1. Happy birthday us! On this day in 1911 the NYPL was dedicated by President Taft and opened to the public the next day.

    Happy birthday us! On this day in 1911 the NYPL was dedicated by President Taft and opened to the public the next day.

  2. Read a brief history of the Astor Free Library, which merged with Tilden Foundation and Lenox Library in 1895 to become the New York Public Library.

    Read a brief history of the Astor Free Library, which merged with Tilden Foundation and Lenox Library in 1895 to become the New York Public Library.

  3. yourathenaeum: Augusta Braxton Baker, librarian with The New York Public Library from 1937 to 1974, blowing out the story hour candle. Baker was a devoted storyteller who developed a groundbreaking list of stories that portrayed African Americans positively and established a collection of African American children’s literature at the New York Public Library. She became the first African American coordinator of Children’s Services at the NYPL in 1961, in charge of youth programming at all eighty-three branches. Her influence touched New York libraries, schools, community groups, the American Library Association, Sesame Street, and the works of authors like Madeleine L’Engle and Maurice Sendak. World-renowned novelist James Baldwin was one of the young men who sat in the children’s room at her first library job at the 135th St Branch. She was born on this day, April 1st, in 1911. You can read more about her life and legacy from the New York Public Library, Wikipedia, and the University of South Carolina. Hear her interviewed and see more photographs of her at work at Speaking of History.

    yourathenaeum:

    Augusta Braxton Baker, librarian with The New York Public Library from 1937 to 1974, blowing out the story hour candle. Baker was a devoted storyteller who developed a groundbreaking list of stories that portrayed African Americans positively and established a collection of African American children’s literature at the New York Public Library. She became the first African American coordinator of Children’s Services at the NYPL in 1961, in charge of youth programming at all eighty-three branches. Her influence touched New York libraries, schools, community groups, the American Library Association, Sesame Street, and the works of authors like Madeleine L’Engle and Maurice Sendak. World-renowned novelist James Baldwin was one of the young men who sat in the children’s room at her first library job at the 135th St Branch.

    She was born on this day, April 1st, in 1911. You can read more about her life and legacy from the New York Public Library, Wikipedia, and the University of South Carolina. Hear her interviewed and see more photographs of her at work at Speaking of History.

  4. Pop quiz: who wrote the quote above the door to the Rose Main Reading Room? carmina: Library day. #NYC #nypl #quote #art #library (Taken with Instagram at New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)

    Pop quiz: who wrote the quote above the door to the Rose Main Reading Room?

    carmina:

    Library day. #NYC #nypl #quote #art #library (Taken with Instagram at New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)

  5. My Library, My Story! What keeps me coming back…  →

    We highlight some great patron stories on the NYPL blogs.

  6. livefromthenypl: “This is not a humble letter but a bewildered and somewhat volatile letter….” In honor of Tennessee Williams’ birthday, take a look at this AWESOME letter from Williams to Audrey Wood taken from the NYPL digital archives.

    livefromthenypl:

    “This is not a humble letter but a bewildered and somewhat volatile letter….”

    In honor of Tennessee Williams’ birthday, take a look at this AWESOME letter from Williams to Audrey Wood taken from the NYPL digital archives.

  7. July 27, 1906: “I saw the hippopotamus yesterday. The heat did not bother him. He was taking a bath. Your Father.”  #CuteThingsDadsSendTheirKids From the Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection.

    July 27, 1906: “I saw the hippopotamus yesterday. The heat did not bother him. He was taking a bath. Your Father.” 

    #CuteThingsDadsSendTheirKids

    From the Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection.

  8. The New York Public Library has announced the finalists for the twelfth-annual Young Lions Fiction Award. The award honors the works of young authors carving deep impressions in the literary world. The winning writer will be awarded a $10,000 prize at a ceremony on May 14.

    The finalists for 2012 Young Lions Fiction Award are:

    • Open City by Teju Cole (Random House)
    • The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore by Benjamin Hale (Twelve/Hachette Book Group)
    • Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner (Coffee House Press)
    • Swamplandia! By Karen Russell (Alfred A. Knopf)
    • Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (Bloomsbury)

    Congrats to our finalists!

  9. Congrats to periodicals librarian Raymond Pun, who’s been named to Library Journal’s 2012 list of Movers & Shakers in the field. Read more about the awesome work Ray does helping students use the resources of the library and planning public programs, and find out why he dropped his plans to be a bankruptcy attorney for a career in library service. 

    Congrats to periodicals librarian Raymond Pun, who’s been named to Library Journal’s 2012 list of Movers & Shakers in the field. Read more about the awesome work Ray does helping students use the resources of the library and planning public programs, and find out why he dropped his plans to be a bankruptcy attorney for a career in library service. 

  10. Here’s a sneak peek at our new ‘wichcraft coffee carts, opening at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building tomorrow. You can get beverages, sandwiches, and snacks during library hours and enjoy them at cafe tables near the carts. Fuel up next time you’re at the library!

    Here’s a sneak peek at our new ‘wichcraft coffee carts, opening at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building tomorrow. You can get beverages, sandwiches, and snacks during library hours and enjoy them at cafe tables near the carts. Fuel up next time you’re at the library!