Library Blog

Ecstasy is a Glass Full of Tea

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

“Ecstasy is a glass full of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth."
- Alexander Pushkin

Some may substitute “coffee” for tea in Pushkin’s sentiment, but since January 2017 both may be found in the Reference Room between 3:00 and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Over the past six months we’ve enjoyed seeing members get to know each other and sit contemplatively over a warm cup, brought together by this small ritual. If you haven’t stopped by the Reference Room yet for teatime, our invitation still stands!

Below, some regular visitors to teatime share what they enjoy about it:

Since I joined the New York Society Library, teatime has helped me to find friends and share with them the ups and downs of my work. I am always looking forward to it when I work in the Library. I hope this tradition continues and grows to build a community of all these wonderful people working in the Library.
- Maryam Sami

I didn't think my writing haven could get more civilized than it already is. Teatime is wonderful. It provides the perfect break in the day.
- Cynthia Hanson

I used the reference room at the Library as a student more than fifty years ago. Now I have done work there for a new writing project. The tea at 3 PM has perked me up, and my wife thinks it is delightful. Thank you.
- John Liebmann

The introduction of teatime has transformed my experience of working at the Library, for now, coupled with the cool quiet of the reading rooms there is also a space for conversation and to get to know other Library members. Teatime offers the opportunity to make friends, feel more a part of the Library community, and return to work feeling refreshed and ready to concentrate again.
- Zareen Sethna

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