New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the New York Public Library’s landmark research library at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. The building is known for its Beaux-Arts architecture, monumental stone lions and grand reading rooms, including the Rose Main Reading Room. As a research library, it houses collections used for scholarship and public research, while also hosting exhibitions, talks, programs and tours. Visitors can explore the building’s public spaces and learn about the library’s collections and history through NYPL programming. The Schwarzman Building is one part of the New York Public Library system, which includes circulating branches throughout the city, but its role is particularly focused on research collections and cultural programming.

A timeless symbol of knowledge and culture, the New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the 2025 winner in the Public Library category, continues to inspire generations of readers, researchers, and dreamers. Standing majestically on Fifth Avenue, this landmark institution serves as both a sanctuary for learning and a celebration of human curiosity. Beyond its grand architecture and iconic marble lions lies a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and digital archives that connect the past to the present. The library hosts exhibitions, educational programs, and community events that foster intellectual growth and inclusion. As a guardian of free access to information, the New York Public Library remains a cornerstone of literacy, creativity, and discovery for all who enter its historic halls.

From the Rose Reading room to a collection of original Winnie the Pooh soft toys, the New York Public Library- Stephen A. Schwarzman Building isn’t your run-of-the-mill library – it’s a magical place. And it all starts even before you enter the building, with the stunning architecture outside where you are greeted by the iconic lion statues that have stood guard since 1911. The grandeur extends both inside and out with more than 50 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps,and multimedia making it one of the largest public libraries in the world. You can take a tour or do research. Grab a bite to eat at the cafe and even visit their gift shop. Bonus: It’s free!

A circulating children’s library is a great resource for anyone looking to impart a love of reading to the younger crowd. It is not hard to get the kiddies to put away the smartphone or tablet computers when there are so many things to do in real life. Mozart for a toddler? A little bit of quiet reading time? Or a picture book adventure to the Seven Seas? They are all possible during any trip to the New York Public Library’s top child destination. While much has changed about city life in recent decades, one thing remains the same: libraries are a place where children can really get down to learning the art of imagination – a skill that can serve them well long after they move into the adult section.