In recent decades, it hasn't served as a circulating library.

WSJ: Libraries Rethink Their Role in City

Starting as early as next year, the planned renovation would transform the stacks into a public area containing a new circulating library looking over Bryant Park with bookshelves, rooms for people to work together and, perhaps, a cafe.

WSJ: Libraries Rethink Their Role in City

Indeed, a petition is now circulating from a group calling itself the Public Library of Science, urging scientists to boycott any publisher that will not relinquish the rights to published bio-medical papers after six months.

ECONOMIST: Publishing