1. A second Caturday, because you can never have enough cats (and because sometimes birds need a shout-out, too).

    A second Caturday, because you can never have enough cats (and because sometimes birds need a shout-out, too).

  2. Armor display at the George Bruce branch of the library. Apparently this was on loan from the Met, somewhere between 1920 and 1950. No other details at this time, but we dig it.

    Armor display at the George Bruce branch of the library. Apparently this was on loan from the Met, somewhere between 1920 and 1950. No other details at this time, but we dig it.

  3. 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.

  4. The Young Lions gave out their annual Fiction Award last night. The big winner - Karen Russell, for her novel Swamplandia!. Karen wasn’t able to be there in person to accept her award (she’s on a fellowship in Berlin), but her brother accepted it on her behalf with a hilarious speech. Pictured above (l-r):Sloane Crosley, Ben Lerner, Teju Cole, NYPL President Anthony Marx, Benjamin Hale, Billy Crudup. Sloane and Billy were gracious readers, giving us a taste of each nominated novel by reading the opening paragraphs aloud. Teju, Ben, and Benjamin were the other Fiction Award nominees, along with Jesmyn Ward, who also couldn’t make the event. Congrats to Karen! Photo by Jonathan Blanc

    The Young Lions gave out their annual Fiction Award last night. The big winner - Karen Russell, for her novel Swamplandia!. Karen wasn’t able to be there in person to accept her award (she’s on a fellowship in Berlin), but her brother accepted it on her behalf with a hilarious speech.

    Pictured above (l-r):Sloane Crosley, Ben Lerner, Teju Cole, NYPL President Anthony Marx, Benjamin Hale, Billy Crudup.

    Sloane and Billy were gracious readers, giving us a taste of each nominated novel by reading the opening paragraphs aloud. Teju, Ben, and Benjamin were the other Fiction Award nominees, along with Jesmyn Ward, who also couldn’t make the event.

    Congrats to Karen!

    Photo by Jonathan Blanc

  5. 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.

  6. The A. G. Spalding Baseball Collection is just full of men with mustaches. Seems like the rise of professional baseball corresponded with a fashion for facial hair.  A little research determines that this fellow, Mr. A.M. Wood, actually played cricket. You can read stats from several 1897 matches his team (the Philadelphians) played versus various teams in England if you are the type of person who likes reading old cricket scores. We say, that’s a cracking good mustache, sir! Happy Mustache Monday!

    The A. G. Spalding Baseball Collection is just full of men with mustaches. Seems like the rise of professional baseball corresponded with a fashion for facial hair. 

    A little research determines that this fellow, Mr. A.M. Wood, actually played cricket. You can read stats from several 1897 matches his team (the Philadelphians) played versus various teams in England if you are the type of person who likes reading old cricket scores.

    We say, that’s a cracking good mustache, sir!

    Happy Mustache Monday!

  7. Well, this was yesterday, but still - these prints are gorgeous. Just a sample of the inspiration you can find at the library.

    artprintsphotographsnypl:

    Today, on May 10, 1866, Russian painter and stage designer Leon Bakst was born. Check out some of his costume designs in the Library’s Digital Gallery.

  8. Today we conclude our week of posting photographs of Rock icons and legends in celebration of the opening of Patrick Harbron’s Rock and Roll Photography Exhibition at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. We decided to post this rarely seen portrait that Patrick of Ray Charles. Can you say awesome?

    Today we conclude our week of posting photographs of Rock icons and legends in celebration of the opening of Patrick Harbron’s Rock and Roll Photography Exhibition at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. We decided to post this rarely seen portrait that Patrick of Ray Charles. Can you say awesome?

  9. It only seems appropriate to post a photograph of rock icon - and friend to the NYPL - Keith Richards, who is featured in Patrick Harbron’s Rock and Roll Photography exhibition OPENING TODAY!!!! at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Did you know that Keith always wanted to become a librarian? It’s true! 

    It only seems appropriate to post a photograph of rock icon - and friend to the NYPL - Keith Richards, who is featured in Patrick Harbron’s Rock and Roll Photography exhibition OPENING TODAY!!!! at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Did you know that Keith always wanted to become a librarian? It’s true! 

  10. Today in celebration of Patrick Harbron’s upcoming Rock n’Roll photography exhibition opening May 10 at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, we are going to go with this photo of The Boss from 1984. It was GLORY DAYS for Bruce in ‘84 as he had just released his iconic album BORN IN THE USA, was dancing on stage with Courtney Cox and was basically the biggest rock star on the planet (though Michael Jackson may argue with that). Glory days indeed.   

    Today in celebration of Patrick Harbron’s upcoming Rock n’Roll photography exhibition opening May 10 at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, we are going to go with this photo of The Boss from 1984. It was GLORY DAYS for Bruce in ‘84 as he had just released his iconic album BORN IN THE USA, was dancing on stage with Courtney Cox and was basically the biggest rock star on the planet (though Michael Jackson may argue with that). Glory days indeed.