The New York Society Library, founded in 1754, is the city's oldest library and a thriving community of readers, writers, and families. The Library is open to the public for reading, reference, exhibitions, and many events, with membership providing book circulation and use of reading/study spaces. Our landmark home on 79th Street and Madison Avenue was built as an Italianate townhouse around 1918 and has housed the Library since 1937. Many of the building's spaces retain the architectural charm of the original townhouse and display our eclectic art holdings as well as our 300,000-volume print book collection and our current exhibition, FABULOUS FASHION.

On OHNY Weekend, tour participants will explore some behind-the-scenes areas of the library not generally accessible to the public.

The Library itself is wheelchair-accessible for regular use, but this tour will go into some behind-the-scenes spaces that involve a very few ascending stairs, some descending stairs, and some narrow entrances.

The pace is slow and easy and the building is quiet. There are some opportunities to sit down briefly during the tour.

The Library itself is also kid-friendly, but this tour is aimed at adults (although not inappropriate for children).