Booking in for an overnight stay: fans celebrate library's 100th anniversary
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New York Public Library celebrated its 100th anniversary yesterday. Its landmark Fifth Avenue building has nurtured generations of scholars and boasts such treasures as a Gutenberg Bible and an early copy of the Declaration of Independence.
The library was founded at the close of the 19th century by merging libraries built by wealthy New Yorkers James Lenox and John Jacob Astor. The current library system comprises some 90 research libraries and branch libraries. Its collections total more than 50 million items, including more than 20 million books.
The flagship is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, which opened on 23 May 23, 1911. Guarded by stone lions Patience and Fortitude, it is one of the city's most recognisable structures. A $50m (£30m) restoration undertaken to prepare for the centennial has removed decades of grime from the gleaming marble facade.
The library operates with both public and private funds, and cutbacks in city funding may force neighbourhood branch libraries to reduce their hours..
Centenary birthday festivities over the weekend included the unveiling of Lego replicas of Patience and Fortitude and an overnight scavenger hunt partially inspired by the film A Night at the Museum. Five hundred people spent the night at the library searching for artefacts.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments