1. It’s Memorial Day, and in its honor, here’s an image (circa 1768) of the flower that later became known as the “Memorial Day Poppy.” The poppy movement to honor veterans and those lost serving their country was started by Moina Michael, who - inspired by Colonel John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” that described poppies growing between the grave markers of soliders who had  fought valiantly - wrote her own 1918 World War I poem mentioning the flower “We Shall Keep The Faith.”  She started wearing a poppy, and the tradition lives on today. You can read more about Moina Michael via the Library’s collections starting tomorrow. Today, NYPL is closed in honor of Memorial Day. 

    It’s Memorial Day, and in its honor, here’s an image (circa 1768) of the flower that later became known as the “Memorial Day Poppy.” The poppy movement to honor veterans and those lost serving their country was started by Moina Michael, who - inspired by Colonel John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” that described poppies growing between the grave markers of soliders who had  fought valiantly - wrote her own 1918 World War I poem mentioning the flower “We Shall Keep The Faith.”  She started wearing a poppy, and the tradition lives on today. You can read more about Moina Michael via the Library’s collections starting tomorrow. Today, NYPL is closed in honor of Memorial Day. 

  2. This super artsy Caturday is brought to you by the Library’s Prints Collection. This black and white print — called “Tete de Chat” — was created sometime between 1866 and 1878, and was etched by Felix Bracquemond. While it’s a beautiful image, the cat does look a little down - maybe because he knows that the NYPL is closed for Memorial Day this weekend. But never fear, little kitty, we’ll be back open Tuesday. Happy long weekend, and happy Caturday! 

    This super artsy Caturday is brought to you by the Library’s Prints Collection. This black and white print — called “Tete de Chat” — was created sometime between 1866 and 1878, and was etched by Felix Bracquemond. While it’s a beautiful image, the cat does look a little down - maybe because he knows that the NYPL is closed for Memorial Day this weekend. But never fear, little kitty, we’ll be back open Tuesday. Happy long weekend, and happy Caturday! 

  3. Need we say more? Nah, we think this 1899 sheet music from our Library for the Performing Arts pretty much covers it. Don’t forget your mother, and Happy Mother’s Day to all! 

    Need we say more? Nah, we think this 1899 sheet music from our Library for the Performing Arts pretty much covers it. Don’t forget your mother, and Happy Mother’s Day to all! 

  4. It’s getting close to dinner time, so we thought we’d share this 1962 St. Patrick’s Day menu from our Rare Books Division to whet your appetites (technically it’s a brunch menu, but whatever). For $5.75 a person, diners got a whole lot of green / Irish branded food, including green bean salad, salmon in a green sauce, green pea soup, and “Leprechaun” beer. Most of the food sounds amazing … although the cup of fresh clam broth with whipped cream sounds a bit odd. Love our historic menus? Check out the blog of Menu Collection curator Rebecca Federman, and then check out our What’s On The Menu? project, which allows the public to transcribe info on our menus into a searchable database, helping culinary historians and researchers. So give it a try - just a warning: it’s addictive. 

  5. It’s St. Paddy’s Day, and even though the NYC parade was actually yesterday, we wanted to share this historic photo of the famous parade marching down Fifth Avenue back in 1904. Specifically, it’s marching by 56th Street. The image is currently in our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

    It’s St. Paddy’s Day, and even though the NYC parade was actually yesterday, we wanted to share this historic photo of the famous parade marching down Fifth Avenue back in 1904. Specifically, it’s marching by 56th Street. The image is currently in our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

  6. Top o’ the morning to ya, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! To mark the occasion, here are just a few samples of historic St. Paddy’s Day cards and photos from the varying collections of The New York Public Library. Want to explore more historic artifacts and images? Browse through our Digital Gallery - there’s something for everyone. Enjoy! 

  7. This weekend is St. Patrick’s Day, and there will be much celebrating in New York City (starting today, with the St. Paddy’s Day Parade, which you can watch online and will march right past our landmark 42nd Street building), so for a festive Caturday, we’re sharing this 1885 image by legendary artist Rudolph Caldecott, which depicts a (very odd) celebration. The image - located in our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection - features a kind of angry looking cat and the fiddle (as in “hey, diddle, diddle”) and several children happily dancing (including the one in the front, who is either very, very tiny, or a doll that’s sort of alive. It’s unclear). Meanwhile, an adult in the background is serving the food and looking on with an expression of, “Yeah. This is normal and happens all the time.” Gotta love it. Happy Caturday!

    This weekend is St. Patrick’s Day, and there will be much celebrating in New York City (starting today, with the St. Paddy’s Day Parade, which you can watch online and will march right past our landmark 42nd Street building), so for a festive Caturday, we’re sharing this 1885 image by legendary artist Rudolph Caldecott, which depicts a (very odd) celebration. The image - located in our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection - features a kind of angry looking cat and the fiddle (as in “hey, diddle, diddle”) and several children happily dancing (including the one in the front, who is either very, very tiny, or a doll that’s sort of alive. It’s unclear). Meanwhile, an adult in the background is serving the food and looking on with an expression of, “Yeah. This is normal and happens all the time.” Gotta love it. Happy Caturday!

  8. In honor of President’s Day, check out these stamps from our Rare Books Division featuring President Lincoln (we also have Jefferson and Monroe stamps). The three-cent stamps from 1925 are the inspiration for a very cool DIY project from our friends over at Design*Sponge. So shout out to them, and shout out to NYPL’s eBooks - we’re closed today for the holiday, but you can still download something to read from your home.

    In honor of President’s Day, check out these stamps from our Rare Books Division featuring President Lincoln (we also have Jefferson and Monroe stamps). The three-cent stamps from 1925 are the inspiration for a very cool DIY project from our friends over at Design*Sponge. So shout out to them, and shout out to NYPL’s eBooks - we’re closed today for the holiday, but you can still download something to read from your home.

  9. Need help with your iPad, Kindle, Nook, or other ereader? →

    Did you receive an e-reader this holiday season? Not quite sure how to use it? Did you know you can download Library books from the comfort of your own home? For these or any other e-reader questions, visit NYPL online or in person and let our staff help you learn the ins and outs of your new iPad, Kindle, Nook, etc.

  10. It’s a Christmas-themed Caturday, with this 1910 postcard from our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection. The card depicts a wide-eyed, well-dressed kitty wishing the card’s recipient a merry Christmas. Oddly, the back of the card reveals that the card was sent from an “Aunt Pelara” in August of 1910. Yes, August. Well, whatever! It’s still cute, and is purrrrfect for the last Caturday before Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, just a reminder, NYPL is closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25, for the holiday. But our eBooks will still be available. Happy Caturday!

    It’s a Christmas-themed Caturday, with this 1910 postcard from our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection. The card depicts a wide-eyed, well-dressed kitty wishing the card’s recipient a merry Christmas. Oddly, the back of the card reveals that the card was sent from an “Aunt Pelara” in August of 1910. Yes, August. Well, whatever! It’s still cute, and is purrrrfect for the last Caturday before Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, just a reminder, NYPL is closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25, for the holiday. But our eBooks will still be available. Happy Caturday!