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New York State Psychiatric Institute's Patient and Family Library has hundreds of books pertaining to mental health and mental illness, as well as many informative videos, handouts, and brochures. The library is located on the campus of New York State Psychiatric Institute on West 168th Street, just next to Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan. The visitor will find the spacious, sunny reading rooms with a view of the New Jersey Palisades and the George Washington Bridge to be an inviting and tranquil environment.

The library is staffed by individuals who can guide the visitor through the on-site and virtual collection. Feel free to stop by to peruse the collection, obtain some useful handouts on helpful Internet sites devoted to mental health, consult with the library staff about the Internet in order to do research about treatment and medication, or view a video concerning a psychiatric diagnosis. During weekday business hours an on-site coffee shop on the sixth floor offers light lunches, snacks, and coffee.

The Patient and Family Library is the result of the Institute's emphasis on family education to help patients and family members foster and maintain a familial environment that is fully conducive to recovery from major mental disorders. The library opened in 2001 and is staffed by volunteers, interns, and psychiatric social workers. There will always be someone there to answer your questions or guide you to a reference source. From time to time the library also hosts special events, such as a speaker series by people in recovery, discussion groups, and writing groups, as well as other groups that change on an annual basis. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to know when these events occur, call the number listed below or simply stop by.

The library is located in the new New York State Psychiatric Institute building. You can reach the Institute by taking the A or C or #1 train to 168th Street and Broadway. Walk west on 168th Street, crossing Ft. Washington Avenue where 168th Street turns into Haven Avenue. Walk one more block to the front of the cocoa brown building. Enter here. Sign in at the security desk, walk across the footbridge and proceed to room 5701.

It is recommended that you call in advance to determine the library's hours for that day, and if they are closed for any holiday. The phone number is (212) 543-6713. The library staff welcomes all visitors and if you call in advance the staff can provide directions by car or bus if needed.