The New York Society Library

This is one of, maybe the oldest library in the United States. It's a very nice, kinda posh Upper East Side kind of place. Has a nice kids library. A good place to write.

Went for the fashion exhibit and wanted to take a peak inside . I loved it Very nice staff that offered to give me a free tour if I was interested . I’ll definitely take them up on that next time because you can tell the minute you walk in that this place is special . Quiet , serene and a curated selection of beautiful books . Yes there is a membership fee but I think it would be worth it for the events and having a quiet place to write and study . It’s all walker and wheelchair accessible , don’t let the stairs deter you they have a chair Lyft and automatic button to open door . A vintage Elevator can get you to the other floors . Lovely interior and location too . See you soon NYSL

It is a nice spot... But it really is upscale and not meant for people like you and me (brown). That is unless you are swimming in $$$ I felt very much out of place here and maybe that is a good thing. I’m sure they have lovely books, all the best books, but people only seem to go here to study. I did not see anyone in the actual stacks enjoying the books. I’m a little sour on this spot because i thought it would be a hidden gem but very much like the rest of New York City there is no such thing. If i was rich I would just buy books and make my own library instead of getting a membership to this stuffy place. On the flip side, have you been to an actual Nyc Library lately? It is full of wonderful people and great books.

The New York Society Library is a gem. The oldest library in New York City, it was founded in 1754 - their early records are digitized and can be searched in the library website. The collection is wonderful, carefully curated, housed in twelve floors of stacks, most of them open. It has beautiful spaces for reading and studying, including desks placed directly among the stacks - one of which, the Green Alcove, is pure magic. It also has an exhibition gallery, and hosts talks frequently. An amazing institution, that keeps alive an inclusive and welcoming spirit. Indeed, as some reviewers before me have noted, it is members-only, self sustaining and independent. No stuffiness here, only true love of books.

Found out this library today and became a member to use their study room! So pretty and classic

I wandered in not knowing it was a member-only library. The workers at the front desk offered a free tour. The library was lovely and the tour was free, educational and interesting! The tour guide was really nice and I had a great visit here.

It's nice, but they won't allow you to use the children's area on a day pass. Very disappointing. They should list this on the website.

Beautiful, comfortable, friendly, and well stocked private library. I love spending time here.

Beautiful historic building. It is a subscription place, but they have a public room and the people at the desk are very kind and friendly. I have nothing bad to say. Good study space with a quiet and clean environment and wifi. Cool air, everything felt good in here!

I was searching for a quiet place to study and read with relatively few people, and the New York Society Library was the perfect candidate. It's location on Madison Avenue, a part of the city with beautiful architecture, made me want to go even more! Although it seems exclusive to members only, they have a first floor study room where non-members are welcome to come and spend a few hours. The ambiance is quite fitting for study -- the antique wood, archways, and winding staircases makes me feel like I'm in an 19th century reading room. They even have free hot coffee sometimes! I never had an issue with the staff. The first time I came here, there was an incident in which a drifter started conflict with an older woman trying to use the computer. This was a little unexpected as I usually see this at the larger NYPL branches. However, it was very peaceful the second time I came since it was me only and another person. I'm really happy I found a library that is more secluded with the perfect ambiance. I'm looking forward to more study sessions here in the future!

Good study space with a quiet and clean environment. The Hornblower Room on the fifth floor especially.

Beautiful historic building. The light fixtures, wood molding and staircases were worth the visit. Even the door knobs and elevator looked well preserved. I did not get the negative vibe as described on Yelp. I was welcomed upon entry. I explained the reason for my visit. I was told they would be happy to give me a tour of the library. I signed the register and was left on my own after being pointed up the stairs to the Goodhue Collection. The art work actually flows up and on the landings and along the walls of the stairways. Membership is expensive to the NY Society Library. You really only need to be a member if you plan to check out books. You can sit in the public section and they will be glad to bring you anything you desire. Today I came to see the art collection of the Goodhue Family. What a treat! Very beautiful pieces of sculpture. Historic drawings of New York. Very old photographs. Worth your time to see this collection before it is gone. I wandered to far up the stairs and happened on wonderful works by Audubon. After sneaking photos, I was told I wasn't supposed to be up there. I was still provided with a friendly discussion by the fellow. The Audubon works belong to the Society. He said they had a lot more Audubon pieces but someone accidentally locked into the library one night stole them. They were never recovered. Very cute story!! I could see how that could happened. I was told no photos and then left alone.he also went on his way and left me n my own. :-) Really, you need to go visit this library if you enjoy architecture, libraries, museums, and/or art. It has it all!! Remember Goodhue Exhibit is time limited. See my photos.

Why am I the first person to review the NYSocLib? It's not like it's new; George Washington borrowed books from here (and forgot to return one). The reason is the name: it sounds like it's a library for socialites. But they're not going to change it, so I'll tell you a secret: It's a library for normal people. Ok, by normal I mean overeducated Upper East Siders, but still, this is a friendly, accessible library in a beautiful building. Membership is expensive (minus one star), but you don't have to be a member to hang out or to use the reference section. Yes, you heard that right. For all the stuffy classicism of the facade, you can come in, plop yourself down in what looks like an English gentleman's club, and have a look at whatever you want. The staff is pleasant (although if they think we don't notice them gossiping constantly, they're not paying attention), and the collection is first-rate. New books are in the lobby for anyone to peruse, but members can walk right into the stacks (the building has a confusing system of floors and stacks, so check the charts outside the elevator). The children's collection is very good, and there's some work space available for writers. Card catalogs are online and in the front room on the first floor. Ask for a tour if you're interested. They're doing some serious renovation this summer, so they will be closed for a couple of weeks; call first. Lovely, scholarly, WASPy. And nice: They waived Washington's late fees--all $300,000 of them.

This is certainly one of the great literary fixtures of New York. It is, as the word "society" implies, a membership library. The dues should be a bargain to any literary person, but they are real, and it is for members that most of its services exist. But what pleasures there are! The Members Reading Room, with its fine ceiling, big old-fashioned windows, comfortable chairs and desks, portraits and fine china on the walls, is a delightful place to read or write (the latter with pen only!). There are private research rooms. There is a continuing program of seminars, lectures, and performances. The collection is excellent. The librarians are dear and indefatigable in tracking down what is not in the Library's own stacks. It is New York's answer to the great London Library (which it does not equal, but then nothing does). Now, to the young lady who was not made to feel entirely welcome when she tried to trespass here. This is a private space. The beautiful, quiet Members Room is not, God knows, a tourist attraction, nor does it suffice to be a warm body, or even cute, to bebop in and flop down and read. You are excused your mistake, if it was an honest one, but not your apparently snippy attitude to the poor librarian who was trying only to uphold the rule. But, to the Society Library, nothing but praise! It is my favourite institution in New York.

Someone I was working for recommended this library as a good place to read. When I walked in, a woman accosted me and said, "Can I help you?" her voice dripping with condescension. Now, I'm not like the girl in my profile pic any more (that was taken when yelp first started). Not that I would have lacked credibility even then. But even to a wide-eyed or clueless looking person, she should not have taken that tone. I said I wanted to have a look at the library and she reluctantly let me pass. When I started to sit at the table, she said "Are you here to look something up?" "No," I said, "I just thought I'd read for a few minutes." "You can't just read here. You need to be researching something." Ohh-kay. Back away from the crazy person. Now, there are actually rooms in the NYPL like this- they have keys and are pleasant places to read, but you need a note saying you need to research the special collection. I've never tried it, but perhaps knowledge of that made me hesitate as I tried to sort, in my mind, whether or not it was true that I could not sit there. My instinctive response to say, "Someone I know reads here" was checked by a part of me that feared I would sully this person's name by association with me. Good reading spots are rare and I didn't want to ruin anything for him. In retrospect, I'm sure he would have stood up for me, and not wanted to go to a place that would not also have me as a member. I just said, "Oh, ok," defaulting to (or stuck in) polite mode, and left.

Uppity crowd. Nice spot to sit for a while and kill time.

I agree the collection is excellent, the reference staff is helpful and the facilities are great for studying and writing. But they seem to cater solely to the independently wealthy. Evening and weekend hours are highly limited. In the summer there are no weekend hours at all (I think the assume everyone is off to the Hamptons)! Its hard to see how they are advancing their mission of encouraging meaningful scholarship and developing great writers with policies like this!

I became a member 2 years ago and love it. Not only for their great work space, clean, comfortable, and a terrific "stacks" of books, but for their literary events, too. The building is a historic townhouse, and does feel like Old New York inside. For someone that writes and likes literary events, this is a great library. Clean, quiet, a terrific work and study place. Their rules are a bit strict & traditional--no talking and no food or drinks at all, but that's fine. To recent comments that they cater to the "wealthy," that is very judgmental. And stereotypical. And not true. Also, having holiday hours is hardly a new thing, many schools and societies do it and it has nothing to do with how wealthy people are. With the NY Public library branches, you pretty much get what you pay for--which is nothing. Many, including branches on the UES, are dirty, without air-conditioning or good study space, and with loiterers sleeping in their bathrooms and tables. They can also be loud as people talk and get into heated arguments with the unfriendly staff. NY Society Library is such a nice alternative. Their hours are not overly long, but for writers and readers, it's a deal. IN NYC, writing rooms/spaces can run over $100 a month, NYSL membership is around $250 per year. Not expensive for what you get. A great writer's choice. Check it out before you judge.

I'm an UWS resident who comes to use this library weekly. The building itself is beautiful and it's a clean, comfy -cozy place to read, especially during the cold winter months. Someone said the membership fee was expensive, but not really for a family membership. The children's library is wonderful- great selection of books, knowledgeable librarians, cozy nooks to read and tables to sit at to do homework. There's even a living room space with couches and chairs to relax in. The members room on the second floor has a great collection of magazines and newspapers to read and relax in. On the 5th floor is a computer center and it's a no talking area, so it's great to do research /studying or paper writing. There are private rooms one can reserve to also have a quiet area to work in. The stacks in the back of the building are loaded with all kinds of books and the staff is always willing to help locate a title for you. Almost all the staff is helpful, informative and polite. There are 1-2 staff members who are rough around the edges but all places of work have 1-2 of those people. I love this library and everything it has to offer-that's why I've been a member for over 10 years!