Discover the flagship building of The New York Public Library—one of the world’s great libraries.
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the "people’s palace," created for everyone to access and explore. Visitors come here to find a quiet place to read, do research, learn from our historic collections, look into their family history, tour exhibitions, join public events, enjoy the building’s art and architecture—and much more.
Explore the Building: Download a Map | Descargue un mapa | 在此处下载大楼地图
Listen to the Self-Guided Audio Tour: English | Español | 普通话 | Accessible Tour (with Verbal Descriptions)
Start your journey at the Library’s Visitor Center.
Discover everything our new Visitor Center has to offer, including digital and tactile displays featuring interactive exhibits about the Library's legacy, collection items, maps, and more. Plus: find a coat check and join in-person tours at the Visitor Center.
Highlights at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
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New! Free Audio Tour & Digital Guide on the Bloomberg Connects App
Download Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app, and take a self-guided tour on your mobile device to explore the history, architecture, and services offered at our Fifth Avenue locations.
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Accessible Visitor Center Guide
Discover the Library's new Visitor Center with this guide featuring descriptions of the exhibits, tactile displays, and more.
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Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures
This exhibition 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.
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In-Person Guided Tours
The Library's docent-led tours are an excellent way to see highlights of the Schwarzman Building. Our official tours are also the only way to get group access to many of the Library’s must-see spaces—including the historic Rose Main Reading Room. Meet for your tour in the Visitor Center.
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.
Explore the Visitor Center with our accessible guide, featuring descriptive text.
If you require an additional accommodation onsite, 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.