THE NEW YORK SOCIETY LIBRARY
Founded 1754

ABOUT THE LIBRARY:

The New York Society Library, the oldest in the city, was founded in 1754 by the New York Society, a civic-minded group formed in the belief that the availability of books would help the city to prosper. A subscription library, it now contains nearly three hundred thousand volumes, reflecting the reading and scholarly interests of its member over the last 256 years.

Although this is primarily a library for the general reader, it has considerable potential for research. Holdings may be searched using the Library's catalog, children's catalog, or card catalogs. Members may borrow books and have the use of several reading and study rooms on the upper floors; they can also browse in the stacks. Non-members are invited without charge to use the ground floor for reading and reference.

The Library is a not-for-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation supported primarily by membership fees, tax-deductible contributions, bequests and income from its endowment. Please make a donation to this year's Annual Appeal, which provides crucial support for the Library's day-to-day operations.