The New York Public Library Featured in One-Hour Documentary Film Premiering on Public Television in February 2007

Thirteen/WNET New York to Present The People's Palace in New York Metro Area on February 22, 2007 at 9:00 P.M.

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THE PEOPLE'S PALACE, a profile of The New York Public Library, traces the Library's history and growth while exploring many of its remarkable treasures and innovative new features. While the library is continually updating its extensive historic holdings, this valuable community resource is also looking firmly toward the future.

From the quiet grandeur of the Rose Main Reading Room to the boisterous hum of a children’s reading hour at the Chatham Square Branch Library in Lower Manhattan, The New York Public Library comes alive in all of its complexity in a new one-hour documentary film premiering on public television in February. The People’s Palace, a production of Kunhardt Productions and Thirteen/WNET New York, paints a sweeping portrait of the Library, focusing on its history, its collections and research centers, and the individuals—past and present—charged with upholding its mission of collecting, preserving, and making accessible to a wide public the materials of human culture. The picture that emerges is one of a vibrant, dynamic institution with a rich history that constantly looks toward the future and embraces new technologies that keep it at the forefront of information resources. The film will air on Thirteen/WNET New York on February 22 at 9:00 p.m. in the New York Metro area, and at other times in February across the nation (check local listings).

“I’m really pleased that the Library’s story has been told so powerfully in this wonderful new film,” said Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library. “The People’s Palace will remind all who see it that libraries are central to a democratic society and that The New York Public Library is emblematic of that noble function.”

Officials such as Catherine C. Marron, Library Chairman; David Ferriero, Andrew W. Mellon Director and Chief Executive of the Research Libraries; and Susan Kent, Director and Chief Executive of the Branch Libraries join Dr. LeClerc in on-camera interviews in which they detail the history of the institution and reveal how an organization of its size and scope works day-to-day. The documentary also features academics, independent scholars, and everyday users of the Library who explain why they regard the New York Public Library as an important information and community resource.

Among the many treasures from the Library’s collections that are featured in the documentary are the copy of the Declaration of Independence in Thomas Jefferson’s own handwriting; the hand-marked copy of A Christmas Carol used by Charles Dickens for his public readings; and a notebook from 1757 that belonged to George Washington and which contains his recipe for homemade beer. In addition to numerous neighborhood branch libraries, each of the Library’s four research libraries is featured in the documentary: the Humanities and Social Sciences Library; The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and the Science, Industry and Business Library.

The People’s Palace is produced, directed, and written by Graham Judd. Executive producers are William R. Grant and Peter W. Kunhardt. Major funding for The People’s Palace was provided by The Robertson Foundation and The Sidney Frank Foundation. Additional funding was provided by Arlyn & Edward L. Gardner, Rosalind P. Walter, Andrea Hope Smith, and John L. and Sue Ann Weinberg. It premieres February 2007 and will be distributed nationwide by American Public Television.

About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library was created in 1895 with the consolidation of the private libraries of John Jacob Astor and James Lenox with the Samuel Jones Tilden Trust. The Library provides free and open access to its physical and electronic collections and information, as well as to its services. It comprises four research centers – The Humanities and Social Sciences Library; The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and the Science, Industry and Business Library – and 86 Branch Libraries in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Research and circulating collections combined total more than 50 million items, including materials for the visually impaired. In addition, each year the Library presents thousands of exhibitions and public programs, which include classes in technology, literacy, and English as a second language. The New York Public Library serves over 15 million patrons who come through its doors annually and another 21 million users internationally, who access collections and services through the NYPL website, www.nypl.org.

About Thirteen/WNET New York
Thirteen/WNET New York is one of the key program providers for public television, bringing such acclaimed series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, Wide Angle, Secrets of the Dead, NOW With David Brancaccio, and Cyberchase – as well as the work of Bill Moyers– to audiences nationwide.  As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week, airing the best of American public television along with its own local productions such as The Ethnic Heritage Specials, The Thirteen Walking Tours, New York Voices, and Reel New York.  Thirteen extends the impact of its television productions through educational and community outreach projects – including the Celebration of Teaching and Learning – as well as Web sites and other digital media platforms.  More information can be found at:  www.thirteen.org.

About Kunhardt Productions
For nearly 20 years, Kunhardt Productions has been responsible for critically acclaimed historical programming with a reputation for high editorial standards.  In addition to Oprah’s Roots, most recently Kunhardt Productions co-produced African American Lives (2006) for PBS.  Previously, the company produced Freedom: A History of US, an eight-hour PBS series based upon Joy Hakim’s award-winning books.  Other notable works from Kunhardt Productions include Lincoln, a four-hour series for ABC; In Memoriam, a one-hour co-production with HBO about Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and The American President, a 10-hour PBS series profiling all forty-one presidents of the United States.

About American Public Television
For 45 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations. APT is known for its leadership in identifying innovative, worthwhile and viewer-friendly programming. It has established a tradition of providing public television stations with program choices that strengthen and customize their schedules, such as America's Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Battlefield Britain, The Big Comfy Couch, Globe Trekker, Great Museums, Lidia's Family Table, Rick Steves' Europe, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, andother prominent documentaries, dramatic series, how-to programs and classic movies. For more information about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

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