331 East 10th Street
New York, NY 10009
212-228-4747
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11 AM–7 PM
Regular Hours
Day Hours
Monday 11 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–7 PM
Thursday 11 AM–7 PM
Friday 10 AM–6 PM
Saturday 10 AM–5 PM
Sunday CLOSED
2024 Holiday Closings
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Discover all the Library has to offer! Visit your local branch for books, Wi-Fi, computers, classes, stimulating and entertaining programs, and much more for all ages. 

Did you know? The Library no longer charges late fines! Find out more and plan your visit. 

Please note: 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.

You’re Invited! Teen Center Grand Opening Party

Party invitation graphic advertises pizza, gaming, and 3-D printing in colorful text on a purple background.

Fri, May 31 | 3–5 PM

Calling all teens! Join us for pizza, try out your design and button-making skills, give our 3-D printer and gaming equipment a whirl, and more at the grand opening of Tompkins Square Library's expanded Teen Center. (Sshh… there’s a secret gift for all attendees!) Register now.

New! Teen Center at Tompkins Square Library

Interior of the West New Brighton Library Teen Center, featuring bookshelves, work tables, a 3-D printer, and a colorful wall mural.

Check out digital resources, tech equipment, art materials, and more at our newly expanded Teen Center. Lead support for Teens 360º is provided by the City of New York. Learn more.

Request a Class Visit or Group Tour

Learn more about the Library’s wide array of free resources, classes, events, and more! Book an in-person or virtual class visit or group tour now.

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Featured at Tompkins Square Library

  • Free Homework Help: NYPL After School

    NYPL After School at Tompkins Square Library is a free drop-in program for kids aged 6–12 that takes place after regular school hours, Mondays through Thursdays, from 3-6 PM. Join us for homework help from one of our tutors or Teen Reading Ambassadors, reading recommendations, fun writing, STEAM, and enrichment activities! No need to register—just show up! Everything is free. Audience: Children, School Age (5-12 years)

    More about this program
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  • Free English Classes

    The New York Public Library offers free English language instruction for adults, with ESOL classes offered online or in-person, and in-person literacy classes. Currently available at nine sites in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, including Tompkins Square. For more information, call 212-714-8420.

    Free English Classes
    Free English Classes

  • STEAM Discovery Kits

    Build, code, and stargaze with STEAM Discovery Kits! Available to borrow from Tompkins Square and select other branches, these multimedia kits introduce kids and tweens to robotics, astronomy, engineering, coding, and more. Click for more information.

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  • Get Event Updates for Tompkins Square Library

    Sign up to get updates and information about events and more at your local branch.

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More Library Resources

  • E-Books & E-Audiobooks

    Explore e-books and e-audiobooks available for free from NYPL—from children's books to bestsellers.

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  • Additional E-Materials & Databases

    Discover bestselling magazines, world newspapers, streaming classical and world music, and more from home with your library card.

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  • Digital Collections

    Search thousands of digitized items, including historic prints, photographs, maps, and manuscripts.

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  • From Our Blog

    Check out explorations on a wide array of topics, programs, and services across the Library.

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About the Library

Interior view of Tompkins Square

The Tompkins Square Branch of The New York Public Library has been serving residents of Manhattan's Lower East Side since 1904. Opening in 1887 as the Fifth Street Branch of the Aguilar Free Library, the branch relocated three times before moving to its present site facing Tompkins Square Park. Traditionally, Tompkins Square has served varied ethnic populations, including German, Italian, Jewish, Polish, and Ukrainian, and, since the 1960s, a thriving arts community.

Learn more about this location Learn about capital construction projects at this location