The New York Public Library is chartered to serve three of the five NYC boroughs (Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island), plus anyone who lives, works, goes to school or pays property tax in New York State is eligible for a NYPL Card
As all New York Public Library locations are currently closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all Library Card Web Applications cannot be processed, however New York residents can still access an array of digital content via the SimplyE App. It is GPS sensitive so you need to be within New York State to utilize it.
The NYPL was granted it’s Charter by the NYS Board of Regents in May 23, 1895 after the Astor, Lenox & Tilden Foundations were combined into a single entity and chartered by NYS.
The NYPL has 88 Branch Locations and four Research Libraries: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building; NYPL for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center; Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL)
As part of The New York Public Library’s gradual reopening following our temporary closure due to COVID-19, we are pleased to announce that we are now offering Grab and Go service at 50 of our branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Grab and Go is a contactless checkout and return service that allows patrons to pick up requested materials and return items at these open locations while maintaining a safe distance from each other and staff. Please note that our open branches are available for holds pick ups and returns only. At this time, we are not able to offer book browsing, public computer usage, public programs, or use of restrooms.
Check out the steps below to learn more about using the Grab and Go services. For more details, including finding your library card number, instructions on the hold process, or anything else, check out our FAQ.
More Information: Location Directory - The New York Public Library has begun the gradual reopening of our physical locations, starting with limited grab-and-go service at select branch locations. We hope to reopen more locations soon. Search all of our locations throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Browse the full list of current Grab and Go locations. URL https://www.nypl.org/about/grab-and-go
As part of New York City’s reopening, NYPL is continuing the careful, phased process of returning limited service to its physical locations after temporarily closing due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Discover the Library's wide range of digital resources — including e-books, databases, our Digital Collections, and more.