NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

115th Street Branch—New York Public Library

Manhattan

Mon & Wed: 12 pm-7 pm
Tues & Thurs: 11 am-6 pm
Fri & Sat: 10 am-5 pm

The 115th Street branch of the New York Public Library, built with funds given to the city by Andrew Carnegie, opened in 1908. A three-floor building, its distinctive facade and enduring elegance inspired its designation as a New York City landmark building. The New York City Landmarks book describes it as "an uncommonly rugged and handsome structure designed by McKim, Mead & White in the rusticated Italian palazzo style." Old-fashioned in character, the library is furnished with lovely wooden display cases positioned along the wall on the first floor. Materials for adults and teenagers are located on the main floor. The children's room is located on the second floor. The branch has a tradition of encouraging neighborhood groups to use its location as a venue for meetings and programs. The library has evolved into a focal point of community activity and learning as well as a testing ground for new artistic productions and talent.

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125th Street Branch—New York Public Library

Manhattan

Mon & Wed: 12 pm-6 pm
Tues & Thurs: 12 pm-7 pm
Fri & Sat: 11 am-5 pm

The 125th Street Branch has served East Harlem since 1904. Designed by McKim, Mead and White, this impressive building was built with funds from a grant by Andrew Carnegie. The first floor ceiling is divided into four vaulting, concave sections. The first floor has collections for adults and teenagers. The children's room is on the second floor. Reflecting the cultural diversity of the neighborhood, the 125th Street Branch offers books and magazines in English and Spanish. In addition, the library boasts a strong African-American Heritage collection. For more information, click here.

58th Street Branch—New York Public Library

Manhattan

Mon & Wed: 11 am-7 pm
Tues & Thurs: 10 am-6 pm
Fri & Sat: 10 am-5 pm

The 58th Street Branch of the New York Public Library opened on May 10, 1907. Once housed in a Carnegie building it now occupies part of two floors of an office tower. The first floor is accessible to persons who use wheelchairs. A multi-use meeting room, available for community group meetings and library programs is located on the second floor.

For more information on the branch, click here.

67th Street Branch—New York Public Library

Manhattan

Mon & Wed: 11 am-6 pm
Tues & Thurs: 11 am-7 pm
Fri & Sat: 10 am-5 pm

The 67th Street Branch was one of the Carnegie branches built with funds donated to the City of New York by Andrew Carnegie. The branch was designed by Babb, Cook & Willard, one of three architectural firms selected to design the Carnegie branches. It was built, in agreement with the previous owner's wishes, to resemble the Yorkville Branch. In 2005 the 67th Street Branch reopened after a renovation, its first since the 1950s, that refurbished the library's architecture and modernized its access and services. The original staircase with decorative iron railing has been restored, along with numerous other architectural details, including mosaic tile floors. The library's 14,000-square foot interior has also been reconfigured, providing additional computer space, a redesigned children's floor and a community room. Reference and general collections for adults and teenagers are on the first floor, and the children's collection is on the second floor. A community room and technology training classroom are on the third floor.

For more information on the branch, click here.

96th Street Branch—New York Public Library

Manhattan

Mon - Thurs: 10 am-7 pm
Fri & Sat: 10 am-5 pm

Bridging the neighborhoods of Yorkville and East Harlem, the 96th Street Branch has been a vital center of information, learning, and recreation to a diverse community since it opened in September 1905. One of the 65 libraries built with funds donated to New York City by Andrew Carnegie, the library was designed by the noted architectural firm of Babb, Cook and Willard. Both beautiful and functional, the interior is distinguished by tall arched windows, lofty ceilings, wide staircases, and dark oak bookshelves. A renovation in 1991 considerably expanded the space available to the public and modernized the building, while retaining its original architectural beauty. The branch contains an adult reading room, a children's room with a separate space for story hours, an expanded reference center, a conference room, and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 50.

For more information on the branch, click here.