New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the New York Public Library's flagship branch at 476 Fifth Avenue, opened in 1911 and is noted for its Beaux-Arts architecture and the Rose Main Reading Room. Two marble lion sculptures flanking the Fifth Avenue steps, commonly known as 'Patience' and 'Fortitude,' became popular symbols of the library and the city during the 20th century. The building serves as a major research library and public cultural institution hosting exhibitions, lectures, and reading rooms.