Found 116 collections.

In 1895, the Astor Library and the Lenox Library were consolidated with the Tilden Trust to form the New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations. The Astor Library was a public reference library begun in 1839 and incorporated ten years later under the will of John Jacob Astor (1763-1848). The Lenox Library, founded in 1870, was made up of the collections of rare books and manuscripts, especially Bibles, early printing, Americana, and voyages and travels formed by James Lenox (1800-1880). To this was added a $2 million endowment and 15,000 volumes from the trust of political leader Samuel J. Tilden (1814-1886). While the New York Public Library is a private corporation its charter stipulates it to be both free and open to all. The Library is organized into 4 groups: the Board of Trustees, Central Administration, Research Libraries, and Branch Libraries. The directors of both the Research and Branch Libraries report to the Central Administration which is headed by the Director of the Library who reports to the President and the Board of Trustees. After consolidation, both the Astor and Lenox Libraries continued to operate separately until the opening of the Central Building in 1911. Initially, John Shaw Billings (the Library's first Director) handled many of the functions which would become the responsibility of the director of the Research Libraries. Between 1901 and 1906, 14 already extant free circulating libraries (including the Aguilar Free Library, Cathedral Library, and the New York Free Circulating Library) were united to form the nucleus of the branch libraries. Andrew Carnegie's 1901 gift established the financial foundation of the branch system which serves three of the five New York City Boroughs: the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. NYPL Archives Record Group 12 contains artifacts and memorabilia that document NYPL activities, programs and special events. Materials include Library signage, promotional buttons, artifacts of the construction of The Library's Central Building and a variety of commemorative objects such as medals and plaques. less

The Jefferson Market Branch of The New York Public Library, located in Greenwich Village, opened in 1967. The library occupies a New York City landmark building designed by architects Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux and was constructed during the years 1875-1876. It served as a courthouse from 1876-1945 and housed various city agencies from 1946-1958. Community members, led by Margot Gayle and Philip Wittenberg, rallied to save the building from demolition. In 1961 Mayor Robert F. Wagner announced that it would be preserved and converted into a public library. The redesign was by architect Giorgio Cavaglieri. Reports, administrative records and publicity materials documenting operations of the Jefferson Market Branch of The New York Public Library. less

The Jackson Square Branch of The New York Public Library originated in 1888 as a branch of The New York Free Circulating Library, which merged with NYPL in 1901. George W. Vanderbilt provided funds to build and furnish the Jackson Square building at 251 West 13th Street in Manhattan. The architect was Richard Morris Hunt, who had also designed the Lenox Library. Throughout its history the branch counted a large number of writers, artists and theater people among its users. During the 1940s the branch built up its Spanish language book collection to meet the needs of a growing Hispanic population. The Jackson Square Branch was closed in 1967, and many of its services were transferred to the nearby Jefferson Market Branch. Administrative records and news clippings documenting operations of the Jackson Square Branch of The New York Public Library. less

The Grand Concourse Branch of The New York Public Library, located on 173rd Street in the Bronx, opened in 1958. Reports, administrative records and publicity material documenting the operations of the Grand Concourse Branch of The New York Public Library. less

The Great Kills Branch of The New York Public Library originated as a small "sub-branch", with limited hours and collections, in 1925. In 1954 it was expanded into a branch and moved into its current building on Giffords Lane in Staten Island. Reports, administrative records and publicity material documenting operations of the Great Kills Branch of The New York Public Library. less

The High Bridge Branch of The New York Public Library originated in 1901 as the High Bridge Free Library. In 1908 it was incorporated into The New York Public Library and moved to its present location at West 168th Street between Woodycrest and Shakespeare Avenues. In 1975, the original building was demolished and rebuilt, and the library reopened to the public on October 25, 1976. Reports, administrative records and publicity material documenting operations of the High Bridge Branch of The New York Public Library. less

The Hudson Park Branch of The New York Public Library opened in 1906 in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. The library building was designed by the architectural firm of Carrere and Hastings, and was constructed with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. Reports, publicity material and administrative records documenting the operations of the Hudson Park Branch of The New York Public Library. less

The Hamilton grange Branch of The New York Public Library opened in 1907 on West 145th Street in upper Manhattan. Designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White in the style of an Italian palazzo, the library was constructed with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. Declared a landmark in 1970, the branch today houses a variety of collections that serve an ethnically diverse community. Reports, administrative records and publicity material documenting operations of the Hamilton Grange Branch of The New York Public Library. less

The Harlem Branch of The New York Public Library, located on West 124th Street in Manhattan, originated in 1825 as the Harlem Library. This institution merged with NYPL in 1903. The current branch building, opened in 1909, was designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White and was constructed with funds provided by Andrew Carnegie. The library was fully renovated in 2004. Publicity materials and correspondence documenting operations of Harlem Branch of The New York Public Library. less

Richard De Gennaro (1926-) was Director of the New York Public Library from 1987 to 1990, at which time he assumed the position of Librarian of Harvard College. Prior to his appointment at N.Y.P.L., he had held senior library positions at Harvard and was the Director of Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania from 1970 to 1986. Records consist of De Gennaro's chronological file, 1987-1990; material on the FBI Library Awareness Program, 1987-1988; and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), 1987-1990. less