Memories of the New York Public Library

My 2014 trip to the United States also included a trip to a place I have only read about in architecture books or watched in movies: the New York Public Library. Whether seeing it in Spiderman 3 or Ghostbusters, it was a surreal experience to be actually standing in a place that before that point was only a place I can only imagine seeing in person. Architecturally, it was designed in the beaux-arts style, presenting a very grand and regal approach to buildings constructed for serving the public of New York.

This was the day that I often call in my head as my “Book Finding Day,” as I went to three book-related locations for the trip: the New York Public Library, a Books Kinukuniya beside it, and a Barnes & Nobles that was also nearby.

The Lion of the library is by itself a tourist attraction

All of them were located in and around Bryant Park, one of the best green spaces I experienced in New York City. Bryant Park was vibrant that day, teeming with New Yorkers enjoying the summer sunshine. I bought some street cart chicken to eat for lunch and basked in the sights and sounds of the park.

Various sites and statues in bryant park

I remember distinctly the table tennis area, with a large crowd of players and watchers just going at it and having a good time. I often wished that the Philippines had larger green spaces like Bryant Park; it is difficult to find such open spaces in Manila, what with all the rains, limited space, and different priorities of the people who can build such places.

I eventually went into the library to see the interiors, and it did not disappoint. The high ceilings and intricate details lent a feeling of openness and knowledge to the space. Public spaces should be designed with these sensibilities in my opinion; the grandness and visual experience of the place should be in the service of letting the visitors feel like they are a part of something bigger, not to belittle them, but to encourage them to join in the activities that the space provides.

Views of the interiors of the library

When I was there, the Library was hosting an exhibition of children’s books, and I found it very endearing to see that some of the books exhibited were the little golden books that were also a part of my childhood. Examples of other popular books were part of the exhibit, as well as an exploration of more “serious” books involving children.

The Study Hall of the New York Public Library was a very unusual experience to me. Why? Because when I entered the space, it was uncannily familiar for some reason. Looking at the spacious hall full of people reading or studying on the large tables with lights all around, I realized that the space looks familiar because the Main Library of my University in the Philippines looks like this as well! It had the same energy, stately atmosphere, and spatial details that my mind immediately felt at home.

The study hall is like stepping back into time - except for all the laptops and tablets

A most surprising discovery for me was that the New York Public Library had a bookshop! That was where I was able to buy a Pigeon plushie that was based on the classic Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. It was funny since while I was on the line to buy the plushie, a lady went right up to me to ask “WHERE DID YOU GET THAT!?” out of pure excitement at seeing the Pigeon (it looks like I was not the only one who was looking for Pigeon merchandise).

For me, having public libraries in a community is a great boon for children and adults; having a place for reliable, physical information can be a source of contentment for many. Taking a break from using our smartphones is always a good thing, especially for kids. The world is so full of visual stimulations of the digital kind that our children will need to have a better grasp of navigating it. Having a library as a physical space can help in this regard.

A library is a good place to read to children, and reading spaces like these can help bring back the habit of reading for pleasure in kids—not that playing video games is inherently harmful, but to give them other activities beyond the digital.