The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, more affectionately known as Bobst, is the largest in NYU’s 9-library system. Bobst holds 3.9 million of the 5.8 million books in NYU’s catalog and is the most popular study space on campus. NYU partners with other colleges and libraries to use their resources, many of which can be requested online and delivered to one of the main libraries or to a locker for contactless pickup. The library can also place required course material on reserve so students can access it for free. 

 

The front exterior of the Bobst Library
Study Spaces

Bobst is home to some of the best study spaces on campus. The lower levels are open 24 hours a day and have a snack lounge and computer lab. The building also has reservable study rooms for individuals, group projects or exam prep for up to 12 people. And the Computer Center, on the first lower level, allows NYU students to borrow laptops, chargers, cameras, and other essential equipment for completing assignments.

Bobst also has several Sensory Spaces designed to provide students who have sensory needs with an academic environment that supports their academic success and flourishing. The building also has two multifaith prayer spaces for individual prayer, contemplation, reflection, and the quiet, reflective practices of any faith or spiritual community.

A student sits at one of the individual study desks at Bobst
A student sits at a communal desk studying
Library Research Commons

Need to do some research? The stacks are open from 7 AM – 1 AM, and 24 hours during finals. The library’s Research Commons is located on the 5th floor of the building and is designed around collaborative study and research. The Research Commons also has specialized computing support and “help spots” for business, science, and government studies.

Librarians

Bobst has over 70 research librarians available to assist with research endeavors. Each librarian specializes in a particular area of study, ensuring their expertise aligns with your research needs. The “Ask a Librarian” service allows students to chat, text, or email librarians with questions from any location in NYU’s global network 24/7—or make an appointment for a one-on-one consultation.

An exterior street level shot of the Bobst Library
A student walk through Bobst and other students can be see studying
A student sits at a desk studying with headphones on
A view of the interior first floor of NYU's Bobst library
The view of the interior first floor of NYU's Bobst library
The view of the interior first floor of NYU's Bobst library

The Avery Fisher Center

The Avery Fisher Center is one of the world’s largest media centers, and is located on the 7th floor of Bobst. This area holds 48,000 videos, 115,000 audio recordings, and 102,000 print items including sheet music and scores, all of which are free for NYU students. The Avery Fisher Center also has personal viewing stations and large screening rooms available for students to use for everything from homework assignments to premieres of their own film projects.

The entrance to the Avery Fisher Media Center

The entrance to the Avery Fischer Media Center