Schwarzman Building

November 2008 marked the return of a circulating children’s library to The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. The Children’s Center at 42nd Street continues NYPL's tradition as a national leader in children's services.

The collection offers a wealth of circulating materials for children of all ages, and for adults with an interest in children’s literature, music, and media. The collection, services, and facilities include:

• A well-rounded selection of informational books targeted to children’s educational and curricular needs.
• Generous collections of picture book stories for sharing with younger readers, easy storybooks for newly independent readers, and novels for readers up to age twelve.
• Collections of musical CDs, books on CD, and DVDs for children.
• Seven PC stations with internet access, available by appointment and reserved for use by children twelve and under.
• A flat screen TV with gaming equipment for special programs.
• Trained professional children’s librarians always on hand to help patrons of all ages to navigate NYPL catalogs and other resources.

The Children’s Center at 42nd Street features on-going public programs for young people and their families. From intimate readings to large-scale events, programming includes storytelling, musical and theatrical performances, spoken word performances, and guest appearances by authors and illustrators. The Children’s Center at 42nd Street is a 'go to' destination for children  from infancy to age 12, as well as their parents and caregivers.