Know the Past, Find the Future: The New York Public Library at 100

by Caro Llewellyn (Editor), Laurie Anderson (Contributor)

From Laurie Anderson to Vampire Weekend, Roy Blount, Jr., to Renée Fleming, Stephen Colbert to Bill T. Jones—more than 100 luminaries reflect on the treasures of America’s favorite public library.Marking the centennial of The New York Public Library’s Beaux-Arts landmark at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, now called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Know the Past, Find the Future harnesses the thoughts of an eclectic assortment of notable people as they ponder an even more eclectic assortment of objects. From among the Library’s vast collections, these writers, artists, philosophers, scientists, musicians, athletes, architects, choreographers, and journalists—as well as some of the curators who have preserved these riches—each select an item and describe its unique significance. The result, in words and photographs, is a glimpse of what a great library can be.For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Essays, Reference, Anthologies, New York, American History

375 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

There has to be something off because this book about the love of the printed word is a book I read on my Kindle. I have also never been to the New York Public Library. Hey, I love in Philadelphia and we're just as good as NY. Really, we are. We got Poe and stuff. I also got out of the habit of going to the library. My local one was closed for several years.


This book was free for Kindle which is why I picked it up. What it is, is a collection of personal essays and photos celebrating the library - all with famous or quasi famous people or curators. (I haven't heard of some of the people).

Stand out essays for me were -

Martha Plimpton - she is now the coolest person ever.

Sharon Jones - I didn't know who this woman was, but she is a singer. Her essay is the best one in the book. Now to go find her music.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy that this book exists. I learned so much about some of my favorite authors/artists/creators, as well as people I knew nothing about previously. I have (very briefly) been to the New York Public Library and now I can't wait to go back and actually explore. I had no idea the services this place offered, and this book does a beautiful job of displaying the beauty of history.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Five stars for the New York Public Library, two stars for this book, which has some gems, but overall is a little on the dull side. Not everyone asked to contribute is a writer and it showed.

However, I think the book will raise awareness of the NYPL and its impressive collection. I had no idea that it housed so many amazing pieces of history. Should I ever visit New York, I'll be making a visit.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a little book celebrating the New York Public Library's 100th birthday. Filled with photographs (and essays) of notables with their selections of the one item out of the library's vast collections that they most wanted to view. Some surprising choices. I really loved this book. It reminded what valuable resources libraries are and how much we need to fight to preserve them.

[Stephen Kiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of historical artifacts -- and popular culture -- this book is an underappreciated delight.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the New York Public Library, more than 100 artists, musicians, writers, composers, choreographers and bright lights of American intellectualism came to the library to see things other than books: what Jack Kerouac brought with him when he was on the road, restaurant menus from a century ago, ancient manuscripts, stage designs, musical scores, on and on. It is a trove of eccentric, wonderful things. The guests' reactions, humble and appreciative, genuine and unguarded, are exquisite and often sublime.

For years I have called the Rose Room at the NYPL "my Manhattan office," because it is one of the most beautiful places to work -- for free -- in America. I never knew that the library was also a treasury of interesting objects.

This book is not for everyone. You have to be a bit of a history and culture nerd. But if you are, you will be richly rewarded. Don't you want to know what Lou Reed wanted to see? And what he thought of it?

Also important to note: The book is full of photos of accomplished people as they take in something interesting and new to them. These pictures are by one of America's very best portrait photographers, Beowulf Sheehan. His photos along make the book worthwhile.

[Sarah Tollok · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, otherwise known as the main branch of the New York Public Library, houses one of the most expansive and impressive collections of literature, photography, art, music, and other priceless ephemera on the planet. But if all those works and items weren't amazing enough, what is even more incredible is that the doors are not locked, but rather wide open to the public.

This collection, published by Penguin Classics as s celebration of the institution's 100th birthday, brings together creatives, intellectuals, and others from all professions and all walks of life, allowing each to pick one item from the archives and express what it means to them. It's heartening to see so many notable individuals turn into fangirls, awestruck by getting to hold the works of geniuses and legends. They revert to children who, upon their first ever visit to a library, walk through the stacks, speechless with the realization that everything on those shelves is there for them to hold, to read, to learn from, to be inspired by.

Libraries are magical places. This book captures a little bit of that magic on every page and allows the reader to feel it, even if they never get to pass between the twin, noble lions there at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded it when Barnes and Noble offered it as a free Nook book in 2013.
I might have enjoyed it more as a coffee table book, something to look at to see photos in a larger format and to skim the essays.

[kev]

Only in New York

[Theresahpir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love the idea of this book. Having a love and respect for libraries, I found it fascinating to see all the wonderful treasures, besides what you'd normally expect to find in a library, that are housed in special collections of the NYPL. One hundred people were asked to choose the item(s) that spoke to them the most, and it was really quite interesting to see the broad range of first editions, maps, and other items chosen and the reasons why. As with any book with multiple authors, it was hit and miss. Some of the contributors wrote engaging, thought-provoking, and meaningful essays. Others, not so much. However, all entries were short and peppered with awesome photos, making this a great little read to skim over piece by piece.

Personally, however, I would have loved to see a little more of the actual history of the library added for good measure, and a little more diversity with those chosen to contribute.

[Lizabeth Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The centennial was in 2011. In honor of that and Penguin Books' 65th Anniversary, we've been given a collection of 100 notable figures who talk about what items mean the most from the many collections at the library. There is much more than just books at the New York Public Library.

This is a great glimpse into the many collections contained at the Library. My own love affair with the MYPL started very early. Between the guardian lions and the feeling when you step inside, it was a favorite place to visit whenever my New York relatives would take me to the City. When I became old enough to go on my own, I always took time to visit what was my favorite place downtown. 3.5 out of 5.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. 100 people describe their favorite thing at the New York Public Library. There were several items that I was totally geeking out over: The REAL Winnie-The-Pooh, the Hunt-Lenox Globe, Unidentified Baseball Player with Mustache, Beethoven & Bach manuscripts, John Cage scores, first edition Origin of Species, & De Revolvtionibvs by Copernicus (1543)! And a whole bunch that I didn't give a shit about. But that's what the library is all about, really....finding something that really speaks to you. Wonderful.

[Doc Kinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly inspirational book! Libraries are among the holiest objects made by man, and the NY Public Library is a cathedral amongst these churches. It was a treat having some first order people find some of the vast treasures in the NY Public Library and tell us of them, their value to them, and what should be their value to us, on the Centennial Anniversary of this magnificent institution.

Well done!

This is available as an eBook from Amazon on Kindle. The very best $0.00 I've ever spent. Period.

[Teri Pre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected. I thought it would be a history of the NYPL but instead it was about various collections and artifacts that different famous people found fascinating.

I read this on my Kindle but I have a feeling that I would have gotten a lot more out of it if I would have read the book version.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's wonderful to see some of the treasures of the NYPL showcased and gushed over by people ranging from Philip Roth to the Harlem Globetrotters. While not necessarily meant to be read cover to cover, this highly browse-able title has a certain magic. Now I have an aching to head to the library...

[Joseph Cognard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was passed this book by a friend who knows I often do research there. Very interesting read to see all things available on record, and to see how certain things have touched certain peple.

If you ever get the chance to read it's worth it, I would think tjat most people would be effected by one or more of the peoples' choices and reasoons.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend that everyone who has any interest in libraries, books, or museums at least flip through the pages of Know the Past, Find the Future. I had no idea the NYPL held so many interesting and unusual items and collections. Very well written with nice color photos.

[Rk Wild · Rating 3 out of 5]

In celebration of the New York Public Library's Centennial, 100 public figures are invited to handle and comment on a special item of their choosing located within the various confines of that esteemed institution.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read on an iPad en route to the library conference. It's free in the iBook store and Penguin was giving out free copies at ALA.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

To celebrate its centennial, the New York Public Library asked 100 luminaries to select their favorite works in the collection. Penguin published the result, and left hundreds of copies around town.

[Nora T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free book celebrating 100 years of the NYPL. Great photos, too.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the essays are wonderful, others are so-so. Great iPhone book for subway reading.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is most interesting for its overview of the amazing things in the NYPL collection, but as a book it's hit or miss. As an awesome note, these were given out for free by the library!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical artifacts and I loved this gem of a book.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short write-ups by famous people -- either famous celebrities, or people famous in their fields -- of some of the wonderful items in the NYPL collection, including the original Winnie-the-Pooh :)

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah Vowell's piece was the best, of course. Lots of filler. Learned about SLAM, so that was neat.