I also posted this on the Lounge.

I had not conducted research at the NY Public Library at 42nd Street in more than thirty years. Even when I had a job which required significant research, I either did it on-line or asked our research department. For a while we even had an expensive outside firm for this purpose that specialized in cloaking their discoveries in incompressible jargon. But now I needed information not found by asking random questions on a screen.

They library's design and staff inspire knowledge. A dead end is temporary and maybe even become a useful lesson. The wooden cases, tables, and the beading on the molding and ornate ceilings makes one feel like they are part of the tradition of passing on centuries of instruction. And even though there are laptops everywhere, they seem to belong, as did the rarely used exoskeleton of the pneumatic tubes.

I even used one of those insane microfilm machines where you whiz through indecipherable information in hopes of finding what you want. And the Library has become a tourist destination. I went during the busiest tourist week and the visitors seemed like curious medical students watching an operation from the theatre. Although some children had clearly not scrubbed for the occasion, the awe in their eyes said new readers may have been created.

One book that I requested was so decrepit that only they could make copies. Another was delicately tied with a white ribbon, which was ironic as I was researching the New York Police Department during the early 20th century. Did you know they kept records as to much stolen sugar they recovered annually?

The staff was incredibly helpful, thoughtful, and professional. It was as if I was lost in the desert and they were happy to share heir limited water with me. For me, the fun of research is finding something that you are not looking for and now find interesting.

When I told my wife, who also had used their knowledge and kindness recently, said she thought she was in the ancient library at Alexandria.

HELLO Warren - welcome to my favorite FREE building! (In infinitely smaller scale that's how the 92Y library used to work (thank you for saving that!!)

Many years ago, I was in the neighborhood and I ran into a friend's father-in-law who worked there who was early for work. He offered me a tour of the stacks and I got an hour private tour of the stacks - the place is amazing.

PLEASE support it New Yorkers and donate in the jars - visitors - and visit the special exhibits and see the exhibit about the building of the library on the 2nd floor AND visit the other 3 research libraries - www.nypl.org

Happy New Year one and all.

I had a feeling we would hear from you on this subject. Thanks.

I want to read the article that comes out of your research - I went to a FREE class there about the library's resources for researching OLD New York -- It was great! CORRECTION to my prior post - Thanks for helping us TRY to save the 92Y library -- It is being destroyed (dismantled) as we speak.

The NYPL also offers free guided tours of the building twice a day: http://www.nypl.org/research/calendar/tourschedule.cfm

I took the tour last March, and this is what I wrote in my TR then:
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Sculpture on the side of the main entrance:
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_3104.jpg

Our tour size is quite large - at least 30 people. The tour is fairly interesting and we were led into various reading rooms. What I find disappointing though, is that the NYPL holds many, many rare (or historic) documents and books, yet very few of them are on view. Our guide kept telling us about their special collection of this and rare collection of that, but we couldn't see any of it. I wish the NYPL would do what the British Library does - create a space/galleries as an exhibit to show off all these rare items.

One of the most fascinating fact I learned on this tour, is that the site of the library was a reservoir before the library was built. There is a gallery in the library which details the building of the library, complete with historic photos.

Some photos of the interior of NYPL:
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_3106.jpg
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_3082.jpg

Outside the Library, across the street, one can get a great view of the Gold & Black Art Deco top of the American Standard Building.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_3108.jpg
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The British Library does not show all their rare stuff and the public library here - the one you toured has major exhibit space where they DO mount exhibits of their rare stuff. Right now there's an exhibit of early New Amsterdam maps and the 250? anniversary of Candide?

Look at exhibit info at all 4 RESEARCH libraries. There is also a branch library system as well. www.nypl.org

And much of the info (especially pictures) is digitized on the website.

Beautiful (the building and the report)

The main branch of the New York Public Library is a wonder. Not only do they have a series of always interesting exhibits and one of the most beautiful reading rooms in the world - but the staff is always helpful in finding things most libraries never even dream of.

It's so sad that the branches of the library - the lending sections most used by the public - don;t work to the same standard - not due to staff - but due to the constant budget cuts - that cause shorter and shorter hours and lack of books in some smaller branches.

Every visitor to NYC should make a point of seeing the Library.

SueNYC, my point was that at the British Library, there is a dedicated (rather large) gallery called the Treasures of the Library where the very rare/valuable items are on permanent display, such as Beowulf, Shakespeare & Austen manuscripts, letters by Elizabeth I, Haydn/Handel music manuscripts etc.

I'm not saying that the NYPL doesn't put the rare works on display, but only via exhibitions - and of very specific topics. So, for visitors like me, it can be a hit or miss, dependning on whether I'm interested in the current exhibition subject.

Adu - interesting to read that you are researching the NYPD in early 20th century. Did you come across an individual - William Devery? He was a NYC cop in late 19th century and into 20th and managed to do "well enough" to buy a professional baseball team - the Baltimore team - brought them to NY as the Highlanders and then become known as the Yankees. My interest was in the adoption of a design by Louis Comfort Tiffany for a medal for the Police Dept which is the original of the interlocking NY on the Yankee uniform. Did Devery just adopt that design - or did he get permission or what from Tiffany?

YK - If you are visiting soon and you want to see more Jane Austen manuscripts and letters - go to the Morgan Library and there's a great Puccini exhibit there now as well.

HAPPY New Year Warren, Joe and the rest of you!

Unfortunately, the Puccini one will be over before my visit. I was devasated when I saw it on Morgan Library's website.

However, I think I'm arriving on the closing day of the Lincoln center exhibit. Not sure if I can get to it before closing time!

Not really an Austen fan.

jroth

Unofrtunately that was not what I was researching. But I happened upon a cop who was making $1,000 a year who had $73,000 in the bank. Quite the saver.

I guess Devery used the same means to acquire the Highlanders. They will not be the first or last to take ill gotten gains and do something else with the money.

Happy New Year to all.

I love libraries - thanks for the trip report, aduchamp1.

Lee Ann

This was my/ours favorite building of all the buildings we toured.The small walking tour at 11am is very interesting and full of history. The girls enjoyed the lovely reading room, and the Pooh book downstairs in the children's section. It is a must to see on every visit we will make to the city.

This library has a wonderful gift/book shop too. I bought a paperback copy of a Jacob Riis book, 'How The Other Half Lives' that I gave as a gift with two tix to the Tenement Museum.