New York, New York!

This week I would like to feature the lovely New York Public Library (a.k.a. the NYPL), as featured in many movies and TV shows, such as Ghostbusters and Once Upon A Time. Of course, there are many libraries in New York (92 to be exact, located in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island - per the NYPL's website), but this is the BIG one! I love visiting here, as it has such beautiful architecture, history, and personality. It was also declared a national historical landmark and also a New York City landmark.

Original Winnie the Pooh set! (So cute!)

Located on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the main branch of the New York Public Library houses the famous Rose Main Reading Room, the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal set, and thousands of items to read, watch, or listen to, including research collections. These collections include an original copy of the Declaration of Independence handwritten by Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Woolf's walking stick, and Maya Angelou's archives! (www.nypl.org, At A Glance fact sheet)

New York Public Library - Front View

The front of the main branch is impressive. It beckons you to come in and wander around, get lost in a book. Two lions guard the northern and southern entrances. Their names have changed over the years, but as of the 1930's, they are known as Patience and Fortitude, for "the qualities [Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia] felt New Yorkers would need to survive the economic depression." (www.nypl.org) These figures have been implemented as the library's mascots, as shown in the library's logo.

New York Public Library - Fifth Avenue Fountain

Here is fountain that is in front of the main entrance on Fifth Avenue. This fountain and its partner are the work of Frederick MacMonnies. Fun Fact: He created a piece titled American Monument that was a commissioned gift to the people of France in exchange for the Statue of Liberty! (www.nypl.org) The fountain was not on at the present, as it is currently undergoing restorations. It is a lot smaller than Once Upon A Time leads you to believe, but nonetheless, beautiful!

Rose Main Reading Room famed ceiling mural

Rose Main Reading Room (shhh, people at work)

The Rose Main Reading Room reopened in the Fall of 2016, so I was able to capture a few shoots of the beautiful restorations! The ceiling mural, bookshelves, and sitting room is a real life version of Belle's library from Beauty and the Beast! You are not allowed to take photos of the entire space, as people are actually studying, reading, and doing work, but there are sections allotted for tourists and library enthusiasts to take photos and marvel at the intricacy of the design.

Bookshelves to envy! So many books to discover!

What is your favorite library to explore or that you have visited? Let me know in the comments, or feel free to send me an email! 

As Taylor Swift sang, "Welcome to New York, it's been waiting for you!"

Current # of books read: 34
Currently reading: Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo