Explore The Area

The New York Public Library (NYPL) is a renowned public library system in New York City. With a staggering collection of nearly 53 million items, the NYPL ranks as the second largest public library in the United States and the fourth largest in the world. Its vast resources include books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and digital materials, serving millions of visitors each year.

Branches: 87

Size: 53,000,000 books and other items

Officially chartered as The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations, the library was established in the 19th century through the merger of several grassroots and social libraries, many founded by passionate bibliophiles and wealthy patrons. The institution’s growth was fueled by the philanthropy of some of the most prominent Americans of their era, creating a lasting legacy of public access to knowledge, culture, and learning in New York City.