Inspiring Inquiry: NYPL Visit Prepares Students for Capstone History Projects

As part of the lead-up to their culminating independent research projects, Susannah Walker’s Advanced U.S. History students took a meaningful and eye-opening trip to the main research branch of the New York Public Library—an essential experience designed to deepen their understanding of both the research process and the incredible resources available beyond the classroom.

Their visit began in the iconic Bill Blass and Rose Main Reading Rooms, where students received an introduction to the history and mission of the NYPL. Unlike the neighborhood branch libraries they may be more familiar with, the NYPL’s research branch is a closed stack library—meaning most materials are stored out of public view and must be requested for use. This distinction sparked conversations about the intentionality required in advanced research and the value of spending time with carefully curated, often rare or specialized materials.

Students were introduced to tools that predate the “Google model” of research, including card catalogs and archival finding aids. They learned to think critically about their sources, moving beyond quick searches and instead considering how to develop unique angles, refine their topics, and build arguments using a variety of traditional and nontraditional research methods.

In the library’s Digital Collections Center, students also learned about the breadth of physical materials available through NYPL’s shared off-site storage facility, which it operates in collaboration with Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia. Because these four institutions use the same facility, researchers at NYPL can access physical sources from all partner libraries—dramatically expanding the range of materials available for scholarly research. This expanded access allowed students to begin drawing connections between their research topics and broader historical themes, often uncovering unexpected sources that could shape or even shift the direction of their papers.

Beyond the academic preparation, students found inspiration in the sheer beauty and stillness of the space. The grandeur of the NYPL's reading rooms created a powerful atmosphere for quiet contemplation, allowing students to slow down, focus, and fully engage with the research process.

In an age of instant answers, this visit served as a valuable reminder of the richness and rigor that comes from intentional scholarship. The New York Public Library not only provided essential tools and resources, but also sparked a deeper appreciation for the process of discovery—an experience that will inform students' research and academic writing for years to come.