The majestic Beaux-Arts building, flanked by the two famous marble lions, Patience and Fortitude, has been the heart and soul of the New York library system for nearly a century. Begun in 1902, the library at the time became the largest marble structure ever built in the United States. In addition to rotating exhibits, beautiful murals, a gift shop, and its exquisite interior, the real jewel of the library remains the vast, recently-renovated Main Reading Room, with its massive oak tables occupied by scholars busy reading and quietly typing on their laptops. The reference librarians are famous for their ability to quickly find answers to the many unusual questions asked of them every day.

In 2008 the New York Public Library announced an ambitious $1 billion transformation plan (click here to read more) that included:

• Fifth Avenue Building Dramatically Renovated to Become Flagship Lending and Research Library, A Model for the Urban Library of the Future • Large Hub Libraries Established in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island as Anchors to Neighborhood Branches • Expanded Digital Resources Increase Access to Library Collections • $100 Million Gift From Stephen A. Schwarzman is the Largest Outright, Unrestricted Donation to a New York City Cultural Institution

Some impressive statistics: The New York Public Library system is the largest research library with a circulating system in the world. Over 2.34 million cardholders borrow materials from the vast system of library branches. Approximately 10,000 items per week in dozens of languages are added to the collections. Definitely explore the library's massive holdings and impressive digital library collections and electronic resources on-line.