Stephen A. Schwarzman Building > Collections & Reading Rooms > Children's Center at 42nd Street

Collection Description

November 2008 marked the return of a circulating children’s library to The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. The Children’s Center at 42nd Street continues NYPL's tradition as a national leader in children's services. The collection offers a wealth of circulating materials for children of all ages, and for adults with an interest in children’s literature, music, and media. The collection, services, and facilities include:

—A well-rounded selection of informational books targeted to children’s educational and curricular needs.

—Generous collections of picture book stories for sharing with younger readers, easy storybooks for newly independent readers, and novels for readers up to age twelve.

—Collections of musical CDs, books on CD, video games, and DVDs for children.

—Eight PC stations with internet access, available by appointment and reserved for use by children twelve and under.

—A flat screen cable TV with gaming equipment for special programs.

—Trained professional children’s librarians always on hand to help patrons of all ages to navigate NYPL catalogs and other resources.

The Children’s Center at 42nd Street will feature on-going public programs for young people and their families. From intimate readings to large-scale events, programming will include storytelling, musical and theatrical performances, spoken word performances, and guest appearances by authors and illustrators. The Children’s Center at 42nd Street will be a "go to" destination for kids from toddlers to age 12, as well as their parents and caregivers.

Class and group tours, special assistance with assignments, and visits for other purposes can be arranged by calling the Children’s Center at 212-621-0208, the Education Outreach Office at 212-930-0086, or emailing EducationOutreach@nypl.org.

The Children's Center at 42nd Street is located just inside the Library's 42nd Street entrance between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Hours: Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tue & Wed: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sun: 1 to 5 p.m.

View a slideshow of a special two-day Family Festival that celebrated the center's opening.

Support for the Children's Center at 42nd Street has been provided by The Winston Foundation.