Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

The NYPL's Glorious Rose Reading Room Will Finally Reopen

By

Jen Carlson

Published Sep 13, 2016

Modified Sep 13, 2016

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

(Photo by Max Touhey Photography)

 

Gothamist

View all 16

By

Jen Carlson

Published Sep 13, 2016

Modified Sep 13, 2016

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The NYPL's grand Rose Reading Room has been closed for over two years, ever since that ancient plaster rosette came falling from the sky. They've been working non-stop to reopen, and will do so a bit ahead of schedule—this week they announced you can expect you to reenter the Rose Main Reading Room and the Bill Blass Public Catalog Room on October 5th.

“The Library has eagerly anticipated the reopening of these glorious rooms, architectural gems which for over 100 years have been home to scholars, writers, students, and all members of the public who want to access our renowned research collections, learn, and create,” said NYPL President Tony Marx. “As great stewards of all of our libraries, we are proud of this important project, which ensures that these spectacular spaces remain as inspiring as they were on the day they opened.”

The two adjacent rooms—located on the third floor of the iconic building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street—have been undergoing not only repairs, but restoration, and the progress has been well documented by the team.

The NYPL says that the ceilings—built in 1911 along with the rest of the Library—were in good condition, according to WJE Engineers & Architects, P.C., but they decided to make some improvement, which included:

Click through for a look at the $12 million restoration—all they need to do now is put all those books back on the shelves!

Note: The Library is now offering a free exhibition documenting the recent work on the Reading Room, which includes that pesky rosette, as well as documentation of other historic efforts to preserve the 42nd Street Library. You can check out "Preserving a Masterpiece: From Soaring Ceilings to Subterranean Storage" now through October 9th.

Tagged

bill blass catalog room

nypl

rose main reading room

rose reading room

original

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE arts-entertainment

A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson

"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.

By

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 13, 2026 at 3:17 p.m. ET

The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?

Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.

By

Lindsay Lee Wallace

Arts & Entertainment

The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?

Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.

By

Lindsay Lee Wallace

Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?

By

James Ramsay

What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.

By

Jayson Greene

Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City

By

Sonia Rao

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .