Introduction
The New York metropolitan area ecosystem is an important part of NYC's unique sense of place. Similar to its built environment the region’s natural environment has changed remarkably over the past 400 years due to decisions made by successive city administrators. It also continues to morph as the result of climate change. As the city’s cityscape, landscape and waterways transform with each passing year, metro NY’s unique built and natural environments keeps on shaping the lives of tourists, commuters, and residents alike.
To understand New York City’s history and its future it is helpful to examine its parks, harbors, rivers, topography, and land use zoning. NYPL's vast collection of maps, charts, atlases, reports, and books document the metropolitan area's evolution, and are essential to understanding the different ways in which NY’s urban biome has changed over time. This guide is designed to help researchers locate primary and secondary sources that describe the development of many of the best known natural (and in some cases man-made) features of the city.
Topics covered in this resource guide include:
Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division Reference Librarians
476 Fifth Avenue (42nd St and Fifth Ave)
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New York, NY 10018
Accessibility for Print Disabilities
For researchers with print disabilities, the Library has resources and services available upon request. The following services are available:
Digitization of Select Research Materials
Researchers who are homebound or have a print disability or visual impairment can explore many of our research collections online and request digitization of specific items of interest. To request the digitization service, email accessibility@nypl.org. Please note that you must be a patron of the Andrew Heiskell Library. This digitization service only includes material belonging to the research collections and does not apply to branch/circulating collections.
Screen Readers and Enlargers
Every public PC at all New York Public Library locations is equipped with JAWS screen reading software and MAGic software for enlarging the screen, changing colors and contrast, and screenreading.
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
The Andrew Heiskell Library offers popular reading materials in accessible audio and braille formats, as well as free membership to the Bookshare database of over one million accessible texts. It also offers individual coaching and a large variety of group workshops on topics related to accessible technology. Check the listings on our website, call 212-206-5400, or email talkingbooks@nypl.org
For more information, see the Accessibility at NYPL page.