{"id":2079,"date":"2023-04-11T09:32:27","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T13:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/?p=2079"},"modified":"2023-04-11T09:32:28","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T13:32:28","slug":"millions-of-books-underground-the-history-of-the-new-york-public-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/eternal\/millions-of-books-underground-the-history-of-the-new-york-public-library-2079","title":{"rendered":"Millions of Books Underground: The History of the New York Public Library"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The New York Public Library is one of the largest in the world. It stores a huge collection of books revealing amazing facts and stories of the past and present. They conquered millions of readers\u2019 hearts, influenced the course of events and reflected changes in the world. For several centuries, the public library building has been a repository of American literary heritage. Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/\">newyork1<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e2897a720e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e2897a720e\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/eternal\/millions-of-books-underground-the-history-of-the-new-york-public-library-2079\/#How_did_one_of_the_worlds_largest_libraries_emerge_in_New_York\" >How did one of the world\u2019s largest libraries emerge in New York?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/eternal\/millions-of-books-underground-the-history-of-the-new-york-public-library-2079\/#What_secrets_does_the_New_York_Public_Library_keep\" >What secrets does the New York Public Library keep?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/eternal\/millions-of-books-underground-the-history-of-the-new-york-public-library-2079\/#7_underground_floors\" >7 underground floors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/eternal\/millions-of-books-underground-the-history-of-the-new-york-public-library-2079\/#Two_marble_lions_at_the_library_entrance_are_symbols_of_patience_and_strength\" >Two marble lions at the library entrance are symbols of patience and strength<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/eternal\/millions-of-books-underground-the-history-of-the-new-york-public-library-2079\/#Rare_manuscripts\" >Rare manuscripts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_did_one_of_the_worlds_largest_libraries_emerge_in_New_York\"><\/span>How did one of the world\u2019s largest libraries emerge in New York?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea of this sociocultural building belongs to the former Governor of New York, Samuel J. Tilden. After his death, it was found in his will that he left $400,000 for the construction and maintenance of a public library with free reading rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 19th century, there were two private libraries in the city, which belonged to millionaires James Lenox and Jacob Astor. The latter was one of the wealthiest people in the USA at that time. His scientific and reference library housed a collection of rare and valuable publications.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both libraries faced financial difficulties in 1892. Thus, John Bigelow, Samuel Tilden\u2019s lawyer, aimed to merge them into a single literary system. His project received positive feedback and was approved for further implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1902, the construction of the Public Library began in Manhattan. As well as Samuel Tilden, an entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie also financed the building. He donated $5 million for the construction of library branches in other areas of New York, such as Staten Island, the Bronx, Brooklyn and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The New York government chose a huge plot on Fifth Avenue, the most prestigious street, for the construction of the Public Library. According to John Bigelow\u2019s design idea, it had to be the largest marble edifice in the United States at that time. Its construction lasted for 8 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The library was opened to visitors in 1911. More than 75 miles of shelves for several million books were installed inside before such a solemn event. About 30,000-50,000 people visited the library on the opening day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_secrets_does_the_New_York_Public_Library_keep\"><\/span>What secrets does the New York Public Library keep?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_underground_floors\"><\/span>7 underground floors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a book repository with more than 80 miles of seven-level racks under the foundation of the building, which was built during the construction of the library. They store more than 500,000 books on history, culture, religion, art and other spheres as well as rare manuscripts, documents and artifacts of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.newyork1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/img_64260607040ce.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Two_marble_lions_at_the_library_entrance_are_symbols_of_patience_and_strength\"><\/span>Two marble lions at the library entrance are symbols of patience and strength<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, two marble lions were placed on either side of the stairs in the process of the New York Public Library construction. They were made by Daniel Cheater French and Henry Bacon, the sculptors who also created the legendary Lincoln Statue in Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the mayor of New York, it was important to show <em>patience and strength<\/em> during the difficult times of the Great Depression. So, those words were chosen as lions\u2019 names to support people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rare_manuscripts\"><\/span>Rare manuscripts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The New York Public Library stores more than 20 million books, including many valuable manuscripts. For example, Christopher Columbus&#8217; letter about geographical discoveries and voyages and the handwritten copy of the US Declaration of Independence, which was signed in 1776. But the oldest rarity in this library is the Gutenberg Bible, which was printed in the mid-15th century and considered the start-point of European printing. Thus, the Public Library is an amazing place for reading and a popular tourist attraction in New York.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The New York Public Library is one of the largest in the world. It stores a huge collection of books revealing amazing facts and stories of the past and present. They conquered millions of readers\u2019 hearts, influenced the course of events and reflected changes in the world. For several centuries, the public library building has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":323,"featured_media":1941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1166],"tags":[1457,1456,1455,1459,1454,1452,1458,1460,1453,1451],"moimportance":[78,81],"motype":[1158],"moformat":[83],"class_list":{"0":"post-2079","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-education","8":"tag-7-underground-floors","9":"tag-a-popular-tourist-attraction-in-new-york","10":"tag-declaration-of-independence","11":"tag-how-did-one-of-the-worlds-largest-libraries-emerge-in-new-york","12":"tag-many-valuable-manuscripts","13":"tag-rare-manuscripts","14":"tag-the-library-was-opened-to-visitors-in-1911","15":"tag-the-new-york-public-library-is-one-of-the-largest-in-the-world","16":"tag-the-new-york-public-library-stores-more-than-20-million-books","17":"tag-two-marble-lions-at-the-library-entrance-are-symbols-of-patience-and-strength","18":"moimportance-golovna-novina","19":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","20":"motype-eternal","21":"moformat-vlasna"},"modified_by":"Inna Hananova","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/323"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2079"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2079\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2080,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2079\/revisions\/2080"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2079"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=2079"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=2079"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newyork1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=2079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}