New York City Library Hours & Opening Times 2025
Quick Facts
- 10,000+ libraries in our database across 50+ countries
- Updated monthly with verified opening hours
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📚 The World's Greatest Library City: New York City boasts an unparalleled library network with THREE separate systems serving 8.3+ million residents - the New York Public Library (NYPL) covering Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island with 92 locations, Brooklyn Public Library with 60 branches, and Queens Public Library with 65 branches. From the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building guarded by Patience and Fortitude lions on 5th Avenue to world-class university libraries at Columbia and NYU, NYC offers over 200 libraries with 55+ million items. Whether you're researching in the legendary Rose Main Reading Room, studying at Columbia's Butler Library, or browsing Brooklyn's Art Deco Central Library, New York welcomes you 7 days a week with free WiFi, computers, and the city's intellectual heart.
🦁 NYPL Main Branch - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (commonly called NYPL Main Branch) stands as one of New York City's most iconic landmarks. Opened in 1911, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street is guarded by the marble lions Patience and Fortitude. The legendary Rose Main Reading Room - stretching two full city blocks with 52-foot ceilings adorned with hand-painted clouds - has hosted millions of researchers, students, and writers including E.L. Doctorow, Tom Wolfe, and Norman Mailer.
🕐 NYPL Main Branch Opening Hours
| Monday - Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday - Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Closed major holidays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
📍 Location & Getting There
Address: 476 Fifth Avenue (at 42nd Street), New York, NY 10018
Subway (BEST): B, D, F, M trains to 42nd Street-Bryant Park station. Exit at 6th Avenue/42nd Street, walk east 1 block. Library entrance faces 5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets.
Alternative Subway: 7 train to 5th Avenue station, walk south 2 blocks. OR 4, 5, 6 trains to Grand Central-42nd St, walk west 2 blocks.
Bus Routes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, M42, M55, Q32
Location Note: Library sits in Midtown Manhattan between Grand Central Terminal (east) and Times Square (west), adjacent to Bryant Park (behind library)
✨ Special Features
- Patience & Fortitude Lions: Iconic marble lion sculptures guarding main entrance (Mayor LaGuardia named them during Great Depression)
- Rose Main Reading Room: 297-foot-long hall with 52-foot ceilings, murals of New York State skies, oak tables, brass reading lamps - seats 500
- Research Collections: 20+ million items including maps, prints, photographs, manuscripts, rare books
- Bill Blass Public Catalog Room: Original card catalogs preserved as architectural feature
- Gutenberg Bible: On display - one of first books printed with movable type (1455)
- Winnie-the-Pooh Originals: Actual stuffed animals that inspired A.A. Milne's stories
- Technology: Free WiFi throughout, 200+ computers, laptop power outlets at every seat
- Exhibitions: Rotating exhibits in Gottesman Hall (always free)
- Tours: Free guided tours daily 11am and 2pm (meet at Astor Hall information desk)
- Bryant Park Access: Back entrance leads to Bryant Park - free WiFi, lawn, food kiosks
Phone: (917) 275-6975 | Website: nypl.org/schwarzman
🎓 Columbia University Libraries - Butler Library
Butler Library serves as Columbia University's main library in Morningside Heights. Completed in 1934, Butler's iconic South Facade features the names of great thinkers carved in stone (Homer, Herodotus, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, Cicero, Vergil, Dante). The library holds 2+ million volumes and welcomes public visitors to its main reading room during daytime hours.
🕐 Butler Library Hours (Academic Year)
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 1:00 AM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM |
Extended to 24 hours during finals weeks. Reduced summer hours. Public access during daytime only.
📍 Location & Access
Address: 535 West 114th Street, New York, NY 10027 (Columbia Campus, Morningside Heights)
Subway: 1 train to 116th Street-Columbia University station. Exit at Broadway, walk west through campus gates. Butler Library faces south on main quad.
Public Access: General public welcome in main reading room with photo ID. Borrowing privileges restricted to Columbia students/faculty. No food/drink inside.
Neighborhood: Morningside Heights, Upper West Side. Near Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Riverside Park.
🏛️ Columbia Library System
- Butler Library: Main humanities and social sciences library, iconic facade, 6-floor stacks
- Avery Architectural Library: One of world's finest architecture libraries, public welcome
- Science & Engineering Library: Northwest Corner Building
- Rare Book & Manuscript Library: Special collections by appointment
Phone: (212) 854-7309 | Website: library.columbia.edu
🗽 NYU Bobst Library - Washington Square
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library serves as NYU's flagship library in Greenwich Village, facing Washington Square Park. Opened in 1973, Bobst features distinctive red sandstone facade and a dramatic 12-story atrium. The library underwent major renovation in 2019, adding advanced study spaces and technology.
🕐 Bobst Library Hours (Academic Year)
| Monday - Thursday | 8:30 AM - 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Friday | 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM (midnight) |
📍 Location & Access
Address: 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012 (Greenwich Village)
Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M trains to West 4th Street-Washington Square. Exit at 6th Avenue, walk east to Washington Square Park. Library on south side of park.
Public Access: Limited. Ground floor and some study areas open to public with photo ID. Upper stack floors require NYU ID. No borrowing without NYU affiliation.
Phone: (212) 998-2500 | Website: library.nyu.edu
🌉 Brooklyn Public Library - Central Branch
Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch at Grand Army Plaza is Brooklyn's crown jewel. Opened in 1941, this Art Deco masterpiece features a stunning gold facade with allegorical figures representing art and science. BPL serves 2.7 million residents across 60 branches, making it one of America's largest public library systems.
🕐 Brooklyn Central Library Hours
| Monday - Thursday | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday - Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
📍 Location & Getting There
Address: 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Prospect Heights)
Subway: 2, 3 trains to Grand Army Plaza station (exit directly at library). Also: B, Q, S trains to Prospect Park.
Features: Art Deco architecture, gold facade, 1.5+ million items, free WiFi, computers, stunning reading rooms
Phone: (718) 230-2100 | Website: bklynlibrary.org
🗽 Popular NYC Branch Libraries
📚 Jefferson Market Library
Location: 425 6th Avenue, Greenwich Village, Manhattan 10011
Hours: Mon-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun Closed
Features: Housed in stunning Victorian Gothic courthouse (1877), National Historic Landmark, beautiful reading room, popular with NYU students
Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to West 4th Street
🏢 Mid-Manhattan Library
Location: 455 5th Avenue (at 40th Street), Manhattan 10016
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun Closed
Features: Adjacent to NYPL Main, popular materials, extensive DVD/audiobook collection, free computer classes, centrally located
Subway: 7 to 5th Avenue, or 4,5,6 to Grand Central-42nd St
👑 Queens Central Library
Location: 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens 11432
Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5:30pm, Sun Closed
Features: Queens Public Library flagship, 4 floors, extensive multilingual collections (over 60 languages), free parking, WiFi
Subway: E, J, Z trains to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer
💡 NYC Library Insider Tips
🚇 Master the Subway Access
NYPL Main: Take B,D,F,M to 42nd St-Bryant Park for closest access (1 block walk). Avoid Times Square crowds. Columbia Butler: 1 train to 116th St. Brooklyn Central: 2,3 to Grand Army Plaza (exit AT library). Always use MetroCard - $2.90 per ride, unlimited weekly $34.
🦁 Tourist Must-See Library
NYPL Main Branch is NYC's #1 library for tourists. See Patience & Fortitude lions, Rose Main Reading Room, Winnie-the-Pooh exhibit, Gutenberg Bible. FREE guided tours 11am and 2pm daily. Combine with Bryant Park (behind library), Times Square (3 blocks west), Grand Central (2 blocks east).
📱 Get NYC Library Card
FREE for all NY State residents! Apply online at nypl.org, bklynlibrary.org, or queenslibrary.org. One card works at ALL 200+ NYC libraries. Instant access to: millions of books, free eBooks (Libby), museum passes (MoMA, Met, Natural History), LinkedIn Learning, NY Times archives.
🌙 Late-Night Study Options
No NYC public libraries open 24/7. Latest: NYPL Main (8pm Mon-Wed), Columbia Butler (1am during semester). For overnight: Columbia 24-hour during finals (students only). Alternatives: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chelsea (24hr), Think Coffee (multiple 24hr locations), or NYU study lounges.
📖 Free Museum Passes
NYC library card unlocks FREE or discounted passes to 30+ NYC museums including MoMA, Brooklyn Museum, Bronx Zoo, NY Botanical Garden. Reserve online via library website. Saves $25-30 per admission! Popular passes book fast - reserve 2 weeks ahead.
❄️ Best Winter Refuge
During NYC winter (December-February, often 20-40°F), libraries offer warm, free shelter with WiFi, bathrooms, seating. NYPL Main's Rose Reading Room has radiator heat and iconic ambiance. Brooklyn Central has cozy reading nooks. All branches welcome anyone - no library card required to sit and warm up.
💳 Get Your NYC Library Card
Who Can Get a Card?
- Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in New York State
- Children of any age (parent/guardian signature required for minors)
- Temporary NY residents (students, visitors with NY address)
- Cost: 100% FREE for all New York State residents!
What to Bring
Proof of Identity: Driver's license, passport, state ID, or government-issued ID
Proof of NY Address: Utility bill, bank statement, rental lease, or mail from last 3 months with NY address
Three Library Systems: Get NYPL card (Manhattan/Bronx/Staten Island), Brooklyn Public Library card, or Queens Public Library card - your card works across all 200+ locations!
Your Card Unlocks
- Borrow unlimited books, DVDs, audiobooks from 200+ branches
- Free eBooks and audiobooks via Libby, hoopla, SimplyE apps
- Museum passes (free/discounted to MoMA, Met, Brooklyn Museum, Bronx Zoo, NY Botanical Garden, and 25+ more)
- LinkedIn Learning premium courses (normally $30/month)
- NY Times, Wall Street Journal digital access (in-library)
- Ancestry.com library edition, Mango Languages (180+ languages)
- Reserve study rooms, attend free classes and events
- Free WiFi printing ($0.15/page), scanning, computer use
Apply Online: nypl.org/library-card | bklynlibrary.org | queenslibrary.org
📞 Contact NYC Libraries
📱 NYPL
General Info: (917) 275-6975
Main Branch: (917) 275-6975
Website: nypl.org
Social: @nypl (Instagram/Twitter)
📚 Brooklyn Public
General Info: (718) 230-2100
Central Branch: (718) 230-2100
Website: bklynlibrary.org
Social: @bklynlibrary
👑 Queens Public
General Info: (718) 990-0700
Central Library: (718) 990-0700
Website: queenslibrary.org
Social: @queenslibrary
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit NYPL Main Branch as a tourist?
ABSOLUTELY! NYPL Main Branch (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building) is one of NYC's top FREE attractions. No library card needed to visit. See iconic Patience & Fortitude lions, tour Rose Main Reading Room, view Gutenberg Bible and Winnie-the-Pooh exhibits. FREE guided tours at 11am and 2pm daily (meet at Astor Hall). Perfect rainy-day activity! Adjacent to Bryant Park.
Are NYC libraries open on New Year's Day?
All NYPL, Brooklyn, and Queens libraries are CLOSED on major holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Most have reduced hours Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Always check library website before visiting on/near holidays.
Do I need to make an appointment to use NYC libraries?
No appointments needed for general library use - all public libraries welcome walk-ins during open hours. Computers are first-come-first-served (though you can reserve online at NYPL). Appointments ARE required for: Special Collections viewing at NYPL Main, study room reservations (book online), and some research consultations. Most Columbia/NYU areas require student ID.
Which NYC library is best for WiFi and laptop work?
NYPL Main Branch Rose Reading Room: Best ambiance, strong WiFi (100+ Mbps), outlets at every seat, quiet atmosphere, AC/heat. Columbia Butler: Fast WiFi, late hours (1am), quiet, but public access limited. Jefferson Market (Greenwich Village): Strong WiFi, outlets, popular with laptop workers. All 200+ branches have free WiFi - no library card required!
Can I return Brooklyn library books to Manhattan NYPL?
NO - three separate systems! NYC has THREE independent library systems: NYPL (Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island), Brooklyn Public Library (Brooklyn only), Queens Public Library (Queens only). You CANNOT return books across systems. Example: Brooklyn books must be returned to any Brooklyn branch. However, your NYPL card often works at Brooklyn/Queens for computer use and in-library browsing.
Where can I study late at night in NYC?
Public Libraries: Latest is NYPL Main (8pm Mon-Wed). University Libraries: Columbia Butler open till 1am during semester (public access limited); NYU Bobst till midnight (ground floor only). 24-Hour Options: Columbia extends to 24-hour during finals (students only), Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chelsea, Think Coffee (multiple 24hr locations), or any 24-hour diner with WiFi.
🗽 Experience The World's Greatest Library City
From the legendary Rose Main Reading Room guarded by marble lions to Brooklyn's Art Deco masterpiece and Columbia's intellectual halls, New York City offers unparalleled library excellence across 200+ locations. Whether you're researching at NYPL Main, studying at Columbia Butler, or exploring neighborhood branches, NYC welcomes you with 55+ million items, free WiFi, and the heartbeat of global knowledge.
Start your NYC library journey today - the city that never sleeps, reads.
📖 Helpful Resources
🗺️ Explore Nearby
Verified Info: Our team personally contacts libraries to verify hours. Data last confirmed: December 2025
Common Questions About Nyc Libraries
What time do libraries open in Nyc?
Most public libraries in Nyc open at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM on weekdays. Weekend hours typically start at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Academic and university libraries may open earlier, around 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM during the semester.
Are Nyc libraries open on weekends?
Yes, most Nyc public libraries are open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday hours vary by location, with many libraries operating reduced hours (12:00 PM to 5:00 PM) or remaining closed.
Do I need a library card to visit Nyc libraries?
No, you can visit and use library facilities without a card. However, borrowing books, accessing computers, and using certain services require a free library card. Residents can get one with valid ID and proof of address.