand building and the children's rooms are most welcoming and attractive. If I lived in New York, I'd definitely join!
    Written 3 May 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • travelingal60
    New York City, NY56 contributions
    I love visiting the Grolier Club and always find their exhibits of interest. Their ground floor gallery is gorgeous following its renovation and the exhibits held there are always interesting, well put together and offer a wealth of information. Their second floor gallery is smaller but likewise offers a wide array of exhibits on varied topics related to books, publishing, printed matter. The Grolier Club is also always free of charge to the public.
    Written 4 January 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • StephenCross
    Dublin, Ireland17,740 contributions
    The national archives of New York sit in an amazing building at the bottom of Manhattan. It’s an architectural gem and well worth viewing.
    Written 5 February 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • robcurtross
    New York City, NY14,583 contributions
    I stopped by the Webster Branch Library today to deliver a dozen books -- not to the library proper but to the book store in the basement. It is maintained solely by volunteers, and it raised almost a million dollars last year for the library system.

    It is a joy to donate books and music and other media, and there is always something good to purchase at the same time.

    One of the great joys of the Upper East Side.
    Written 18 May 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • robcurtross
    New York City, NY14,583 contributions
    The good news for book lovers is that small book stores like this one continue to be in existence and it appears that book lovers really want them to continue.

    Whenever I am in the neighborhood, I stop by and always find something interesting to enrich my life and to help ensure the store remains in business.

    The clerk told me they have a group of customers that do the same thing.

    One new discovery: there is a charming garden in the back, who ch is very comfortable when the weather is good.

    Good stock of religious and New York City books but with a very wide range.
    Written 19 November 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • robcurtross
    New York City, NY14,583 contributions
    I've been learning about NYC in hopes of becoming a Big Apple Greeter, and have used this library a number of times. My trip late last month was typical.

    It has a collection of unique reports, books, periodicals and document about the history of New York City.

    They have six public computers with free WIFI access so I didn't have to carry my portable computer. The staff if very helpful, and they very nicely refreshed my memory of how to use microfilm readers.

    If you have a special interest in NYC, this is a great place to visit.
    Written 20 May 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.