53rd Street Library

The building is located on the south side of 53rd Street, across from the Museum of Modern Art, and adjacent to 660 Fifth Avenue to the east.

The library was famous for housing the collection of the original Winnie the Pooh dolls behind bulletproof glass in a display in the Children’s Reading Room.

[1] It also featured the largest collection in the library system of magazines, hardcover, paperback and recorded books for seventh through twelfth grades in the balcony Nathan Straus Young Adult Center.

[3] The formal name carved in the limestone above the entrance was "The Donnell Free Circulation Library and Reading Room."

At that time, the library was unable to afford the expense of needed repairs to its elevator and air conditioning systems.

Much of the main floor space is a massive airy staircase with "bleacher steps" where people can sit and congregate.

"[14] Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said "The Brits have their head in a honey jar if they think they are taking Pooh out of New York City."

Mike McCurry, spokesman for Bill Clinton said "As the President indicated to some of us, the notion that the United States would lose Winnie is utterly unbearable.