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The New York Public Library company history timeline

1898

In 1898, close to fifty years after the Astor Library had opened, the libraries trustees agreed to merge with the planned New York Public Library.

1901

The newly established library consolidated with the grass-roots New York Free Circulating Library in February 1901.

Later in 1901, Carnegie formally signed a contract with the City of New York to transfer his donation to the city in order to enable it to justify purchasing the land for building the branch libraries.

1905

During the summer of 1905, the huge columns were put into place and work on the roof was begun.

1906

Exterior marble work, southwest corner (1906)The site chosen for the home of the new Public Library was the Croton Reservoir, a popular strolling place that occupied a two-block section of Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets.

1911

More than one million books were set in place for the official dedication of the Library on May 23, 1911—some 16 years to the day since the historic agreement creating the Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations had been signed.

1995

In 1995, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the library, the $100 million Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL), designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates of Manhattan, opened to the public.

2004

The consolidations and changes in collections have promoted continuing debate and controversy since 2004 when David Ferriero was named the Andrew W. Mellon Director and Chief Executive of the Research Libraries.

In 2004 NYPL announced participation in the Google Books Library Project.

2009

Until 2009, the research and branch libraries operated almost entirely as separate systems, but that year various operations were merged.

2010

By early 2010, the NYPL staff had been reduced by about 16 percent, in part through the consolidations.

As of 2010, the research libraries in the system are largely funded with private money, and the branch or circulating libraries are financed primarily with city government funds.

2011

As of 2011, circulation in the New York Public Library systems and Brooklyn Public Library systems has increased by 59%. Located in Long Island City, BookOps was created as a way to save money while improving patrons service.

2013

In February 2013, the New York and Brooklyn public libraries announced that they would merge their technical services departments.

2015

BookOps now has all departments in one building and in 2015 sorted almost eight million items.

2017

The main reading room was separately made a New York City designated landmark in 2017.

2018

New York Public Library Reading Rooms – Photo: Brian Kachejian ©2018

2021

At the behest of Joseph Cogswell, John Jacob Astor placed a codicil in his will to bequeath $400,000 (equivalent of $12 million in 2021) for the creation of a public library.

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The New York Public Library may also be known as or be related to NY Public Library, New York Public Library, THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, The New York Public Library, The New York Public Library (NYPL) and The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.