NYPL Stephen A. Schwarzman Building - Main Branch050

This is the library that comes to mind when you think New York Public Library; the one with the lions (nicknamed Patience and Fortitude) guarding the front entrance.

First-time visitors to NYPL's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building - often referred to as the "main branch" and formerly known as the Humanities and Social Sciences Library - often ask, "Where are the books?" The main entrance, Astor Hall, looks more like the lobby of a museum, and the library's vast collection of books and papers is nowhere in sight. This is because most users visit one or more of the Library's eleven reading rooms for advanced research, and generally request books, journals, manuscript collections from "closed stacks," or storage areas that are designed to keep the unique collections safe.

As of late November 2008, the branch welcomes kids with open arms (for the first time in nearly 40 years!) at the new Children's Center at 42nd Street. Located on the ground floor, the space offers a wide range of resources for young readers, including a collection of 25,000 books and recordings, a large reading room with colorful furniture, a separate area for programs and events, and eight public access computers.

Free one-hour tours of the library are offered at 11am and 2pm, Tue-Sat. Tours meet at the Information Desk in Astor Hall. Call 212.930.0501 for reservations.