For all books are divisible into two classes: the books of the hour, and the books of all time. Mark this distinction - it is not one of quality only. It is not merely the bad book that does not last, and the good one that does. It is a distinction of species. There are good books for the hour, and good ones for all time; bad books for the hour, and bad ones for all time.

John Ruskin (1819-1900); Sesame and Lilies

[Gregg LeFevre Signature]

The Library Walk, is a venture launched in 1996 by the New York Public Library, Grand Central Partnership and New Yorker Magazine, in which are embedded in bronze plaques quotes from well-known books, or those dealing with books and literature. The panels designed by artist Gregg LeFevre were laid in 1998 from the New York Public Library building along 41st Street.

The plaque contains a quote from the book in which the lectures of the British art critic John Ruskin. Lectures in which he brought his worldview on where women should be a moral compass for men, and on their parents to educate them in this way. Which years later provoked the wrath of the feminist movement which saw in the ideas of oppression of women by men.

The quote quoted is not related to the social issue, but speaks to books. The hourglass shown on the plaque symbolizes the concept of "books per hour" and "eternal books."