The New York Society Library

"new york society library" is a false, incredibly misleading title, as this is not a library for the public! it is a social club. it is not inclusive of the city, just the upper class neighborhood it manages to exploit by charging for library access. this center masquerades as a resource. if they were a library, they would have space and services for non members to enjoy. they pick and choose times to allow lowly city folks into their palace. if you doubt it, please go ask them if you can just read there. they will say no unless you are a PAID member. please keep in mind, the lowest price to pay monthly is 100$. that does not even include building access! every single part of this is extortionate. and god forbid children try to read for free in a library on their own street. at the very least, they offer SOME of their events to the public. overall, shameful.

This is NOT public, do not be misled. I don't know what the other reviews were about but from what I could glimpse there's only one reference room allegedly for public access and it is apparently undergoing renovation rn. Everything else in the building is member only. Now this would be less annoying if they had at least put up a sign outside that says this so non members don't have to go in only to be told that "public" access is not public. The ppl at the front desk were not particularly friendly either and I got the sense that they didn't like having some random non member unwilling to pay $100 a year bothering them, as they kept telling me about the actual New York public library and about the $100 membership. If the only public part of the building is unavailable the least one could do is put up a sign at the front door informing this instead of a sign that makes it look like there are still public access. Overall, disappointing. Not worth the trip.

It is a nice spot... But it really is upscale and not meant for people like you and me (brown). That is unless you are swimming in $$$ I felt very much out of place here and maybe that is a good thing. I’m sure they have lovely books, all the best books, but people only seem to go here to study. I did not see anyone in the actual stacks enjoying the books. I’m a little sour on this spot because i thought it would be a hidden gem but very much like the rest of New York City there is no such thing. If i was rich I would just buy books and make my own library instead of getting a membership to this stuffy place. On the flip side, have you been to an actual Nyc Library lately? It is full of wonderful people and great books.