Feb 10, 2012
Also Visit NY State Arts
Libraries
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Brooklyn
This library system--the fifth largest in the country--serves more than six million people each year. The famous Central Library, whose building resembles an open book, is the main reference center and the core of a borough-wide system with 58 branches in as many neighborhoods.
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Aguilar Branch—New York Public Library
Manhattan
Mon & Wed: 11 am-6 pm
Tues & Thurs: 11 am-7 pm
Fri & Sat: 10 am-5 pm
One of the oldest branch libraries in New York, the Aguilar Library was founded in 1886 and is named for Grace Aguilar, a Sephardic Jewish author. In 1905, when it became part of The New York Public Library, Aguilar was serving large Jewish and Italian immigrant populations. After World War II, an influx of Puerto Rican and other Spanish-speaking newcomers led to the creation of an extensive collection of materials in Spanish. Designed by architects Herts and Tallant, Aguilar was built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. The interior of the building features a graceful hanging gallery with a cast-iron railing and a pressed-glass floor. Aguilar was renovated in 1996 as part of the Library's Adopt-A-Branch program and is fully accessible to persons using wheelchairs. The branch has a Language Learning Center for adults, a computer lab that provides instruction in English for speakers of other languages.
For more information on the branch, click here.
Allerton Branch—New York Public Library
Bronx
Mon, Tues & Thurs: 11 am-6 pm
Wed: 11 am-7 pm
Fri & Sat: 10 am-5 pmThe Allerton Branch of the New York Public Library, which opened in January 1960, was designed by the architectural firm of Hertz and Salerni in conjunction with the New York City Department of Public Works. Fully accessible to persons using wheelchairs, the two-floor brick limestone building houses a medium-sized library of 10,000 square feet. The adult, reference and young adult areas are on the first floor while the children's collection and a separate story-hour room are on the second. There is a 74-seat auditorium in the basement.
For more information on the branch, click here.American Academy of Arts and Letters
Manhattan
The three exhibitions mounted in the galleries each year draw largely from the work and experience of academy members and award recipients. The academy's permanent collection contains some 25,000 books and 2,000 original manuscripts, paintings and photographs illuminating the lives and work of members.
Manhattan
Founded in 1858, the American Numismatic Society is the only American museum devoted exclusively to the preservation and study of coins, medals and paper money.
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Manhattan
The American Sephardi Federation (ASF)/Sephardic House (SH) aims to preserve and support the rich cultural traditions, spirit and history of all Sephardic communities as an integral part of Jewish experience and heritage.