Mission

The mission of The New York Public Library is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities. The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond, operating 90 libraries-including research and branch libraries-throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. The Library system offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years, with more than 18 million visits in Fiscal Year 2012. The New York Public Library also serves millions more around the globe online through its website and its extensive social media presence.