New York Society Library
librarySubscription library and New York City's oldest cultural institution, founded in 1754 and housed since 1937 in the former John S. Rogers Mansion. Open for reading and reference, it offers membership lending, events, and notable special collections and research resources.
Upcoming Events (18)
Gothic Secrets: Witch Trials
Join a literature reading at the New York Society Library for a gothic thriller by the author of The Bequest, as a grieving archivist uncovers a link between disappearances and a town’s witch-trial history.
Willa Cather Seminar with Jane Mallison
Join Jane Mallison for a scholarly seminar at the New York Society Library exploring Willa Cather’s life and major works—from My Ántonia to Death Comes for the Archbishop—through Red Cloud and New York years. A focused discussion ideal for literature lovers.
What is Acting? Discussion with Yionoulis, Connington & Carlos
Join Yale School of Drama faculty Evan Yionoulis, Ron Carlos, and Bill Connington for a lively discussion on acting technique, embodiment, and the humanity at the heart of performance. They explore listening, inclusive speechwork, and the Alexander Technique as pathways to authentic acting.
Writing Life Workshop: Folklore Retellings with E.S. McLeod
Join the New York Society Library for a Writing Life Workshop with E.S. McLeod as she explores folklore retellings, fairy tales and classical myths, guiding writers on selecting sources and crafting imaginative, respectful retellings.
My America: Langston Hughes on Democracy
Renowned scholar Randal Maurice Jelks examines Langston Hughes’s democratic vision, showing how poetry and Harlem Renaissance ideals illuminate art as resistance and democracy today at the New York Society Library.
Poetry Café: Ode & Celebration Poems with Ellen Hagan & David Flores
Join poets Ellen Hagan and David Flores for a kid-friendly Poetry Café at the New York Society Library, a poetry-writing workshop where young readers explore ode and celebration poems in a welcoming, library setting.
Le Conversazioni: An Evening with Katie Kitamura
An intellectually rich literary evening at the New York Society Library as novelist Katie Kitamura (author of the Booker Prize-shortlisted Audition) discusses forgotten cinema with Antonio Monda and screens select clips.
Uptown at Night: An Evening of Comedy and Humorous Storytelling
An intimate evening at the New York Society Library's Members’ Room featuring Bruce Handy, Ledia Xhoga, Ike Ufomadu, and Alexandra Petri with host Sydney LeBlanc and Brian Fitzsousa on keyboard. Expect witty, humorous storytelling in a sophisticated library setting, with wine and light refreshments. A vibrant, literary night of stand-up-style comedy in NYC.
The New York City Book Awards Ceremony 2026
New York Society Library hosts the NYC Book Awards Ceremony to honor the best books about New York City published in 2025. The evening features a reception and formal award presentations to the winning authors in an intimate library setting.
Let's Read Shakespeare for Fun
Monthly, informal gathering at the New York Society Library to read aloud a Shakespeare play. Open to beginners and seasoned readers alike, this relaxed meetup invites Bard lovers to share in a social, literary experience.
Closing: Memorial Day Weekend 2026
The New York Society Library will close for Memorial Day weekend from May 23 to May 25, pausing access to collections and services as staff observe the holiday; members and visitors should plan around the three-day closure.
Closing: Juneteenth 2026
The New York Society Library closes on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth, inviting patrons to reflect on freedom and history as the historic library pauses services for the holiday.
Closing: Independence Day 2026
The New York Society Library closes for Independence Day on July 4, 2026. This all-day closure marks the public holiday at this historic New York City library, guiding patrons to plan around the brief pause.
Closing: Labor Day Weekend 2026
New York Society Library will be closed for Labor Day weekend from September 5 to 7, 2026, with no public access on those days. Plan ahead for a holiday closure as the library observes the long weekend.
Library Closing: Italian American Heritage Day & Indigenous Peoples Day
On Oct 12, 2026, the New York Society Library closes for Italian American Heritage Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, inviting reflection on two rich histories as this iconic NYC library observes the day with an all-day closure.
Special Hours: Thanksgiving 2026
The New York Society Library announces Thanksgiving 2026 hours, outlining altered opening and closing times for the holiday. Plan visits to its historic reading rooms and curated collections in Manhattan around this seasonal schedule.
Special Hours: Christmas 2026
The New York Society Library hosts a special Christmas 2026 schedule, offering extended hours on Christmas Eve in a quiet, book-filled setting. Explore historic rooms, peruse rare volumes, and enjoy a festive, literary atmosphere for visitors of all ages.
Closing: Christmas 2026
Holiday hours announced by the New York Society Library for Christmas 2026, noting a special closure on Christmas Day at the historic Manhattan venue and adjusted access during the holiday period. Plan around a quiet, festive library visit.