The Secret Apartments of New York City Libraries

(via 6sqft) In the early to mid twentieth century, the majority of New York City’s libraries had live-in superintendents. These caretakers both worked and lived in the buildings for which they were responsible. This meant that for decades, behind the stacks, meals were cooked, baths and showers were taken, and bedtime stories were read. And yes, families living in the city’s libraries typically did have access to the stacks at night—an added bonus if they happened to need a new bedtime book after hours.