Ottendorfer Branch

Ottendorfer Branch The Ottendorfer Branch of the New York Public Library opened in 1884 as New York City's first free public library.

NOTE: The New York Public Library, Ottendorfer Branch is NOT Wheelchair accessible. Designed by German-born architect William Schickel, this landmark building combines Queen Anne and neo-Italian Renaissance styles with an exterior ornamented by innovative terracotta putti. The Branch was a gift of Oswald Ottendorfer, owner of the New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung. At the time, the neighborhood was called Kleindeutschland (Little Germany) and had a population of over 150,000 people of German descent. Ottendorfer wished to provide this community with books to cultivate their minds and assist assimilation into American culture. Half of the 8,000 original books were in German with the other half in English. In the same tradition, the branch continues to reflect its community and remains a vital educational and cultural resource for the East Village today. The building, which is a designated New York City landmark, has been completely renovated through the Library's Adopt-A-Branch program, through which private donors join public funders to restore branch libraries. While the original Ottendorfer Branch was designed as a bilingual library to serve the German community, the restored library can now better serve its multilingual community and provide an increased level of accessibility to all people. Highlights include restored, repointed, and cleaned façade, an elevator, air-conditioning system, spacious reading area, new computer lab workstations, and children's floor with story hour room.

Something about today says classic mystery! What are you reading this weekend?
07/31/2026

Something about today says classic mystery! What are you reading this weekend?

Happy National Lasagna Day! We have book to help you celebrate!
07/29/2026

Happy National Lasagna Day! We have book to help you celebrate!

What are you reading this weekend? Come on in and find your next great read. We are are until 5 pm today and tomorrow!...
07/24/2026

What are you reading this weekend? Come on in and find your next great read. We are are until 5 pm today and tomorrow!

The Astor Library, circa 1900, which today houses The Public Theater.
07/23/2026

The Astor Library, circa 1900, which today houses The Public Theater.

Trending now. These are some of the popular titles you can pick up today!
07/17/2026

Trending now. These are some of the popular titles you can pick up today!

Find your inspiration here with the Anime Quote of the Month!
07/14/2026

Find your inspiration here with the Anime Quote of the Month!

It's Friday! What are you reading this weekend?
07/10/2026

It's Friday! What are you reading this weekend?

From the digital archives, a floating library circa 1899.
07/09/2026

From the digital archives, a floating library circa 1899.

Today is the beginning of our Davis vs. Crawford film series! Be here at 4:40 sharp for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane!
07/07/2026

Today is the beginning of our Davis vs. Crawford film series! Be here at 4:40 sharp for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane!

Today is World Chocolate Day! Stop by for a book to help you celebrate!
07/07/2026

Today is World Chocolate Day! Stop by for a book to help you celebrate!

Address

135 2nd Avenue
New York, NY
10003

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 7pm
Tuesday 12pm - 7pm
Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12126740947

Website

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