53rd Street Library — Attraction in New York

Rushed to this Library at 5:45, library said it was open til 6pm. I was trying to print one page on the computer which would have taken one minute. I was in the process of printing, when I got yelled at to get off the computer in the middle of printing by Greg S. at 5:46. So I got off in the middle of my print job and went to the front desk asking if someone could just print this one page for me, and instead of taking one minute to print this page, Howl spent several minutes arguing with me that it would take longer then 1 minute, when he could have just printed it instead of wasting time and arguing with me about it. As Jonas and other wonderful employees there have printed things for me in the past. I went upstairs to talk to someone at the desk by the front door, and Greg H. apologized and was a lot nicer to me then Howl and Greg S. was, and explained that there was nothing he could do to help me but at least it was in a pleasant tone. I understand everyone is in a rush to go home. But the library is open til 6pm, so I shouldn’t be getting yelled at 5:45 to leave after I rushed to get there before they close and therefore don’t have time to go to another library to print what I urgently needed printed. This was the worst experience I ever had with employees who have worked at this library, after using the NYC libraries for 45 years! Usually everyone at this library is really nice. What a...

Took a second look at this branch after it first opened this week. I actually wanted to borrow a book, which is possible if you can find one, and then find a librarian. That's what this branch ironically lacks: connection, unless its internet or electrical your out of luck. Access to the front door is even a challenge as I passed by it just one big glass wall facing 53rd. I noticed a couple people missing the entrance and having to back track to just enter. By the time you find the door and walk down the long corridor down another corridor to a elevator down, you could have read a short story, but still no books. Anyway its all just screens and nice spaces and yes there are some books, but for me (over 40) its admittedly cold and sterile, I remember the old branch and although no prize you could actually browse the shelves. Here on the cold marble floors the shelves and books are just in the way of chairs and laptops, its really just a lovely internet cafe without the coffee, and a few books strewn around. Is it the world of libraries the public wants, possible the younger and upwardly mobile, but I wonder about the curious and the poor, and the under educated. Is this...

The most beautiful library I have been to. There is so much history and the architecture of the building is magnificent.

We visited the main branch of the library and stayed for almost two hours. How? Because there is so much to see and admire. The library had beautiful Christmas decorations when we visited (12/29/18). My favorite was the giant Christmas tree in the center of the lobby/main entrance.

The main reading room is a must and is divided into tourist section and actual reading section for people studying or researching. My husband and I sat and marveled at everything around us. There are also many different rooms that we recommend - follow the guide/map. One of my favorite rooms was the map room. I picked out an atlas for Korea and just sat there for awhile, reading the book surrounded by beautiful artwork of New York. Behind the library is Bryant Park, which is another beautiful spot. While we were there, the holiday market was in along with the ice skating. I loved the market so much that I returned...