On a most beautiful spring day, I spent several hours at the New York City Public Library. There were three books I absolutely had to look at, and I knew they were there because I had checked their card catalog. Once there at the library, I went immediately to the Milstein Division (history and genealogy section), on the first floor. See post about two previous (interesting visits) I was there, HERE. Photos below show the open stacks and no library card is needed. However, I needed one because I wanted books in the closed stack area. I applied for it and received it almost immediately. For the books I wanted, I had to fill out a request form for each book. An employee retrieved them and I was looking at them within minutes.
NYC Public Library, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street
Milstein Division (history and genealogy section)
The Rose Reading Room, where non-genealogists go (above and below).
Picking up requested books to look at on-site.
If you want to make copies, which I did, (60 at .15 each) you'll need to buy a copy card. I was very fortunate, since I was able to make them all at the same time, no line, and used the only one copy machine. I shutter to think if there were lots of people needing copies.
As indicated in my photos, it was a very quiet afternoon in the genealogy section, and only two people were in the microfilm room, located a few doors away! The next time I go, I intend to visit the Manuscripts and Archive Room, to see if I can find anything about one of the earliest families in Amsterdam / New York City, my Ten Eyck ancestors. That's a real goal of mine.
7 comments:
Lovely photos! I envy you your trip! I have some research that I'd like to do at the NYPL, maybe this summer. I'm happy to know about your positive experience!
Wow, that looks like fun! Were there many books available for browsing in genealogy (all the ones I can see in the Milstein Division photo??) or did most of them have to come out by request?
I am very envious! And your photos are lovely.
Thanks Cindy and Diane for your comments. I was at desk #2 (nearest the camera), so there were two double rows of books on my left. Now sure about the ones on top, didn't see anybody up there. The books by request are behind the scene, in a closed room. The librarians and copy machine were behind desk #1.
Beautiful photos, beautiful place to research. Sounds like you did real good! Congrats!
What a fun excursion! Love the photos!!
Lovely on every level. So glad you shared this. I haven't been there since my college days (and can't imagine when or if I'll get there again). It is an extraordinarily beautiful facility.
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