New York City Public Library Turns 100

The New York City Public Library is one of the most instantly recognisable buildings in the world. The grand entrance to its marble halls has been guarded majestically by twin stone lions, Carrere and Hastings, for nearly a hundred years. This weekend, the building and the lions celebrate their centenary.

Although it is the fifth largest library in the United States, to celebrate its centenary the Library is proving it’s more than just books. The Library’s artifact collection is absurdly steeped in historical importance and draws on four main themes - Observation, Creativity, Contemplation and Society - and includes items such as Charles Dickens’ letter opener, Charlotte Bronte's desk, Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Declaration of Independence, Jack Kerouac's personal affects and Christopher Columbus’ first letter from the Americas.

In recent years, the Library has come across hard times. Recently, New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg has tabled over $40 million in cuts. Paul Gunther of the Huffington Post sees the greatest hurdle for the library as not budgetary but a question of relevance, stating that ‘the challenge for its second century is that this thriving architectural masterpiece not fossilize into merely an historic monument to some greater yet abandoned neo-classical past.’