I am writing from inside the New York Public Library, where I’m doing some research in The New Yorker Arhives that are housed here. This is my second visit (last time was in the early 2000’s for my book. This time for my documentary), and I love it.
One of - if not THE - most magical spaces in Manhattan. Which is possibly the most magical city I’ve ever been in, even though I routinely skipped school to eat my lunch on a ledge in front of the Parthenon and was on the Champs Elyses for New Year’s. Looking through the windows of the library to see the Empire State Building reaching into the sky beat both.
It really is magical, and I am sad to say I don't go there often. It was full of tourists yesterday, whicn is new since the last time i was inside. You grew up in Rome? The Parthenon was my favorite place. I lived there when I was 16.
I lived for awhile in the affluent Piedmont CA, which has no public library. I was at one meeting on the subject of founding one, and describing how it was the one place a child could always go, and take something home-- a child of whatever kind of household of whatever income and I started crying. I didn't know anyone there, and I hadn't ever been an impoverished child, and wasn't thinking of any. It just goes to show what libraries are about. Nobody seemed to understand this aspect of libraries as a result of my outburst, and we never got one while I was there, because as people pointed out, there are libraries in the schools! I mention this only to confirm what you say in your post. I had books of my own, but my library life was so special.
Thank you for writing that. It's true, the hold some sort of place, power even, that we can share as humans. Not just schools, but communities. i loved seeing the diversity in the NYCPL.
Thank you for this, Liza. I’m a (retired) librarian, and libraries are my cathedrals. Wherever I go, I search for the nearest public library and spend time there. The smell, the light, the quiet hum of people working - libraries are magical places. And NYPL is especially beautiful.
This place is wonderful. Because Katie and I both love reading and books, we make an effort to just be in this space every time when in NYC. If you haven’t visited, do it!
I only went in when I'd sold a story and it was getting edited. I'd forgotten the smallness and the narrowness and the tininess. There was a glassed- in closet in that hallway, and one day while I waited to be fetched, a bizarre receptionist said to me, "You aren't allowed to look into that closet." Actually, those are probably all my memories of the hallway in the picture.
Athens. My parents dropped my sister and me into an American private school there (I was 13 and she was 15) and went travelling (my dad had been in Europe on business for years) It turned out pretty amazing though. How did you wind up in Rome at 16? Diplomatic circles?
Oh, right. I was hearing "Pantheon," in my head! I also went to the American School in Rome. My father took a sabatical and we all moved there for a year. it was life changing for me, set me on this path I am still on.
That had to be amazing I’ve always wanted to go to Rime. I’m older than you but suspect our schools might have been under the same ‘umbrella’. (Our school teams played one another). There’s a lot to be said for spending time abroad during our formative years.
It was amazing, although being a 16 year old with long blond hair in Rome was, shall I say, an eye opener for me? But I totally agree, intellectually and fromatively, it was incredible to be away from the US for a year. particularly when I was there, which was 1971. We were not liked over in Europe, and I often passed for Canadian or Scandinavian....
If I could I’d find a year abroad for all high schoolers. And I had many friends whose parent was on sabbatical. What a great multicultural experience.
This is really lovely. I can feel your inner calm through your writing, and also the excitement of finding something new. Plus, it’s also wonderful to feel such an evocation of the meaning of libraries.
Well she seemed pretty demented. Do you know the closet I mean? It was right in that hallway and nobody used it, it was unchanged from year to year. Just a nothing sort of window into nothing, while waiting to be fetched. But there WAS a strangeness about never meeting the other people, but then at the end of meeting, I'd notice if one person came in, a slew of people might appear, to lean against door jambs. By the way, a subject of massive fascination to me was the NY Yacht Club-- it was one block away but situated on the same spot on the block-- 44th maybe. The window sills were the transoms of huge sailing ships with the wake pouring out each side. So dazzling all-- in stone. And now that's all I remember.
Except that Veronica gave me a choice of two mobiles for when my children were born. I took the one that played Here Comes Peter Cottontail because I didn't want the one that played King of the Road. Because, what if my babies grew up like that man? So she gave that one to Roz Chast's baby. She said Roz Chast liked that one. So then I realized I ought to grown more as a person. Which I'm sure is true.
I don't know the closet, no! I was in there so few times. Very odd! And yes, I do recall the yacht club, I think it's still there...have not gone down that street in a while. Thanks for your stories!
One of - if not THE - most magical spaces in Manhattan. Which is possibly the most magical city I’ve ever been in, even though I routinely skipped school to eat my lunch on a ledge in front of the Parthenon and was on the Champs Elyses for New Year’s. Looking through the windows of the library to see the Empire State Building reaching into the sky beat both.
It really is magical, and I am sad to say I don't go there often. It was full of tourists yesterday, whicn is new since the last time i was inside. You grew up in Rome? The Parthenon was my favorite place. I lived there when I was 16.
Sadly, your photos are probably be the only time I will see this magnificent space. Thank you so very much, Liza.
I am very glad to show them to you! Thank you.
You are right - and even small community libraries have a magical quality to them - a different sound and smell the minute you walk in.
I agree - magical places, each book a doorway.
Very good point. They don't have to be magestic to be calming and hold something.
I lived for awhile in the affluent Piedmont CA, which has no public library. I was at one meeting on the subject of founding one, and describing how it was the one place a child could always go, and take something home-- a child of whatever kind of household of whatever income and I started crying. I didn't know anyone there, and I hadn't ever been an impoverished child, and wasn't thinking of any. It just goes to show what libraries are about. Nobody seemed to understand this aspect of libraries as a result of my outburst, and we never got one while I was there, because as people pointed out, there are libraries in the schools! I mention this only to confirm what you say in your post. I had books of my own, but my library life was so special.
Thank you for writing that. It's true, the hold some sort of place, power even, that we can share as humans. Not just schools, but communities. i loved seeing the diversity in the NYCPL.
🌺 lovely
Thank you for this, Liza. I’m a (retired) librarian, and libraries are my cathedrals. Wherever I go, I search for the nearest public library and spend time there. The smell, the light, the quiet hum of people working - libraries are magical places. And NYPL is especially beautiful.
Thank you! Our daughter is now a librarian! I studied the librarians who helped me yesteday, wondered who they were....
This place is wonderful. Because Katie and I both love reading and books, we make an effort to just be in this space every time when in NYC. If you haven’t visited, do it!
Terrific! Yes, it is wonderful.
Check this out:
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-d8bd-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
WOAH!!!!
Don't you want to reminisce with me about the New Yorker hallway? I was so excited to see those pictures.
Sure! Tell me again how long you were there and what you did. I have to say I wasn't inside the offices very often, but I was enamored!
I only went in when I'd sold a story and it was getting edited. I'd forgotten the smallness and the narrowness and the tininess. There was a glassed- in closet in that hallway, and one day while I waited to be fetched, a bizarre receptionist said to me, "You aren't allowed to look into that closet." Actually, those are probably all my memories of the hallway in the picture.
That quote is so New Yorker of that time. Dos and don'ts, a certain unspoken etiquette.....
Sacred space for quiet contemplation. Dreamy! Thanks for sharing.
you are so welcome!
Athens. My parents dropped my sister and me into an American private school there (I was 13 and she was 15) and went travelling (my dad had been in Europe on business for years) It turned out pretty amazing though. How did you wind up in Rome at 16? Diplomatic circles?
Oh, right. I was hearing "Pantheon," in my head! I also went to the American School in Rome. My father took a sabatical and we all moved there for a year. it was life changing for me, set me on this path I am still on.
That had to be amazing I’ve always wanted to go to Rime. I’m older than you but suspect our schools might have been under the same ‘umbrella’. (Our school teams played one another). There’s a lot to be said for spending time abroad during our formative years.
Rome.
(Just when you want spell check aargh)
It was amazing, although being a 16 year old with long blond hair in Rome was, shall I say, an eye opener for me? But I totally agree, intellectually and fromatively, it was incredible to be away from the US for a year. particularly when I was there, which was 1971. We were not liked over in Europe, and I often passed for Canadian or Scandinavian....
If I could I’d find a year abroad for all high schoolers. And I had many friends whose parent was on sabbatical. What a great multicultural experience.
This is really lovely. I can feel your inner calm through your writing, and also the excitement of finding something new. Plus, it’s also wonderful to feel such an evocation of the meaning of libraries.
Well said--and its interesting you could feel it in my writing. Thank you, Jonathan.
Well she seemed pretty demented. Do you know the closet I mean? It was right in that hallway and nobody used it, it was unchanged from year to year. Just a nothing sort of window into nothing, while waiting to be fetched. But there WAS a strangeness about never meeting the other people, but then at the end of meeting, I'd notice if one person came in, a slew of people might appear, to lean against door jambs. By the way, a subject of massive fascination to me was the NY Yacht Club-- it was one block away but situated on the same spot on the block-- 44th maybe. The window sills were the transoms of huge sailing ships with the wake pouring out each side. So dazzling all-- in stone. And now that's all I remember.
Except that Veronica gave me a choice of two mobiles for when my children were born. I took the one that played Here Comes Peter Cottontail because I didn't want the one that played King of the Road. Because, what if my babies grew up like that man? So she gave that one to Roz Chast's baby. She said Roz Chast liked that one. So then I realized I ought to grown more as a person. Which I'm sure is true.
Thx Liza.
I don't know the closet, no! I was in there so few times. Very odd! And yes, I do recall the yacht club, I think it's still there...have not gone down that street in a while. Thanks for your stories!