New York Society Library

Beautiful historic building. The light fixtures, wood molding and staircases were worth the visit. Even the door knobs and elevator looked well preserved.
I did not get the negative vibe as described on Unilocal.I was welcomed upon entry. I explained the reason for my visit. I was told they would be happy to give me a tour of the library. I signed the register and was left on my own after being pointed up the stairs to the Goodhue Collection. The art work actually flows up and on the landings and along the walls of the stairways.
Membership is expensive to the NY Society Library. You really only need to be a member if you plan to check out books. You can sit in the public section and they will be glad to bring you anything you desire.
Today I came to see the art collection of the Goodhue Family. What a treat! Very beautiful pieces of sculpture. Historic drawings of New York. Very old photographs. Worth your time to see this collection before it is gone.
I wandered to far up the stairs and happened on wonderful works by Audubon. After sneaking photos, I was told I wasn’t supposed to be up there. I was still provided with a friendly discussion by the fellow. The Audubon works belong to the Society. He said they had a lot more Audubon pieces but someone accidentally locked into the library one night stole them. They were never recovered. Very cute story! I could see how that could happened. I was told no photos and then left alone. he also went on his way and left me n my own. :-)
Really, you need to go visit this library if you enjoy architecture, libraries, museums, and/​or art. It has it all! Remember Goodhue Exhibit is time limited. See my photos.

Uppity crowd. Nice spot to sit for a while and kill time.

Someone I was working for recommended this library as a good place to read. When I walked in, a woman accosted me and said, «Can I help you?» her voice dripping with condescension. Now, I’m not like the girl in my profile pic any more (that was taken when Unilocal first started). Not that I would have lacked credibility even then. But even to a wide-​eyed or clueless looking person, she should not have taken that tone.
I said I wanted to have a look at the library and she reluctantly let me pass. When I started to sit at the table, she said «Are you here to look something up?»
«No,» I said, «I just thought I’d read for a few minutes.»
«You can’t just read here. You need to be researching something.»
Ohh-​kay. Back away from the crazy person. Now, there are actually rooms in the NYPL like this– they have keys and are pleasant places to read, but you need a note saying you need to research the special collection. I’ve never tried it, but perhaps knowledge of that made me hesitate as I tried to sort, in my mind, whether or not it was true that I could not sit there. My instinctive response to say, «Someone I know reads here» was checked by a part of me that feared I would sully this person’s name by association with me. Good reading spots are rare and I didn’t want to ruin anything for him. In retrospect, I’m sure he would have stood up for me, and not wanted to go to a place that would not also have me as a member.
I just said, «Oh, ok,» defaulting to (or stuck in) polite mode, and left.

I became a member 2 years ago and love it. Not only for their great work space, clean, comfortable, and a terrific «stacks» of books, but for their literary events, too. The building is a historic townhouse, and does feel like Old New York inside. For someone that writes and likes literary events, this is a great library. Clean, quiet, a terrific work and study place. Their rules are a bit strict & traditional – no talking and no food or drinks at all, but that’s fine. To recent comments that they cater to the «wealthy,» that is very judgmental. And stereotypical. And not true. Also, having holiday hours is hardly a new thing, many schools and societies do it and it has nothing to do with how wealthy people are. With the NY Public library branches, you pretty much get what you pay for – which is nothing. Many, including branches on the UES, are dirty, without air-​conditioning or good study space, and with loiterers sleeping in their bathrooms and tables. They can also be loud as people talk and get into heated arguments with the unfriendly staff. NY Society Library is such a nice alternative. Their hours are not overly long, but for writers and readers, it’s a deal. IN NYC, writing rooms/​spaces can run over $ 100 a month, NYSL membership is around $ 250 per year. Not expensive for what you get. A great writer’s choice. Check it out before you judge.

Why am I the first person to review the NYSocLib? It’s not like it’s new; George Washington borrowed books from here (and forgot to return one).
The reason is the name: it sounds like it’s a library for socialites. But they’re not going to change it, so I’ll tell you a secret: It’s a library for normal people. Ok, by normal I mean overeducated Upper East Siders, but still, this is a friendly, accessible library in a beautiful building.
Membership is expensive (minus one star), but you don’t have to be a member to hang out or to use the reference section. Yes, you heard that right. For all the stuffy classicism of the façade, you can come in, plop yourself down in what looks like an English gentleman’s club, and have a look at whatever you want.
The staff is pleasant (although if they think we don’t notice them gossiping constantly, they’re not paying attention), and the collection is first-​rate. New books are in the lobby for anyone to peruse, but members can walk right into the stacks (the building has a confusing system of floors and stacks, so check the charts outside the elevator).
The children’s collection is very good, and there’s some work space available for writers. Card catalogs are online and in the front room on the first floor. Ask for a tour if you’re interested. They’re doing some serious renovation this summer, so they will be closed for a couple of weeks; call first.
Lovely, scholarly, WASPy. And nice: They waived Washington’s late fees – all $ 300,000 of them.