Book Design
"Only" at the NYPL
2025
The main branch of the New York Public Library is famous for the Rose Reading Room, a grand scholarly space popular for tourists. However, this and many other rooms in the public library remain inaccessible to many.
As a typographic study of the restrictive signage in the space, this book highlights the places "only" accessible to some within the Stephen A. Schwartzman building.
Project Description
The Stephen A. Schwartzman Building of the New York Public Library is designed to be open and accessible to all, but is littered with signage denying visitation. One visit was enough to collect numerous photographs of these signs.
For research purposes on the building itself, entry was difficult. The book features the quotation, "Can't you just leave us alone?", which was stated to a fellow visitor upon walking its halls.
To highlight the injustice of restriction of a public institute, the book features grunge-style typographics, borrowing from the history of public discontent with institutions.