The Central Libraries > Mid-Manhattan Library > Services

Services

Services at Mid-Manhattan Library

Looking for a service that isn't here? See the NYPL Services page, or call Telephone Reference at 212-930-0830 for referral to a branch that can help you.

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  • Call 212-930-0830
    We take calls Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
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Internet Services

48 computers for free public use are available on the 4th floor for internet access, email, web searching, library databases, resume writing, and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Users are limited to one 45-minute session per day. Reservations may be made in person on the 4th floor or online: Reserve a PC.

Laser printers are available for printing in black and white. Users may print ten pages free per day, and then pay 10 cents per additional page. Users may also download to their own flash drives. Floppy disk drives are not available on any of the computers.

Free wireless access is also available on the 4th floor for users with their own wireless-enabled laptop computers. You will need a WiFi-compliant 802.11b wireless Ethernet device installed in your laptop or a laptop with built-in WiFi capability.

Shelf Checks & Reserves

A shelf check can be performed for an item that is currently on the shelf. Call us during library hours and, if the item is available, we can hold it for you to pick up, or we can send it to the branch of your choice in Manhattan, the Bronx or Staten Island.

Please note that for items on the 1st floor, we can check the shelves only before 12:00 noon. For a reference book, we can verify that it is on shelf, but we cannot set it aside.

If a circulating item is not currently on shelf or is located at another NYPL branch library, you may place a reserve on the item using the Library Catalog. For a basic tutorial on using the Library Catalog, click on "Help" at the top right corner of the catalog screen. Once you have found the item that you want, the Library Catalog displays a list of branch libraries that own the item. Click on "Request Item" to begin the reserve process.

You will be prompted to enter your library card number and your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number unless you specified a different number when you registered for your NYPL card. (If you're unsure of your PIN, call your local branch or call the Mid-Manhattan Library's Registration Desk, 212-576-0015).

The Library Catalog will then display the Request Confirmation page. Choose a pickup location from the drop-down list, and then click on "Request" to place the reserve. You will be notified by mail or email (if we have your email address on record) when the item is available for pickup.

Access to Books Not at NYPL

There are two ways NYPL card holders can use books that are not available at The New York Public Library: METRO referral cards and interlibrary loan.

METRO referral cards provide one-time access to many academic, school, public and special libraries throughout New York City and Westchester County for use of a particular book not at NYPL. If you are unable to locate an item in the Library Catalog, please see a librarian. Bring all citation details with you. Librarians at Mid-Manhattan and other large libraries of NYPL can issue METRO cards referring users to participating METRO libraries.

Interlibrary Loan provides access to library materials that are not available in the New York metropolitan area through agreements with libraries throughout the country, and which have been published for no fewer than 12 months before the date of your request.

To get an interlibrary loan, first check the Library Catalog to see if the Library owns the particular item. If there are no copies listed in the catalogs, please see a librarian at a reference desk. Bring all citation details with you. Librarians will assist you in interlibrary loan procedures, or if you would like to try our online form for articles which can be delivered electronically, or for loans, please click here. Some material may only be available for use in a research center.

When filling out the interlibrary loan request form, please provide whatever bibliographic information you have, i.e., author, title, edition or date of publication--if getting a particular edition is of importance to you--and publisher. If used, submit the completed paper form at the circulations desk on the 1st floor.

The New York Public Library will locate a library owning the item and, provided it is something which that library is willing to lend, will obtain it and notify you. Circulating materials obtained through interlibrary loan can be checked out for two weeks only and cannot be renewed.

Services for Persons with Disabilities

Located on the 2nd floor, Accessibility Services provides personalized assistance and specialized equipment to give people with disabilities easy access to the full range of library materials at the Mid-Manhattan Library.

Our assistive technology includes:

  • A Reading Edge machine which converts print materials into synthetic speech. It reads books, newspapers, and magazines in English, French, and Spanish.
  • A Perkins Braille typewriter.
  • Closed-Circuit Television Enlargers which magnify print up to 60 times in either color or in black and white.
  • Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), also known as text telephones (TTY), which can be borrowed from the library.
  • JAWS - A computer screen reader with multi-lingual speech synthesizer.
  • MAGIC - Combines a magnification feature with low-vision screen reading that can work simultaneously with JAWS to read text.
  • LifeLinks - Realtime sign interpreter for the deaf via videophone.
  • A photocopier with enlarging capabilities.

We also offer a growing collection of circulating print and non-print materials as well as a collection of reference materials on disability-related issues, products, and services.

For more information, call Accessibility Services at 212-340-0843 (voice) or 212-340-0931 (TDD) during library hours.

Library services for persons with disabilities are also available at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library along with large circulating collections of special format materials.

Picture Collection

Located on the 3rd floor, the Picture Collection is a visual resource comprised of one million illustrations from books, newspapers, and magazines as well as photographs, prints, and postcards. Most items are available for borrowing with a valid New York Pubic Library card. For questions about the Picture Collection, e-mail us at mmpic at nypl dot org

Over 32,000 images from the Picture Collection's reference collection have been digitized and may be searched or browsed online. They are available for viewing or ordering from the NYPL Digital Gallery.

Please also consult the Picture Collection's subject listing for subjects covered in the paper files.

Resources for Teachers

To arrange a class visit to the Mid-Manhattan Library for students in the 10th grade or above, please fill out the Class Visit form. Class visits consist of a demonstration of the library catalog and databases (including many which can be used from home or school computers), and a tour of the subject area. We cannot accommodate more than 60 students at a time and recommend no more than 30.

Teachers may also wish to consult Education librarians for resources on the history, philosophy, psychology, sociology and statistics of education and for test preparation materials. Also please see our Research Guides on education topics.

Health Info

Use our Health Information web site to find information on diseases, drugs and doctors.

Health Information Document Delivery

We provide a document delivery service for health and medical journal articles for non-commercial use only. The non-refundable fee is $1.00 per article, with a limit of 10 articles per request. Requests should be made in person at the Health Information Center on the 2nd floor.

SCORE Small Business Consultations

Get free business advice from the Service Corps of Retired Executives. SCORE counselors help prospective and established small business owners and managers identify problems and find solutions. Consultations are available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 3rd floor in the Literature and Language area.

Call 212-340-0872 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11-7, for an appointment. At other times, please call 212-340-0871 during library hours to schedule an appointment. Walk-in consultations are also accepted.