Gothamist has a sexy series of photographs of the New York Public Library up. They lead off with Charles Dickens’ letter opener, made from the paw of one of his favorite old cats, but we don’t have to. Photos also include highlights of its collection, conservators at work, and the Allen Room—a sanctuary for authors with book contracts. Also included is a link to photos of the old Croton Reservoir system, which originally collected at a site under the present library at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, extending northward and passing close enough to Like Fire headquarters that we walk by old Gate House #5 every morning.

(Photo of the main NYPL reading room by Jake Dobkin/Gothamist.)