Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
New York, NY 10018
917-275-6975
Directions
Fully Accessible
Open today
10 AM–6 PM
Regular Hours
Day Hours
Monday 10 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–8 PM
Thursday 10 AM–6 PM
Friday 10 AM–6 PM
Saturday 10 AM–6 PM
Sunday 1 PM–5 PM
Division hours may vary.
2023 Holiday Closings

The New York Public Library’s flagship location, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is one of the Library’s premier research centers, renowned for its extraordinary historical collections and its commitment to providing free and equal access to its resources. 

Learn more about research collections and services at the Schwarzman Building.

Please Note: As part of the Library's Midtown Renovation, we are in the process of upgrading, renovating, and adding more public space to the Schwarzman Building to prepare this historic library for future research, exhibitions, and programs. Currently, we are working on upgrades to the building’s cooling tower and HVAC system, as well as improvements to building circulation and flow with the addition of a new elevator and staircase. We remain focused on limiting the impact of this work on public service, but we do ask for patience and understanding in instances of noise or any other disruption during your visit.

Now Open! Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures

For more than 125 years, The New York Public Library has collected, preserved, and made accessible the world’s knowledge. Now, for the first time, the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures, now open at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, showcases some of the most extraordinary items from the 56 million in our collections, inspiring and empowering visitors to discover, learn, and create new knowledge—today and in the years ahead. Reserve your free timed tickets for the Library's premier free exhibition. Learn more.

Rose Main Reading Room: Open for Research & Quiet Study

Interior photo of the historic Rose Main Reading Room

We are pleased to welcome patrons back to the Library’s historic Rose Main Reading Room for research and quiet study. If you’re just visiting but would like to see the Rose Main Reading Room, sign up for one of our daily guided tours.

In the Spotlight

Featured at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

  • Research at the Schwarzman Building

    The Library's research divisions contain art, artifacts, manuscripts, multimedia, rare books, and more across a wide range of subjects. Begin your exploration of the collections at the Schwarzman Building.

    Laptop and stack of books in the Rose Main Reading Room

  • Visit the Library Shop

    Located on the first floor of The New York Public Library's landmark building on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, the Library Shop & Café is an essential stop for visitors to NYPL's flagship location.

    Interior photo of the new NYPL Shop, featuring shoppers looking at various shelves filled with merchandise.

  • From Our Blog

    Check out blogs from the expert librarians and staff at the Schwarzman Building.

    Photograph of a Library patron working at a laptop.

Current Exhibitions

About the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Interior view of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is part of The New York Public Library, which consists of four major research libraries and 88 branch libraries located in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Often referred to as the "main branch," the Beaux-Arts landmark building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street houses outstanding research collections in the humanities and social sciences. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is currently undergoing a renovation. Learn more.

Learn more about this location Learn about capital construction projects at this location