NYPLPA

NYPLPA: New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Isn't that amazing!? They have a whole library for the performing arts! I have started this new class called Research Project: The Great Composers of Broadway. It is held on Tuesdays for 2 hours and then Saturdays for 7 hours. Yes, 7 hours for one class, on a Saturday. But, it's okay because I really love the class. We were each assigned a composer who was significant to making Broadway what it is today to research. I was assigned the great Richard Rodgers. I have loved every second of learning about this incredible artist and his lifetime of inspiring work.

Now for where the library fits in. Due to the homework in this class and the in-depth research it entails, a library card was absolutely necessary. It was cool and exciting to get a New York Public Library card, I don't really know why, but it was. As cool as getting the library card was visiting the NYPLPA was even cooler. I mean a whole library dedicated to performing arts!? I still cannot get over that! 

The entire staff of this library is full of the kindest and most helpful people on the planet. Every single one of the librarians are so nice and go out of their way to help you find what you need and have a great experience. I totally was geeking out the entire time I was there just looking at all the music and librettos they had available. They also have big copy machines where you can make photo-copies of anything you need. There is a whole giant section of shelves for biographies of composers, performers, choreographers, directors, etc. There is one area dedicated to each movies, dance, and music. 

On the top floor there is a very cool and special spot where they keep things and "relics" from the time period. I went up and looked through newspaper clippings of Richard Rodger's work when it was being published. I got to hold the actual newspaper that was published when Oklahoma had its opening night. Before I could even enter this section of the library I had to check in my personal belongings at a window outside, and make sure I had washed off my hands. They don't want any extra germs getting near the "artifacts" because they want them kept in the best condition possible. The rules were; I had to keep the clippings horizontal to the table and only touch one at a time. Also, they had to stay on the folder and not touch the table itself. There was a very nice librarian walking around making sure everyone who was handling clippings was following the rules and being very careful. It was such a cool experience. In other areas people were using gloves to handle certain pages and such. I loved every second of m experience in this library.

The last super cool feature about this library I am going to touch on is the TOFT section. TOFT stands for Theatre On Film and Tape. This is the archive of every Broadway musical that has ever been filmed. So someone like me, as a library card holder, has to opportunity to watch any of those filmed archives for free. I can see any Broadway production of any show at anytime for free in the TOFT library. I have yet to utilize the facility because my class schedule conflicts with the times that TOFT is open. However, I cannot wait to get in there and watch Broadway shows on film! I think that this library of performing arts has some amazing things inside. I am so excited to continue visiting and exploring everything the NYPLPA has to offer.