The History and Importance of the New York Public Library
You might remember the satirical episode of Seinfeld where a private investigator from the New York Public Library hassles Jerry to return the copy of Tropic Of Cancer that he checked out in 1971. Well, one little known fact about the New York Public Library is that they actually have their own security guards and special investigators with the authority to make arrests under the New York state penal code to oversee their security. The New York Public Library includes both a network of public community libraries serving the Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island Burroughs of New York City and a semi-private collection of scholarly research collections. It is one of the most comprehensive libraries in the world and holds a plethora of information that is well worth securing.
Unlike many other libraries The New York Public Library was not created by a government statute. Historically, it has been a conglomeration of private philanthropy working with the city government to meet the needs of the people. Beginning in the 1800's philanthropic citizens like John Jacob Astor and James Lenox created the Lenox and Astor libraries for public use. In the late 1800's New York governor and presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden left the bulk of his estate to the citizens of New York for the creation of a free library and reading room. This lead to the creation of the New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. These library projects were all private until 1901 when Andrew Carnegie donated funds to create branch libraries in New York City with the requirement that the city maintain the libraries. Now, the NYPL consists of 89 libraries, of these, four are non-lending research libraries, four are main lending libraries, one is a library for the blind and handicapped, and 77 are neighborhood branch libraries. The main branch of the NYPL opened doors to the public in 1911 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
As a privately managed, nonprofit corporation the New York Public Library operates with both private and public financing. The NYPL accepts donations and endowments like those made by the libraries early benefactors, and offers several miscellaneous perks to its members as well. With a Friends of the Library membership pledge of $25 you can become a "library associate." Library associates receive a 10% discount at The Library Shop in New York or online and 15% off NYPL digital prints. Members who pledge $1000 receive much more, including invitations to the NYPL Holiday Open House, VIP exhibitions and friends of the Library exhibits, a years subscription to Bookmark the libraries informative magazine, and deep discounts on many of the libraries products and services. The library also accepts book collections and art as donations.
With these donations the library succeeds in offering the public a myriad of knowledge and still manages to award others for their hard work and dedication. Some examples are The New York Public Library Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism, Young Lions Fiction Award, and the Jean M. Campbell Reference Service Award.
The library hosts many exhibits, craft fairs, and other events at their locations in New York City, be sure to check their calendar of events before planning a trip to New York City to learn more about dates and times.
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