New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a lot more than just a library. It's filled with exhibits, classes and events.

One very popular attraction is the LIVE event. The series was brought to the library from Paul Holdengräber, founder of the Institute for Art and Culture at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  The goal of the event is to get audiences engaged and enlightened. Tickets are $25 and sell out quickly. 

The mission of the event is to provoke, engage, enlighten, instigate and agitate the mind. LIVE has has provocative conversations with amazing guests including Patti Smith, Peter Carey, Claire Messud, Edmund White and Mary Louise-Parker. 

Holdengraber said in an interview that conversation should be both vigorous and playful.  He also said that people need to listen more than speak. He works very hard to create a group of interesting people who engage each other in the discussions. Upcoming guests include Christopher Hitchensk, book reviewer for the Times of London and chief foreign correspondent for the Daily Express, and filmmaker John Waters. 

One of the current art exhibitions is Laurie Simmons' Picture Perfect, which is focused on the theme of the figure in domestic space. She recreates 1950s suburbia by using a solitary female figurine. Another current exhbition is Winnie The Pooh and Friends: The Original Toys. Become a kid again and view Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga and Tigger, all of whom have been living at The New York Public Library since 1987.

Of course, there's lots of books.  Use the library's on-site computerized database to find more than than 8 million records -- more than 6 million records for titles catalogued since 1972 and more than 2 million records for titles catalogued prior to 1972.  If that's not enough to keep you busy, try the musical and non-musical sound recordings, video and film, photographs, prints, cartographic materials software and databases.

If you have some extra time, take a class and learn about Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google or Powerpoint, or learn a new language. 

HelloMetro Tip: Become a friend of the library for as little as $40 a year and your ticket will be $15 for LIVE show and you will also pay no service fees.

- by Danielle Sonnenberg, New York Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Danielle Sonnenberg

Danielle Sonnenberg is a freelance writer living in New York City. She is passionate about stories and asking questions. She has written for several publications including the New York Post, TheStreet.com, Lifestyles Magazine, and Minyanville.com To view more of her work please go to, Her website is www.daniellesonnenberg.com