December 11, 2006
In the stacks at the New York Public Library
 The New York Public Library on Sunday held its annual Holiday Open House, the only time of the year the public can get into the "stacks."
Normally to get a look at most books in the NYPL's main branch, the Humanities & Social Sciences Library, you need to fill out a request slip, which travels down to the librarians in the stacks (which actually stretch out under Bryant Park,) who send the required books back upstairs.
Sunday's event wasn't exactly "public" as it was only open to Friends of the Library -- basically anyone who contributes at least $40. And access to the stacks tours was limited to first-come, first-served basis.
 But once in, it offers a glimpse into the past -- including wooden card catalogs, the book dumbwaiter, posted library rules from 1921, shelves of newspapers awaiting transfer to microfilm, and a bit of graffiti, including "up yours" written in the dust on the ceiling. When still above ground, you can look out to the ice skaters in Bryant Park, or look down at the floor slots at the edges of the bookshelves and see several more stories of books below.
The library itself, located on the site of the former Croton Reservoir between 40th and 42nd streets and Fifth and Six avenues, has been open to the public since May 24, 1911.
In the original "Ghostbusters" movie, the first haunting is set in the library's stacks. But according to the NYPL website, those stacks scenes were actually filmed at the Los Angeles Public Library.
More pictures after the jump.
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Library map rooms to reopen after $5 mln renovation
Sotheby's to auction NYPL's Stuarts, and then some
Public Library to sell art to buy 'important books'
Landmark Public Library location to open Sundays
December 11, 2006 09:55 AM in Architecture, History, Midtown, Sightsology, Tours
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