The Library Walk in NYC refers to a public art installation consisting of 96 bronze plaques embedded into the sidewalk on both sides of 41st Street from Park Avenue to Fifth Avenue. It is best viewed by walking from Park Avenue up toward the Public Library. The plaques feature quotes from famous authors and thinkers, and the installation is designed to celebrate the literary heritage of New York City.
Public Library Walk Plaques
The quotes on the plaques are carefully curated and represent a diverse range of voices and perspectives, from classic authors like Shakespeare and Jane Austen to modern-day writers like Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. Many of the quotes touch on themes like freedom, democracy, and social justice, making the Library Walk not only a celebration of literature but also a tribute to the values that make New York City such a vibrant and dynamic place.
The Library Walk was completed in 2004 and has become a popular destination for New York City book lovers and art enthusiasts. I only managed to view and photograph the north side of 41st and collected half of the plaques yesterday. I intend to make another visit soon to read the remainder.
The Library Walk plaques were designed by the Brooklyn-based artist Gregg LeFevre, in collaboration with New York City’s Department of Transportation and the New York Public Library. LeFevre’s design features 96 unique bronze plaques embedded into the sidewalks along Fifth Avenue, each measuring approximately 18 inches by 24 inches.
The plaques evoke the look and feel of old-fashioned book covers, with raised letters and embossed borders that give them a tactile and three-dimensional quality. The quotes are etched into the bronze surface, with the author’s name and dates listed at the bottom of each plaque.
If you like walking in New York, be sure to check out my post:
The Treasure of the Tenement Museum NYC
