Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
New York, NY 10018
917-275-6975
Directions
Fully Accessible

Enter the building via the main entrance on Fifth Avenue, or the accessible entrances at 40th Street and 42nd Street.

See Accessibility Details
Open today
1 PM–5 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

Welcome to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Exterior of the Stephen A. Schwarzman building with red banners displayed on the front.

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.

Start Your Journey at the Library's Visitor Center

Interior of the Visitor Center at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, featuring tables of digital displays and touchable/tactile objects, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and panels of carved wood lining the walls.

Discover the Library’s legacy and collections through interactive exhibits and more in this new public space. Learn more.

Explore the Building: Download a Map | Descargue un mapa | 在此处下载大楼地图

Visit the 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. Learn more.

In the Spotlight

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

Accessibility Details

The New York Public Library strives to ensure that everyone has access to the full range of information, services, and programs that are offered at the Library. Learn more.

All public service units of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building are wheelchair accessible. A ramp entrance to the building is located at 42nd Street, and a street-level accessible entrance is available at 40th Street. All levels of the building are accessible by an elevator at the north end of the building.

If you require an additional accommodation on site, please speak to a staff member. For more information or for an accommodation, please email accessibility@nypl.org. To learn more about the accessibility of NYPL websites and mobile applications, see our Web & Mobile Accessibility Policy.

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.

     
  • Due to new Library policy, e-bikes, e-scooters, and electronic transportation devices are not permitted inside any NYPL location. This does not apply to mobility aids.