These lion heads are details on an antique piece that houses a small portion of the Strand's rare and signed book section, and are reminiscent of the infamous lions that flank the main staircase leading into the main branch of the New York Public Library. Here, on the Strand's third floor, they watch over a very special team of bibliophiles.

Long hours are spent here, bracing, rebuilding and reinforcing the paper, stitching, glue and leather to bring old classics and modern favorites back to life, preserving the words and ideas they contain for yet another generation of book lovers and collectors. The atmosphere on this floor is one of hushed reverence - away from the crowds of book browsers on the lower floors, this space exudes the air of a literary museum displaying the works of ages long past.