The New York Public Library has engaged in a mission to open its doors to all members of New York society. On the eleventh of March, 2008, the library announced a one billion dollar expansion which was intended to double its number of users. The details of this expansion showcase the library’s intention to become a research facility to all members of the public, not only the upper class (American Library Association). The Library positions itself to appeal to children and youth by hosting field trips and featuring a children’s room on the ground floor in room eighty-four (Braverman, 98). The library has been a destination for tourists for decades. Its close proximity to the theatre district allows millions of tourists to easily stumble through the doors of the New York Public Library. To accommodate the large amount of tourists the library holds free building and exhibition tours. These tours showcase the architecture and history of the historic building (Carmona, 56).
When the library first opened on May 24th, 1911 it housed over one million books. The library is now home to over fifty-two million items and because of this it has gained a prominent stature in both New York City and the world. The library’s collection has grown to such a colossal size due to its many generous donors (Reed and Bryant, 50-65). Some of the most prominent and famous donations include but are not limited to a two point four million dollar donation from Samuel J. Tilden (Davidson, 118) and Stephen A. Schwarzman’s hundred million dollar donation. These donations have allowed the library to open various wings and buildings dedicated to prominent scholars and writers. The wings and buildings are often named after the donor who has made them possible, for example, the main branch located between fortieth and forty-second street has been re-named the Stephen A. Schwarzman building after Schwarzman’s generous donation (NYPL.org). Schwarzman’s donation will be used to turn the central library into a destination for book borrowing as well as research. The Mid-Manhattan branch, on the east side of Fifth Avenue at Fortieth Street will be sold and its collection will be housed in the new space (Pogrebin).
The founding of the New York Library was intended to ensure that the city of New York became one of the most powerful cities in the world. Governor Samuel J. Tilden believed in this philosophy and his donation of two-point-four million dollars made the founding of the main branch between fortieth and forty second street possible. The Astor and Lenox libraries both existed before the founding of the New York City Public Library’s main branch. However, their collections were limited and scarcely available to the public. Tilden stated the New York City Library was to “Establish and maintain a free library and reading room in the city of New York.” This idea was the first of its kind in New York City and aided New York in becoming one of the world’s most prominent cities (NYPL.com).
Famous films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ghostbusters and Sex and the City: The Movie have been filmed at the New York Public Library. Through cinema and television the library has become an iconic symbol of New York City (Hoffman). The two lion statues which guard the front of the library have become as iconic as the library itself. They are made of marble and named Patience and Fortitude. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia gave them these names as he felt they were the qualities New Yorkers would need to get through the economic depression (NYPL.org). Along with the lions are the the famous inscriptions of John Jacob Astor, William Backhouse Astor, James Lenox, and John Jacob Astor which line the front of the library. John Jacob Astor’s name is listed twice due to the fact that there were two John Jacob Astors. The first one listed is the man who funded the creation of the Astor Library. The second John Jacob Astor listed is the grandson of John Jacob Astor, John Jacob Astor III. He presented the library a total of four-hundred and fifty thousand dollars in his will after his passing (nypl.org).
The library is taking steps to ensure it stays relevant in a digital age. It has launched a program called “Stereogranimator”, which uses the library’s extensive archive of stereographs. The project uses the old form and enables users to transform images into animated GIFs, an popular internet image (Taintor). Another example of digital innovation the library is engaged in is its application for iPad and iPhone. The application allows users to discover daily featured items which are housed inside the library (Watters).

Works Cited

“ALA | American Libraries – $1-Billion NYPL Expansion to Add Branches, Technology.” ALA | Home – American Library Association. American Library Association, 14 Mar. 2008. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

Braverman, Miriam. Youth, Society, and the Public Library. Chicago: 1979. Print.

Carmona, Matthew, Hammond, Leo and Magalhaes, Claudio. Public Spaces the Management Dimension. New York: Routledge, 2008. Print.

Davidson, Marshall B. and McTigue, Bernard. Treasures of The New York Public Library. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1988. Print.

“History of The New York Public Library.” New York Public Library. New York Public Library. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

“History of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building | The New York Public Library.” Welcome to The New York Public Library. The New York Public Library. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

Hoffman, Barbara. “New York Public Library.” New York Post 22 May 2011: 44. Print.

“The Library Lions.” New York Public Library. New York Public Library. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

“A Mystery in Astor Hall.” New York Public Library. New York Public Library. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

Pogrebin, Robin. “A $100 Million Donation to the N.Y. Public Library.” Editorial. The New York Times 11 Mar. 2008. The New York Times. The New York Times, 11 Mar. 2008. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.

Reed, Henry Hope and Bryant, H. Stafford Jr. The New York Public Library its Architecture and Decoration. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1986. Print.

Taintor, David. “New York Public Library Launches ‘Stereogranimator’.” TPM Idea Lab. TPM Media LLC., 29 Jan. 2012. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

Watters, Audrey. “The Boundless Library: Explore the New York Public Library Collections on Your IPad.” The Boundless Library: Explore the New York Public Library Collections on Your IPad. ReadWriteWeb, 17 May 2011. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .