More Time at the Library

Starting today, the New York Public Library will offer expanded hours at 10 branches, setting a historical record for open hours.

Some highlights (more details at http://www.nypl.org/news/hours.gif)

• 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday thru Thursday, at the Mid-Manhattan Library at Fifth Avenue and 40th Street
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Bronx Library Center, Kingsbridge Road
• 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday and Wednesday, Jefferson Market Library, Sixth Avenue at 10th Street

"In the current economic climate we have seen that access to libraries is essential. People with different circumstances and needs require their libraries at different times. I am enormously gratified that whether seeking a job, writing the next great novel, completing a school project, researching a new business or checking out the latest best seller, all our users will have time for in-depth pursuit of what they seek from us," said the president of the New York Public Library, Paul LeClerc.

Celebrate today at the one-day-only "Cover to Cover Cafe" at the Mid-Manhattan branch (a pilot, perhaps, for a long-term cafe?). Tim Hortons is offering free coffee and donut holes all day, and the Bushwick Book Club will present live music at 8 p.m. The action takes place in a street-level space set off from the rest of the library and features a couple of chairs and wireless.

UPDATE: Here are some photos of the scene at Cover to Cover Cafe. We love how the library took care to put out donut-related books on the shelves there, including a biography of Tim Horton himself.