Jefferson Market Library

How to Get There

From Times Square (2 mi): Travel south via Broadway, 7th Avenue, or the 1/2/3 subway lines to Greenwich Village, then continue to the intersection of 6th Avenue and West 10th Street where the library is located.

Overview

The Jefferson Market Library is one of New York City's most distinctive public libraries, occupying a celebrated Victorian Gothic structure in the heart of Greenwich Village. Designed by architects Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux and completed in the 1870s, the building originally served as a courthouse, market complex, and civic center. Its soaring clock tower, pointed arches, stained-glass windows, and elaborate brickwork made it one of the most admired buildings in America during the late nineteenth century. After the courthouse ceased operation, preservation advocates successfully saved the structure from demolition, leading to its transformation into a branch of The New York Public Library.

Today, the library blends historic grandeur with modern public service. Visitors can browse extensive collections, attend educational and cultural programs, and study in reading rooms that once housed court proceedings and judicial offices. The building itself remains a major attraction, drawing architecture enthusiasts who come to admire its craftsmanship and unique history. Surrounded by the cafés, shops, and historic streets of Greenwich Village, the library offers both a quiet place for learning and a fascinating glimpse into New York City's architectural and civic heritage.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Jefferson Market Library, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.