2. Chatham Square Library

Chatham Square, one of the New York Public Library’s most trafficked branch, is located on 33 East Broadway. It opened in 1903 as a replacement for the New York Free Circulating Library. The building was designed by the firm, McKim, Mead, and White and was built with Carnegie’s gift to the city.

Since 1911, the library has been a vital component to Chinatown as it holds a circulating Chinese language collection. In addition to honoring Chinese culture, the library has a strong focus on collections for children and young adults. It is home to the children’s story-hour room and the immensely popular Summer Reading Celebration that attracts hundreds of children to the community room every August.