At Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building pairs a monumental Beaux-Arts exterior with working library spaces and exhibitions. Marble lions Patience and Fortitude guard the entrance; inside, look for the Rose Main Reading Room, with its painted ceiling, chandeliers and long rows of oak tables. The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures brings rare books and historical objects into view, including a Gutenberg Bible and the original Winnie-the-Pooh toys. It is a rewarding stop for architecture, books and quiet time in Midtown.
A landmark on Fifth Avenue
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building stands at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, facing Bryant Park. Carrère and Hastings designed it in the Beaux-Arts style. Construction took place from 1902 to 1911, and the building was dedicated in 1911. Its public rooms and grand stone exterior give this branch a different feel from a neighborhood library.
Two marble lions flank the main entrance. They are named Patience and Fortitude, names chosen by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia during the Great Depression. The steps and lions draw photographers, but the building is also a place to enter and explore. Inside, marble staircases, columns, murals and chandeliers carry the architecture beyond the façade.
The Rose Main Reading Room
The Rose Main Reading Room is one of the building’s defining spaces. On the third floor, it stretches nearly the length of a football field. Its high ceiling has a celestial mural, and large windows look over rows of oak tables. Original lamps designed by Carrère and Hastings sit above the tables.
The room is both an architectural interior and a working reading space. Keep your visit quiet and follow any posted directions, especially if people are studying. Some research areas have access restrictions, so a general visit does not guarantee entry to every room. A guided tour can provide access to certain areas that are not open to regular visitors.
Treasures on display
The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures presents objects from the library’s collections. The displays include a Gutenberg Bible and the original stuffed animals associated with Winnie-the-Pooh. Other holdings mentioned in the building’s exhibitions include manuscripts, maps, letters and historic documents.
Exhibitions give visitors a way to encounter the collections without needing to consult materials in a research room. The items on view can change, so check the library’s website if you have a particular object or exhibition in mind. The building also has a gift shop, a useful final stop for book-related souvenirs.
Planning a visit
The building is at 476 Fifth Avenue, between 40th and 42nd Streets. It is within walking distance of Times Square and next to Bryant Park, so you can combine a library visit with time in the park. The entrance area tends to draw people taking photographs; moving on to the reading rooms and exhibition spaces shifts the focus from the façade to the interior.
Free docent-led tours have been described as a way to learn about the architecture and historic rooms, including the Rose Main Reading Room. Tour schedules and access can change, so confirm current details with the library before you go. If you want a quiet place to work, choose a less frequented desk area rather than expecting the entrance to be calm.
FAQ
Is the New York Public Library free to visit?
The building and its exhibitions are described as free to enter. Check the library’s website for current visitor information and any tour details.
How long should I spend at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to see the main rooms and exhibitions. A guided tour adds roughly an hour.
Can visitors see the Rose Main Reading Room?
The Rose Main Reading Room is a key public interior to look for. Access to some other areas is restricted, so check current entry details if you have a specific room in mind.
Where is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building?
It is at 476 Fifth Avenue, at 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, beside Bryant Park.
