Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
🏢 New York Public Library · New York, New York
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Rebuilt from the bones of the beloved Mid-Manhattan Library and opened in June 2021, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library is NYPL's largest circulating branch — eight floors of open stacks, a soaring three-story Long Room, a free rooftop terrace, and a teen recording studio, all anchored to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 40th Street in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 8am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–9pm |
| Thursday | 8am–9pm |
| Friday | 8am–8pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 10am–6pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 340-0863
Website: nypl.org
Plus Code: 87G8Q229+MC (New York, NY)
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📖 About Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library occupies a landmarked 1915 building at 455 Fifth Avenue that spent decades as a department store before the New York Public Library converted it into the Mid-Manhattan Library in 1970. After decades of service — and a failed 2010s plan to close the branch entirely — a transformative $200 million renovation was launched in 2017, funded in part by a $55 million gift from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the second-largest donation in NYPL's history. Dutch architectural firm Mecanoo redesigned the interior while preserving the original white-limestone facade, creating the Marron Family Circulating Collections across a basement and seven stories with capacity for 400,000 volumes and 1,500 reader seats. A signature feature is the three-story "Long Room" spanning floors 2–4, where Turkish artist Hayal Pozanti's ceiling carries an invented 31-glyph alphabet mapped to every English letter and numeral. The library reopened in phases — grab-and-go service in July 2020, the Thomas Yoseloff Business Center in May 2021 — before celebrating its grand opening on June 1, 2021.
⭐ What makes this library special
- NYPL's largest circulating branch with 300,000+ browsable volumes across eight floors at 455 Fifth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan
- The three-story Long Room (floors 2–4) features Hayal Pozanti's original 31-glyph alphabet ceiling — one of the most distinctive interiors of any U.S. public library
- Teen Center on the lower level includes a recording studio, media lab, study rooms, and dedicated programming for young adults
- Free rooftop terrace and event center on the seventh floor with open-air seating and panoramic Midtown skyline views
- Thomas Yoseloff Business Center (by appointment) and Pasculano Adult Learning Center for career support, English-language classes, and technology instruction
- Fine-free library — no late fees for any returned items
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
NYPL cardholders can read, stream, and research free through the library's digital collections:
📚 Services
- Marron Family Circulating Collections — 300,000+ volumes across open-stack floors
- Thomas Yoseloff Business Center (appointment required) for personal finance and small-business research
- Pasculano Adult Learning Center — English-language classes, career services, technology instruction
- Children's Center with dedicated programming and collections
- Teen Center with recording studio, media lab, and study rooms
- Free rooftop terrace and event center (seventh floor)
- Exam and test proctoring
- Job support and resume assistance
- Mobile printing ($0.20/page black and white)
- Fine-free borrowing — no late fees
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early-literacy programs
- Teen workshops and events (recording, media, creative arts)
- Adult web-design and technology classes
- English conversation and ESL programs
- Author talks and live performances
- Volunteer opportunities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Manhattan
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and why is this library named after it?
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is a Greek philanthropic organization named for the late Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos. In September 2017 the Foundation donated $55 million toward the library's $200 million renovation — the second-largest single gift in NYPL's history, behind only Stephen Schwarzman's 2008 donation — and the rebuilt branch was renamed in its honor when it reopened on June 1, 2021.
What is the Long Room, and where is it inside the building?
The Long Room is a dramatic three-story open atrium that runs through floors 2, 3, and 4 of the renovated library. Designed by Dutch firm Mecanoo, it features 85-by-17-foot openings that flood the circulating stacks with natural light. Overhead, Turkish artist Hayal Pozanti's ceiling installation presents a bespoke 31-glyph alphabet — one invented symbol for every English letter and numeral — making the Long Room one of the most visually distinctive public-library interiors in the United States.
Is the SNFL rooftop open to the public, and does it cost anything?
Yes. The seventh-floor rooftop terrace is free and open to all visitors during library hours — no reservation required for casual visits. It offers outdoor seating with views of Midtown Manhattan. The adjacent Event Center on the same floor can be reserved for programs and private events.
Why is the library closed on Mondays, and what are the weekend hours?
The SNFL follows NYPL's standard schedule for this branch: closed on Mondays, open Tuesday through Thursday 8 am–9 pm and Friday 8 am–8 pm for the full weekday run, then open Saturday and Sunday 10 am–6 pm. Check nypl.org/help/closings for holiday closures before making a special trip.
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