Hidden Details of the New York Public Library | Architectural Digest - Summary

Summary

A possible concise summary is:

This is a transcript of a video tour of the New York Public Library, highlighting its history, architecture, collections, and services. The tour covers the exterior and interior of the building, from the iconic lions and the marble facade to the Rose Main Reading Room and the South Court Building. The tour also showcases some of the library's treasures, such as the Gutenberg Bible, the original Winnie the Pooh toys, and rare maps and manuscripts. The tour explains how the library reflects the classical tradition, the civic pride, and the cultural diversity of New York City.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the text:

1. The text is a transcript of a video tour of the New York Public Library.
2. The library was built between 1902 and 1911 and was the largest marble structure in the country at the time.
3. The library has a collection of 45 million items, including rare books, manuscripts, maps, and artworks.
4. The library has two famous lions named Patience and Fortitude at the entrance, and many other lion motifs throughout the building.
5. The library has a Rose Main Reading Room that is one of the largest rooms in the country without a dome or columns, and has a ceiling mural of the morning sky.
6. The library has a South Court Building that was added in 2002 to accommodate the digital age and provide more space for computers and programs.
7. The library has original Winnie the Pooh and Friends stuffed animals that belonged to Christopher Robin Milne in the children's room.
8. The library has a Bartos Forum that is a cast iron and glass structure modeled on some 17th century gates at the Louvre in Paris.
9. The library has seven layers of cast iron and steel stacks that support the Rose Main Reading Room and store millions of books.
10. The library has a Gottesman Exhibition Hall that showcases the depth and breadth of the collection and has a ceiling carved by Maurice Graefe.

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