Below is the east side (Fifth Avenue) and entrance to one of the world's greatest libraries and a stellar example of Beaux-Arts architecture: one of the four research libraries of the New York Public Library. This one is the mother ship and was built between 1897 and 1911. (Did you want speed or accuracy?) The lions, currently named Patience and Fortitude, guard the entrance. No one has stolen the entrance since they took up their posts. Few books leave here as well: Upon request, closed stacks disgorge books in pneumatic tubes to be browsed in one of the building's many stunning reading rooms. NYPL's four research libraries house 49 million items making it second only to the Library of Congress in stuff stored in the U.S. (And you thought your attic was a mess!)
Below, Sculptor Edward Clay Potter's lion Patience rears his Tennessee Marble-maned head in front of the entablature (that row with statues at the top of the building rising above the Corinthian columns). Tablet between the statues pay homage to the three origins of the NYPL: The original Astor library, the Lenox rare book collection on what is now the site of the Frick Collection, and former NY governor (and failed presidential candidate) Tilden's trust left to create a public library.
Lots more pictures of this building (including some historical shots) are available by clicking here.