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Public Libraries in NYC

Use this guide to help you navigate the fantastic resources available throughout the NYC public library systems.

About New York Public Library

One of the world's largest public library systems, with branches spanning Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, is right at our fingertips!

Schwarzman Building    New York Public Library's Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, formerly the Mid-Manhattan Branch Library    New York Public Library's Thomas Yoseloff Business Center

1. At Berkeley's Midtown campus, we are just steps away from the famous Schwarzman Building (the one with the lions). This main branch is not only beautiful to wander through, but houses multiple art exhibitions each year. It also holds thousands of reference materials, archives, and other books, and provides ample space for studying and public computer use.

2. Just as close is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) (built on the site of the former Mid-Manhattan Library), containing a wide-ranging collection of popular books, older and classic fiction, DVDs, CDs, and more for patrons of all ages. Computers are available by reservation for public use. The SNFL reopened on June 1, 2021.

3. Within the SNFL is the Thomas Yoseloff Business Center, which offers an extensive collection of materials, programs, and services dedicated to helping those working in business or studying in business and technical areas. Research help is available, along with special databases only accessible on-site. As of October 2021, patrons must book a personal consultation with an NYPL librarian before using the research reading area, database computers, or Bloomberg terminals. (The Yoseloff Business Center previously was known as the Science, Industry and Business Library, and located in a separate location.)

Website In a Nutshell

The New York Public Library's website can sometimes be hard to navigate. Here are some starting links to get you headed in the right direction!

Expand Your Resources!

Did you know?

Through NYPL you can gain access to:

  • LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), an online collection of training and tutorial materials to help develop your skills, including software use and major concepts in a wide variety of career areas.
     
  • JSTOR, an extensive article database covering many subjects in the liberal arts and sciences, available on-site only (plus many additional non-Berkeley databases).
     
  • Mango Languages, a series of interactive language-learning lessons, with nearly 40 languages available.
     
  • A large collection of e-books for download, both academic and popular.
     
  • Vast historical news repositories, and digital collections of primary source materials
     
  • Bookshare, a service giving patrons with print disabilities free access to accessible e-books and audiobooks from home