Schwarzman Library

Behind the Scenes of the Schwarzman Library 

 The Schwarzman Library also is known as “The New York Public Library”  located on 5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd street or as most people remember, in Bryant Park. The design of this library was created by Dr. John Shaw Billings and the first design was briefly sketched on a scrap of paper. His plan included an enormous reading room topping ,seven-floor stacks and the fastest delivery system in the world. The firm of Carrere & Hastings was chosen to construct the new library and it took workers two years to prepare the site. The cornerstone was placed on November 10, 1902. Towards the end of 1906, the roof was done, and designers began five years of interior construction. When the Schwarzman Library was first built, it was the largest marble building ever built in the United States. By 1910, there were 75 miles of shelves placed to contain their large selection of books. On May 24th, 1911, The New York Public Library officially opened and had about 30,000 to 50,000 visitors on its first day. This library quickly became a part of American life, providing information to all kinds of people in America. Today, the New York Public Library is the fourth largest library in the United States in terms of book quantity by currently housing over 53 million books. The two lions named Patience and Fortitude that sit on the sides of the entrance were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965, according to the National Register of Historic Places. Starting out with 75 miles of shelves and stacks, they now store 125 miles of them. They also have a staff of 3,150 including highly experienced librarians that are determined to help. Overall, this library holds a strong history and will continue to grow and aid many people with the information they need.

 By: Jennifer Serrano