The Rose Main Reading Room — Attraction in New York

If you are looking for a place to do extended readying and study, then you will appreciate this spacious and accommodating spot. To access this room, you will need to go to the top floor of the New York Public Library, Bryant Park location. If you bring any bags along (with books, laptops, etc.), then you will need to submit them for a security check as you enter the building and as you leave the building. You will also need to submit them for a security check when you exit the reading room.

The room opens at 10 am in the morning on weekdays and it closes at 8 pm (even thought the first floor of the library remains open until 9 pm).

The room features two spacious wings which provide free public WiFi. (You do not need a library card to use this room or to access the WiFi.) The chairs are comfortable enough for study and the tables feature ample reading lamps (even though the room is well-lit otherwise). They also include receptacles for plugging in your laptop and recharging your phone battery, although be advised that not all of the receptacles actually work.

One "quirk" about studying here is that tourists perpetually cycle through, looking around the room and snapping pictures, making small amounts of noise. To offset this minor inconvenience, you may want to bring along a pair...

The NYC Public Library Reading Room is undeniably stunning—an architectural masterpiece that inspires awe and admiration. However, navigating it as a visitor can be a frustrating experience due to the unhelpful or disorganized staff.

Want to study? You’ll need to show a laptop or a book to gain entry, but that isn’t always clear. Prefer a tour instead? Good luck figuring out the process. The tour times are supposedly listed on a board—“at the front,” you’re told, though where that is remains a mystery. After some searching, you’ll eventually find a board and a staff member who casually mentions you need a sticker to join. But where to get the sticker? Back “at the front,” of course, where a random person finally hands one over. Once you have it, you’ll be directed to “wait by the arch.” Naturally, you’ll need to figure out where that is, too.

The room’s beauty deserves better organization and friendlier guidance. Visiting shouldn’t feel like solving a scavenger hunt!

TLDR: for those wanting to visit: arrive between 10-11am before visitors must join a tour, or bring a...

A group of 5 people accidentally entered through the unlabeled exit (the sign was only visible on your way out). Racist white guy attendant in a maroon sweater loudly calls the group over but inadvertently only scolds the 3 people of color and pays no mind to the 2 white people that entered first.

He condescendingly scolds them for entering through the exit as if it’s inconceivable it was by accident, loud enough for everyone else in the quiet room to hear. He even doubles down and scolds one poor girl just for holding her phone as taking photos is not allowed, not paying attention to the fact that the white woman who lead the group through the exit in the first place was standing not too far, snapping pics with her phone. None of them responded so not even sure they were comfortable speaking in english.

If you’re POC and visiting this place for the first time, would avoid the white male attendant with mid length blond hair and a penchant for publicly humiliating young...