NYPL Project

One man's attempt to explore every library in the New York Public Library system.

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Ear love is sometimes…difficult to suppress. Visit http://sennheiser-urbanite.com/en-US/4/ for a chance to win a free pair of Urbanite headphones.

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Sup?

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A Library for Everyone

It is fairly early in my little library adventure to be making judgments, but I can't help but notice one thing; the NYPL system offers up an experience that should appeal to just about anyone. The key is to find a library that suits your personal needs. The academic needs a massive library that will swallow him or her whole for hours and spit them back out a little brighter and more and more likely to return again. The unlucky ones whose neighbors lock up their wifi need a place to check their Facebook and tumblr pages and send out resumes so they can get their own wireless internet connections. The mothers and fathers out there need a place they can take their children to learn more about the world and interact with other kids. And begrudgingly, I will admit that the homeless need a library where they can warm up on a winter night or access social services through the library's computer lab.

At first, all I saw were the negatives of some libraries (especially the small ones in the Bronx). Seeing the Urban Fiction outnumber the classics at the Allerton Branch was totally unexpected. After the initial shock of visiting libraries that did not live up to my personal expectations, I began to realize that there basically needs to be a different library experience to please all the different types of people in this world. And that is not a bad thing. Everyone should be entitled to read what they want and in whatever fashion they choose. It seems that anyone can find their perfect library in the NYPL system if they just look hard enough.

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Today is the Fort Washington Library’s 100th birthday! NYPL and friends had a great day on Saturday celebrating the centennial of the Fort Washington Library. We look forward to the next 100 years!

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The Riverside Library branch has a nice open design and an entire floor devoted to children's and young adults. This is the perfect library to take your children to when they are ready. The neatly organized atmosphere of this library and its location close to Lincoln Center make this a wonderful addition to the NYPL.  

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With Avery Fisher Hall, the home of the New York Philharmonic, close by, this exhibition of Ernestine Ruben's portraits of prominent NY Phil musicians is a welcome addition to The New York Library of Performing Arts. 

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If I didn't have so many branches to visit, I might pick this as my favorite. The listening room and wonderful exhibitions housed at this branch are highlights of what is a stellar library in a beautiful location. 

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What is your favorite NYPL Branch?

I have yet to pick my favorite branch, but I would love to hear which is yours.

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Until May 10th, the New York Public Library of Performing Arts has a spectacular exhibition of Beatles' memorabilia and interactive displays. I only included a few pictures of this great exhibition, so you will have to go check it out for yourself if you want to see everything. 

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NYPL TechConnect

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The New York Public Library’s TechConnect program offers more than 80 technology classes at over 80 branch libraries throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—all absolutely FREE! Learn computers, tablets, Internet basics, how to find a job online, and much more. TechConnect also offers one-on-one help at our 6 new TechConnect Labs. Visit our new website to learn more!

A great opportunity to adapt to the increasingly-large influence that technology has on our everyday lives.

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The Tompkins Square Library is another that I enjoyed. This branch has an open layout and seems to a meeting place for the community. We found our way to the basement where local artist Rob Scott was showing his photographs of graffiti, original paintings, and curious little decorated boxes. The basement space was enormous. After a brief chat with Rob, I realized that this basement space basically functioned as a community center holding art show, children's story time, and even a game or two of Bingo.  

[draxaryss]

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One of the best reasons to read.

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The outside of The Ottendorfer Brach is a beautiful leftover form what was once a massive German population in this area. The inside, on the other hand, is depressing and dungeon-like except for the second floor which is dedicated to children's literature. I did not take any pictures of the basement dungeon (a.k.a. the computer lab) because the stagnant air and depressing countenances from those who were there is just too damn depressing. There is a definite lack of adult books and periodicals here, which is displayed by the half-empty book racks on the first floor. Overall, I would say that only kids and their parents would enjoy this place. But you couldn't tell from when we visited. There was only one lone librarian. 

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"What is more important in a library than anything else - than everything else - is the fact that it exists."

Archibald MacLeish

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As you can see from this event, the Van Nest Branch is very kid friendly. Almost half of their floor plan is dedicated to children's literature and young adult novels, and they offer a wide range of activities that attempt to entice wayward children into the wide world of books.

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The Mid-Manhattan Library

I wanted to love this library, and I gave it the benefit of the doubt for the first ten times that I went there. The staff is capable, the selection of materials is enormous, and the location is great. All of that being said, I have come to hate this library for these three reasons.

1). Smelly homeless people.

2). Loud homeless people.

3). Snoring homeless people.

You can not escape the putrid smells no matter where you go in this library. The stairwells stink. The bathrooms stink (more than your average bathroom). And if you are lucky enough to find a seat that is not next to a smelly person, don't worry. One will sit next to you and rustle their plastic bags within fifteen minutes. 

I am not here to address the problem with homelessness that our country is facing. But I will say that there must be better options to solve the problem other than turning libraries into homeless shelters.

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I was so surprised by their limited collection of classics, I asked if I could make donations. My offer was rudely declined. But if you are looking for Urban Fiction, this is your branch.