The New York Public Library Rose Reading Room expands across two city blocks as a reminder of an elegant era before computers and iPads and cellphones. The lofty ceilings evoke a heaven of knowledge, while the quietude along the long oak tables fosters thought at a galactic pace contrary to the modern day's 24/7 frenzied pursuit of 15 seconds of fame. A minute spend within these exquisite chambers calms the soul, while a day lingering over a lost tome can resonate like a tuning fork in the past, present, and future.
The old pneumatic tubes at the main desk once brought requests to the stacks underneath the library, however those shelves are now empty. Over three million books had been evacuated from the stacks to make room for a proposed renovation i.e. commercial takeover. Thankfully wiser heads overruled the library's trustees and Mayor deBlasio cancelled the project.
The books are in New Jersey. The trustees are stalling in hopes of the people forget their anger and the restructuring of the library can proceed without a hitch.
Books ordered today take up to three days to arrive at the library.
Access to knowledge is key to research and not every book in the world is on the internet.
Become a member of the save the NYPL movement at www.savenypl.org
We might not read anymore, but some of us do.
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