Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Book Lovers on Staten Island
Top Things to Do in New York City for Book Lovers on Staten Island
1. Staten Island Museum
Housed at Snug Harbor, the borough’s encyclopedic museum features permanent collections, rotating exhibits, and a research library that rewards curious readers with Staten Island natural history, art catalogs, and local lore.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a one-stop cultural deep dive where book lovers can pair exhibit-viewing with time in the reference stacks and pick up beautifully produced catalogues to take home.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings for a quieter experience; special exhibition openings for fresh reading material and talks.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask staff about the archives and publications desk—catalogues and out-of-print titles related to Staten Island often surface here.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors praise the museum’s approachable curation and the sense that you always leave knowing a story you didn’t before.
2. St. George Library Center
NYPL’s flagship Staten Island branch anchors the ferry district with expansive stacks, study nooks, event space, and a robust calendar of author talks and book clubs.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the borough’s literary living room—ideal for browsing new releases before or after a ferry ride.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoons on weekdays or Saturday mornings for best seat selection.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the branch calendar for author events timed with ferry schedules; arrive early to snag window seats with harbor views.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Locals love the welcoming staff and strong selection; travelers appreciate how easy it is to pair with a St. George stroll.
3. Every Thing Goes Book Café & Neighborhood Stage
A beloved used bookstore-café in Stapleton where shelves of secondhand gems meet poetry nights, zine culture, and community readings.
✓ Why Go:
Treasure-hunt the stacks, sip something warm, and catch an open mic or author set—pure indie-bookshop ambiance.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings for readings; weekend late mornings for leisurely browsing.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring cash for bargain carts and ask about locally produced zines and Staten Island authors’ sections.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it cozy, quirky, and quintessentially Staten Island; regulars rave about the rotating selection.
4. Historic Richmond Town Archives
The Staten Island Historical Society’s library and archives preserve centuries of borough history—diaries, ledgers, maps, and rare books for deep-dive researchers.
✓ Why Go:
History-minded readers can handle original documents and uncover narratives that never make it into standard guidebooks.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
By-appointment research hours; plan a weekday visit and combine with a walk through the historic village.
✓ Insider Tip:
Email ahead with research topics; staff can pull relevant boxes and suggest related printed guides.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Researchers praise the knowledgeable archivists and the thrill of hands-on history.
5. Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
This landmarked house museum explores the lives of Giuseppe Garibaldi and inventor Antonio Meucci, with letters, prints, and a compact library of Italian and immigrant history.
✓ Why Go:
Literary and history buffs can connect with 19th-century correspondence and bilingual materials that illuminate Italy’s ties to Staten Island.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons when guided talks are offered; check for cultural programming and language events.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about pamphlets and translations—many are perfect, portable reads for the ferry back.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors admire the intimate storytelling and passionate docents who make the documents come alive.
6. Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
A serene hillside museum with a scholarly bent—its small research library, tranquil courtyards, and exhibitions invite slow looking and reflective reading.
✓ Why Go:
Book lovers seeking quiet will find meditative spaces and texts on Himalayan culture that pair beautifully with the setting.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning on weekends for the calmest atmosphere; visit on a clear day to read outdoors.
✓ Insider Tip:
Browse the gift shop’s book corner for hard-to-find titles on Tibetan art and Buddhism.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests describe it as peaceful and transportive—perfect for lingering with a book.
7. Barnes & Noble Staten Island Mall
A sprawling bookstore with deep inventory, airy seating, and regular author signings—ideal for new releases and curated staff picks.
✓ Why Go:
When you want guaranteed selection and a comfy chair, this is the borough’s most comprehensive browsing experience.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday evenings for quieter aisles; weekends for kids’ story time and events.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the events page for signings by local authors—lines move faster if you purchase the book in-store first.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Shoppers appreciate the organized shelves, friendly staff, and relaxed pace compared with Manhattan locations.
8. Charleston Library
One of NYPL’s newest Staten Island branches features bright reading rooms, tech-equipped spaces, and a welcoming community vibe.
✓ Why Go:
Modern design meets robust collections—great for remote work, quiet reading, and discovering local author displays.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Midday on weekdays for sunlight-filled tables and plentiful outlets.
✓ Insider Tip:
Explore the outdoor seating area on mild days—it’s a pleasant place to read without losing Wi‑Fi.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Patrons love the fresh, airy feel and say it’s quickly become a neighborhood hub for readers.
9. Tottenville Library
A handsome Carnegie-era branch with wood details and a neighborhood feel—perfect for classic-library atmosphere seekers.
✓ Why Go:
Architecture lovers and readers alike appreciate the historic setting for a quiet afternoon with a novel.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings; combine with a walk along nearby Conference House Park.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask librarians about Staten Island history titles—they often curate small displays of local-interest books.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars praise the calm vibe and attentive staff who know patrons by name.
10. Noble Maritime Collection
Dedicated to artist John A. Noble, this museum at Snug Harbor includes a reading room and maritime library with ship logs, diaries, and nautical literature.
✓ Why Go:
For fans of sea narratives and urban waterfront history, it’s a rare trove of texts and art under one roof.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons when the galleries are quiet; pair with a stroll through Snug Harbor’s grounds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Inquire about access to the research library—staff can guide you to shipyard memoirs and Staten Island harbor histories.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors admire the intimate scale and the way the library deepens the maritime stories on the walls.
