(via) The famously beautiful and bustling (yet hypnotically tranquil) Rose Reading Room inside the New York City Public Library reopened last week after extensive renovations, which meant that all of its 52,000 books needed to be re-shelved. It took over two days to do the job, and this two minute videos details the process in rhythmic time-lapse.

This public library, the greatest of public libraries in the world, is the foundation stone of a learned, informed, civil society. … It is the institution open to all, ensuring that all can come and learn from our great collections and our great staff … It is the basis of the democracy that we must continue to replenish. It is the institution committed to inclusion and opportunity … This Room is the symbolic center of that basic commitment, the values of openness and opportunity, of inclusion. This great space, the greatest public room in this city, is now reopened to all.