| Proud, regal, majestic, their luxurious manes ruffled by | | | | site for a schedule of times. Reservations are not |
| the wind, El Polter's two lions, named Patience and | | | | required; just show up. |
| Fortitude by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, stare down | | | | If you are a visitor and need to check your email, the |
| their noses at us beneath hooded eyelids. Like two | | | | library provides free Internet access in the Main |
| elder statesmen, they stand guard at the marble | | | | Reading Room. |
| stairway entrance to the city's only palace, The New | | | | Now a few things kids can look up on the library's |
| York Public Library (NYPL) at Fifth Avenue and 41st | | | | many computers to make the visit a memorable |
| Street. | | | | learning experience. My seven year old niece Chanel |
| "What is this place?" asked Holly Golightly as her friend | | | | became more and more fascinated with words and |
| Paul led her up the stairs in the movie "Breakfast at | | | | spent hours on the Oxford Dictionary (OED) computer. |
| Tiffany's" (1961). Then as now, NYPL is too often | | | | You will find the Children's Center on the Ground Floor |
| overlooked as a terrific place to spend an afternoon; | | | | Level. Encourage your youngster to ask the librarians |
| particularly with kids from 4 years to teenagers, it is | | | | for assistance, they are readily available and always |
| met with an anticipation of boredom (just insist on | | | | helpful. |
| taking them, someday they will thank you). | | | | Find three headlines on the front page of The New |
| While one can only roam the splendid rooms of the | | | | York Times on the day of your birth. |
| Louvre or Buckingham Palace to admire the many | | | | Find at least five books on a subject that interest you |
| works of art, you can actually use this palace. Return | | | | on the computer. |
| again and again as often as you like, because it is | | | | Find a book about a famous person. Fill out the book |
| open seven days a week, and it's free! | | | | request form near the computer, submit the form to |
| Walk the wide marble halls and go up one of the two | | | | the book clerk, then wait for your number and pick up |
| grand staircases in Astor Hall to the third floor Main | | | | the book in the Main Reading Room. |
| Reading Room. Take a seat beneath the coffered | | | | Look up the word "daisy" on the Oxford English |
| painted ceiling, look up to the sky and clouds; then sit in | | | | Dictionary computer. Where did it come from and |
| a high-backed wood chair made smooth and | | | | when first used? Now, look up any word you would |
| comfortable from decades of wear and explore | | | | like to know more about. |
| current or past newspapers, magazines, rare books, | | | | Find out who said "Give me Liberty or Give me Death." |
| prints, hundred year old maps and any book that has | | | | In the Map Room on the first floor, find an 1800's map |
| ever been published. | | | | of New York City. |
| NYPL features art, print, and photography exhibits | | | | Apply for an access card to use books in the Library. |
| throughout the year. Stop to look at the incredible | | | | Address to Remember: New York Public Library, 476 |
| Gutenberg Bible dated 1455, one of the very first | | | | Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10138-0018, 212-930-0653, |
| printed books on display on the third floor. Check the | | | | NYPL offers a free monthly e-newsletter that will |
| reception desks in Astor Hall for daily library tours and | | | | keep you informed about everything exciting that is |
| plan to attend one of the many lectures given each | | | | happening at the library. Sign up at |
| week on topics such as, "Uncovering your roots", | | | | Hours: Mon, Thru - Sat 10 AM - 6 PM, Tues-Weds 11 |
| "Genealogy research" or "The history of Baseball". | | | | AM - 7:30 PM, Sun 12 - 5 PM |
| Lectures and Programs can also be found at the | | | | Directions: From Times Square. MTA 7 to 5th Avenue, |
| NYPL website (see below), be sure to select the | | | | Bus 42 or 104 to 5th Avenue. |
| Humanites and Social Services Library, then look for | | | | ©Copyright 2008-9 The Cable Group |
| Courses & Programs on the far left side of the | | | | Have fun! |