A truly extravagant library in Midtown Manhattan, the Morgan (trite as it
may sound) feels as if straight out of Harry Potter – more
specifically, its towering stacks of books are reminiscent of
Ollivander’s wand shop. Elaborate tapestries and Persian carpets as well as a
colossal fireplace make the space extremely sumptuous, while the
exhibitions never cease to impress – expect showcases of John
Singer Sargent charcoal portraits and Saint-Exupéry drawings.

Located in the Upper East Side, the New York Society Library was
instituted in 1754, making it the city’s oldest of its kind. Unlike
some of New York’s gargantuan reading spaces, the rooms in this
former townhouse are small and cosy, making it the perfect place to
while away a snowy afternoon. If you find yourself reading
Breakfast at Tiffany’s in a plush armchair here, the experience
will be enhanced by the fact that Truman Capote used to hang around
in this very space, perhaps brainstorming for the novel.

Perhaps the city’s grandest reading space, the New York Public
Library is the stuff of legend. The striking Rose Main Reading Room
is illuminated by chandeliers and framed by ceiling murals and
large arched windows, but the most impressive facet of this library
is the size of its collection. With 45 million items, including 10
million books as well as maps, music sheets and more, it’s every
bookworm’s dream come true (in a seriously stunning setting).

Ascending the steps to the modern facade of the Brooklyn Public Library might
feel more like arriving at the Palais de Tokyo than at a place to read.
Beyond the imposing gold-emblazoned doors, however, are soaring
ceilings and bright, contemporary spaces in which to browse the
library’s collection. Anyone sick of traditional old-school
libraries (but in dire need of finishing up a research paper), this
is your go-to.

Grab a guest pass and head to Butler Library, Columbia
University’s largest library and the place to be whether you need
to do some research or are hunting down a quiet place to read. With
soaring ceilings and chandeliers in some rooms and cosy nooks in
others, this beautiful space guarantees that you’ll find your spot
(even if you happen to find yourself between stressed students
around exam time). The services here are also excellent, especially
if you’re looking for a volume that’s tricky to track down.

A pretty public library right on Rockefeller Park overlooking
the Hudson, Poets House holds more than
70,000 volumes and hosts readings and workshops of all kinds
despite its smaller size. The reading room here gets plenty of
sunshine, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the Financial
District’s towering buildings that block out most light, head here
for a few hours of Zen.

Located in a former Greenwich Village courthouse, this library
has the allure of a castle or church. Once you’ve readjusted your
neck from looking up at the soaring red-brick clock tower, designed
by some of the architects who assisted in creating Central Park,
prepare to be equally wowed by the interiors. Step into a room lit
up by stained-glass windows for a writing workshop or snuggle up in
a gothic-style Victorian reading room.