New York Public Library – Mid-Manhattan Library

This library isn’t pretty compared to the one across the street, but it is open late. If you’re a fan of reading and don’t necessarily want to cost of buying a book and the bulk of adding something you may not love to your tiny apartment, get a NYPL library card and check out their ebooks! You can apply online but have to show up in person to validate your identity/​basis for a card. It was a little confusing where to go to validate — I think I went to 3 °F.
«Any person who lives, works, attends school or pays property taxes in New York State is eligible to receive a New York Public Library card free of charge.»
This location is open late and convenient to stop by after work!

Came here to get my NYCID. The library is super old and needs renovations. For it to be located in the heart of a tourist location, it definitely deserves to be spruced up. There are computers and printers for use on the same floor (there are about 3 – 4 floors total) as the ID processing, as well as bathrooms along the wall. Sad to say, most of the people who were here seemed like they needed a place to stay out of the cold. Hope they can push funding to help this establishment out and make it more pleasant for everyone.

Half of the time? Smells like wolf crotch with a splash of cat piss. The other half? It’s as if some of the people have a «late pass» from the local insane asylum. Seriously. I mean… most normal people will leave you alone if you’re wearing head/​ear phones, okay? But not these «interesting» people. They’ll still bother you.
And the «guards» break your balls if you take a 15 minute nap.
The pros: It opens early and closes late.
The cons: Wolf crotch and cat piss; and Jerry Springer rejects.

Do NOT I repeat DO NOT go to this library! Having no place open late to study, I ended up going here and oh boy was that torture. The entire library stinks. The carpets have probably never been changed since this library was first established so forget about cleaning! As another reviewer mentioned, ull encounter a lot of shady people. It was a misery staying there for the few hours I forced myself. If ur sense of smell is weak then u have found the perfect spot otherwise may God help u! I’ll be trying my luck at the central library by grand army plaza. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Glad we stopped by the library on our visit, I do like going to a library especially big ones like this.
Great photo ops inside & out, so we were able to snap a few. Unfortunately the main reading room wasn’t open, but closed for renovation. There was only one other one open, but we didn’t stay long because people were studying etc. (It is a library afterall). So keep the noise down.
Great architecture and a place to stop by when visiting NYC.

For the moment I don’t have wi-​fi at home so I come to this library. I bring my laptop & boom magic happens! It’s usually a bit crowded, so at times it can be a bit difficult to find an outlet. Life would be easier if you had an extension cord too.

This branch of the library has the best hours. They are the only branch open early in the AM so you can stop on your way to work. This branch also has the best selection of DVD’s. They have shelves and shelves full of every genre.
The issue I have is with the bathroom. This library needs to renovate. The bathrooms are limited. I find them unsightly most of the time. I only use it if it is absolutely necessary.
The security as you exit can be difficult too. I think they hire people intentionally to be nasty to you. They actually check your bags to be sure you did not take anything. Since I often have a handbag and a back pack, this can be a real pain! Meanwhile people behind you are getting agitated.
As typical of other libraries there are people just sitting around. Some look rather pitiful. I just get what I need and then leave. This is not a library branch where I would visit for guest speakers or other events.
The hours and DVD selection are the strong attractions for me!

Shout out for the folks @ NYC ID on the 4^th floor. I was in and out in no time and had a great experience with Sharon (working @ #7 on Friday ¹⁰⁄₂₉). She was pleasant, informative about all the benefits to grab before the ¹²⁄₃₁ deadline (lots of free 1 year memberships to museums/​zoo and other fun/​cultural institutions in the city), smiled and laughted while entering my info in. We also chatted about Free Ticket web site for TV shows and she Also made sure my id would have a good photo.

The Bryant park library is like a beautiful flower and this location is like the water you see on the tracks in the subway. First the interior of this place looks like some drab, lifeless, utilitarian government learning facility.
Then there are the people inside. Half of them seem like hobos. I first see this really shady looking guy with a hoodie wandering around pickup up fliers and immediately tossing them in the garbage. Looking shifty eyes while aimlessly wandering. Then it smells like a homeless shelter.
Next I see some guy sitting at a table with a bible and lots of papers around him. All of the papers have tons of random scribbles on them and they all look identical. He is sitting there scribbling while looking at the other sheets of random scribbles and trying to copy it exactly. It must be some alien language. He looks semi homeless.
Next there is this unshaven man who sits near a young Asian girl. He never looks at her but looks at his phone the whole time. Then 15 mins later I can hear her saying that he wants her number or something. She is clearly studying and very embarrassed and kind of scared. She denies him. He asks why? And pushes for her number. After she keeps saying no he quickly gets up and scurries out of the building while looking around to see if anyone saw. Creep.
Now there is this homeless looking lady wearing sunglasses obsessively looking at all the holes in her cheap coat. She is sewing the holes by hand and keeps snorting a whole bunch of snot that she won’t blow her nose for.

Terrible Service!!!
I went in today just before 5:50pm and the library closes at 6pm. I knew exactly what I wanted and where to find it because I researched prior to going to the library. I had already previously been to 2 other branches earlier in the day. The system said they had books on the shelves but it turned out they didn’t. It’s not like I wanted to be there at that time. I’m all for keeping things efficient. When I went in the lines were not long at all like the other reviewers mentioned.
My problem mostly came from the security personnel. (Minus the sweet woman who was doing bag check at the exit). All I wanted to do was grab the book I needed from the 2^nd floor. Again I had ten minutes to do something that would have taken me less than a minute. I KNEW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS!!! I begged two different security guards to please just let me grab it. It wasn’t like I wanted to stay and hang out or I didn’t know what I wanted. They didn’t have to help me do anything. It wouldn’t have costed them any time or money and I was willing to even let them walk me the 20 or so steps necessary to grab the book. BUT NO! I was desperate. Again there was no line so I even opted to ask the help desk if they were willing to just grab it for me. AGAIN I have to stress there was no crazy line to deal with and it wouldn’t have even taken a minute. BUT NO! No one was willing to help.
I hope none of these people or their loved ones are ever in a situation where they are desperate for help from someone and the same thing happens to them. Karma is real. Them helping me wouldn’t have cost them anything… not time… not money… nothing. If the library system was more reliable I wouldn’t have had to have that unfortunate experience in the first place. I was only there because the two other branches didn’t have what they claimed to online.
I still left the library before 6pm :-/​just to give you an idea of how ridiculous it all was.
This is not my first time at this branch and I’m glad I hadn’t handed in my donation yet. I’m definitely not going to after this.

This five floor library has a reasonable selection and librarians available to help. I didn’t use the computers or internet, so I can’t comment on them. The place is clean and quiet, and not very crowded. I found some of the books I was looking for and others that interested me. The library didn’t make an especially strong impression on me. The famous library is across the street, so it’s hard to compete for my attention.
As I left, the guard asked to search my bag. I said that I think the notice that I’m subject to search belongs at the entrance, since I’ve gotten this far without consenting to search, and now I’m trying to leave. She said that the sign used to be at the entrance, but now it’s here. I consented to search and went on my way.

Came here to apply for my NYC ID. It was on the 4^th floor. There’s an escalator that gets you to two, and then you either have to take an elevator or the stairs to get up there. I opted for the stairs even though it was pretty muggy inside and outside the library.
There was basically no wait for the ID application line and 15 minutes later, I was out.
Saw some homeless people on the way out, but hey, goes with the territory.
Line to check out was waaaay too long when I left.

I come to this location often. The GOOD: It’s a huge library right in Midtown Manhattan near Bryant Park and Grand Central area so it’s very convenient to get to if coming from East or West. Huge collection of everything; Movies, Cds, Language Learning, Books, collections. The staff is helpful for the most part. Stays open till 11pm Mon-​Th! Fridays 8pm!
BAD: Because it is right in midtown it is used often. Sometimes the bathrooms at least the Men’s can be unsanitary. I usually come to the computer lab on the 4^th floor with my laptop to do work. Since this library is open to all people the 4^th floor usually has a few homeless people or people who enjoy talking to themselves (crazies). There is a strong odor on the 4^th floor you smell it immediately like it smacks you on the nose saying «YOU IN THE 4^th FL NOW!»
Since I have my own laptop i found a workaround. I go to the other floors and just plug into the wall sockets and get a neat spot to myself sans odors and crazies. Good library, it’s not their fault that so many homeless come here to chill on the 4^th floor.
Tip: Give yourself time in case you need to use the computers on the 4^th Fl and don’t have your own laptop.

This library is very convenient, it’s large, it offers many different types of programs & lectures, and — amazingly, in my opinion — it’s open from 8 a. m-​11 p.m. on Monday-​Thursday (and from 8 – 8 on Fridays). This evening and back in mid-​July, I attended terrific author lectures/​slide shows (for their photo books).

Lots of characters and not enough books but if you need a computer or a laptop to complete a job where you forgot your laptop at home then this is your place. As always it’s quiet and conductive to learning and reading.

Ah, the Mid-​Manhattan Library. It is perhaps the only purely functional library in Manhattan, and because of that, it is also the most viscerally unpleasant. There’s actually a ton of seating, the library is duly quiet (aside from the occasional joe who decides to answer his cell phone in a library), a decent amount of books for juggling so much seating space, and blessedly late hours.
It’s grungy, it’s mean, and it ain’t always pretty, but there isn’t another library that works for the working man!

I’ve been to this location plenty of times (Before joining Unilocal) but this is my first review. On a positive note: It’s a huge library in the heart of Midtown Manhattan right in the Grand Central area so it’s very convenient to get to.
Now for the Negative: I come here to use the computers in the computer lab which is usually active especially during lunch time. I have nothing against anyone but please keep in mind that this is a public library so that means all is welcomed and I do mean all! Sometimes there is unpleasant odor in the lab but after awhile you won’t even notice it. I went to the computer lab yesterday and I happen to be pressed for time but I figured no big deal I will be in and out real quick… wrong. I reserved a computer and was given a 10 min wait time mind you there were a few available computers so I was a bit confused but I didn’t make a big deal out of it so I waited… didn’t make sense to me whats so ever but I waited.
Just make sure to give yourself time in case you need to use the computer.

I recently ventured there to take a free Photoshop class with NYPL TechConnect in the Mac lab on the fourth floor. NYPL TechConnect offers tons of free classes on many topics. And no, they’re not all filled with «older» people.
Cira taught the class, which was fun. She was quite knowledgeable about the topic. She taught us some basics and also how to cut people from one background and place them into another scene. What I managed to do after just a few hours looked quite good.
You will not learn every aspect of Photoshop in this two-​hour class, but the instructor said you can take it as many times as you like with as many instructors as you like because each instructor may take a different approach. And it’s still a good class to brush up on your skills.
Tip: Arrive on time. She didn’t open the door for some latecomers after a certain amount of time.
LIFE-​CHANGING TIP: You have free access to Lynda’s instructional website if you have a valid NYPL card. This alone is worth getting a library card if you know how much money people spend to use Lynda.

The two famous lions sit on Fifth Ave along with beautiful autumn shrubbery. You have to climb several flights of stairs just to get in and then pass a security check. Since I was headed to Bryant Park itself they advised me to go back the way I came and walk around. A bit of a let down for me since I didn’t even get to see inside.

Es impresionante la biblioteca tan bonita y cuidada que tienen los Neoyorquinos, es gratis entrar y es enorme para verla toda sala por sala, hay sitios que no puedes entrar pero ves desde vitrinas y suele haber mucha gente siempre, ya que es muy bonita de contemplar. Si vas a Nueva York has de verla parece como las de las pelis, nada que ver con las que tenemos nosotros aquí. Puedes contemplar los techos tan increíbles, el suelo, las columnas… es una pasada.

No puedo dejar de admirar las bibliotecas públicas de otros países más avanzados que el nuestro en estas lides: aluciné con la de Seattle, la de Vancouver (Canadá) me pareció increíble, y la de Amsterdam me dejó enamorado. La de Nueva York me ha parecido también muy bien, aunque admito que esperaba algo más de ella, probablemente en el tamaño, dado que al tener un modelo más federalista de sucursales de barrio no tiene una central apabullante. Es más, los fondos ni siquiera están a la vista como en todas las que he mencionado antes, sino que están en las salas de estudio, las cuales solo pueden usarse si tienes un carné, es decir: no son visitables.
Lo que sí es visitable es el hall de entrada, en un estilo neoclásico bastante sobrio, y una sala de lectura de la segunda planta en la que se exponen los retratos de los benefactores de la institución dado que, como casi todo en los EEUU, los fondos públicos son prácticamente inexistentes y dependen de las donaciones privadas para mantenerse.
El visitarla no lleva demasiado tiempo y está a tiro de piedra desde cualquier punto de interés turístico del Midtown, y entre que tiene WiFi gratis y espacio para sentarse con aire acondicionado, debería convertirse en una parada obligatoria de media mañana.

«Oh, so beautiful!» she thought dreamily to herself. When she laid eyes on the two marble lions protecting the outside of the library, she grew a fondness for them. She would later learn that their names were Patience and Fortitude – even better! – kind lions in front of a marble library. This was a dream come true.
She glided up the stairs and set foot upon the library. With a sigh, she spun around to take in the library from all angles. It was beautiful. It was a castle of knowledge, a marble building of refuge; it was a fortress for scholars.
Where to begin? The library was huge. She could feel the history pulsing from the marble walls. She could hear the echo of laughter and conversation coming from other visitors. Surely, they had come here in search of wisdom and knowledge as well. She drifted through the rooms, ran her hands along the cold walls, watched people who had traveled from afar be awestruck at the library’s architecture and history.
She even visited the bookstore. There were so many things to buy! She didn’t care about the cost, she was a stranger in this big city and if she had to splurge somewhere she would splurge in a library bookstore.
Finally, it neared 2 PM, almost time for the free library walking tour. She had read earlier that they offered free tours at 11 AM and 2 PM. The tour guide arrived and the lady was knowledgeable and friendly. She could already feel her fingers and toes tingling with excitement. The tour started and so did the flood of information. Facts of who designed the building, what the library was made out of, tidbits about the intricate designs on the ceiling… there was so much to know.
This New York Public Library may only be a research library and not a lending library but she understood the importance this library held. It was moment she would never forget and a peaceful lovely environment she would one day return to.