New York Society Library

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New York Society Library Founded in 1754, New York City's oldest library is a thriving community of readers, writers, and families. See nysoclib.org for more details.

We are open to all for reading, reference, and many events. Founded in 1754, we are the city’s oldest library and a thriving community of readers, writers, and families. The Library is open to all for reading, reference, exhibitions, and many events, with circulation and other services by subscription. Our landmark building houses roughly 300,000 volumes, reading rooms, study spaces, a children’s library, and an exhibition gallery. The Library is a not-for-profit organization supported in part by tax-deductible contributions.

Did you know one of our favorite literary bears recently turned 100? According to our friends at The New York Public Lib...
10/22/2026

Did you know one of our favorite literary bears recently turned 100? According to our friends at The New York Public Library, ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ was first published in October 1926! 🐻🍯

A little shoutout to NYPL, which is celebrating with a special anniversary exhibition, “Silly Old Bear! Winnie-the-Pooh at 100,” on view through November 30 at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Sounds like a lovely visit for any Pooh fan!

And while you’re celebrating your love of books, visit us, too. We have bookish gems waiting to be read and discovered! 📚📖

Bonus: Curious George celebrated his 85th birthday back in September (first published in 1941!). Here’s to many more years of curiosity! 🐵

We love a good tote bag, and we LOVE ours! ♥️ Perfect for carrying books, groceries, and all your everyday essentials. I...
10/16/2026

We love a good tote bag, and we LOVE ours! ♥️

Perfect for carrying books, groceries, and all your everyday essentials. It pairs effortlessly with any outfit and is your go-to for life on the go, weekend adventures, and travel! 📚 ✨

And the best part? You’re carrying a little piece of NYC history. Founded in 1754, the New York Society Library is New York City’s oldest library and cultural institution. Now that’s a tote worth carrying with pride! 🏙️ 🗽

👜 Looking for your next favorite tote? Stop by the front desk to check ours out!

The Library will be closed Monday, October 12, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Italian-American Heritage Day. Otherwise,...
10/09/2026

The Library will be closed Monday, October 12, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Italian-American Heritage Day. Otherwise, we’ll be open during our regular hours!

✨ Two writers in the spotlight! ✨

Joy Harjo (Muscogee Nation) is an internationally renowned poet, storyteller, musician, and playwright. She served three terms as the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States (2019–2022) and was recently honored with a National Humanities Medal.

📕 An American Sunrise: Poems
📕 A Map to the Next World: Poems and Tales
📕 The Woman Who Fell from the Sky: Poems
📚 Find these titles in Stack 9!

Gay Talese, an Italian American writer and legendary journalist, has had a career spanning more than six decades. He is widely credited with helping pioneer an inventive style of nonfiction writing known as New Journalism. In May 2026, the New York Public Library acquired his professional and personal archive.
📕 A Town Without Time: Gay Talese’s New York
📚 Find it in Stack 9!

💬 Looking for more book recommendations, especially to honor these observances? Ask us in the comments or come on by. We’d love to help you find your next great read!

Happy October, everyone! 🍂 September was packed with various programs, from lectures/book talks to writing workshops. He...
10/01/2026

Happy October, everyone! 🍂

September was packed with various programs, from lectures/book talks to writing workshops. Here is a collage of some events and behind-the-scenes moments!

Want to know what’s happening this month? Next? LinkTree has the details. 🔗

See you soon!

Do you see anything different about our Cooper Room? 👀 📚 We’ve transformed this workspace into an event space! It’s perf...
09/24/2026

Do you see anything different about our Cooper Room? 👀 📚

We’ve transformed this workspace into an event space! It’s perfect for conferences and informative programs, including our newest forum-style workshop on educating ourselves about AI. 💻

Our upcoming workshop, New Tools, New Questions: Introducing Artificial Intelligence for Readers and Writers, is fully registered; however, it is free and open to the public. Feel free to join the waitlist or even stop by to see if we have space. We’d love to have you!

And a reminder: many of our events are open to the public. Not a member? Ask us about our Day Passes!

Join us for our first Young Members Event (LinkTree has the details), and stay tuned for more events to come!More detail...
09/22/2026

Join us for our first Young Members Event (LinkTree has the details), and stay tuned for more events to come!

More details about the new group to come. 📚

"What Do You See?” writing workshop has returned! Imagination has been kindled by mysterious objects unveiled only in cl...
09/18/2026

"What Do You See?” writing workshop has returned! Imagination has been kindled by mysterious objects unveiled only in class: a N’5 Chanel perfume bottle (still full), a playful miniature piggy bank, and a lightning round with tiny wrapped objects you can keep! Who knows what would be next!? 💻 🖊️



Once unveiled, what does the item evoke in you? What would you write about? ✍🏼 📄



We welcome all narratives, including poems. One of our attendees wrote about how her daughter would love the miniature piggy bank (a freebie from a natural gas company) and their banter on the color. The essay was a love letter to her. Perfect for all kinds of writers and storytellers.
Not a writer? You are more than welcome to tell your story! 🐽 💌



This workshop is open to Library members free of charge; nonmembers who wish to join in are welcome to become a “member for a day” by purchasing a Day Pass (where you can stay to explore what we have to offer at the library, from comfortable workspaces to browsing the stacks).



You get to keep your tiny mystery object! 🦦 ❤️

Admiring how the afternoon sunlight streams through the window, falling across the ornate red armchairs and the west wal...
09/15/2026

Admiring how the afternoon sunlight streams through the window, falling across the ornate red armchairs and the west wall’s bookshelf, so close to the fireplace and wall mirror. There’s something magical about a library in this kind of light. 📚 😍

Libraries have a way of making you want to linger.

♥️ Members’ Room | Main Reading Room

Address

53 E 79th Street
New York, NY
10075

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

(212) 288-6900

Website

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