Electronic Resources
It's so great that NY Times is offering
free access to much of its content on their site. I think everyone should have access to information, regardless of how much money they can spend, which is where public libraries come into the conversation.
New Yorkers also have access to this content (and everything the Times hasn't made available on their website), through NYPL's subscription databases. NYPL doesn't offer Historical NY Times from home, but 1995-present is available from home, and the archives back to 1851 are available from any branch or research library (I believe you also have access if you're using a NYPL wireless network).
You will need your library barcode to access the databases from home, but with your barcode you'll not only have access to NY Times, you'll also have access to tens of thousands of other newspapers, magazines and journals (mostly full-text).
Some of my favorites of the databases New Yorkers can access from home include Academic Search Premier, Biography Resource Center, Business Source Premier, Encyclopedia Britannica and ERIC.
So New Yorkers-- your tax money is already paying for these magazine, newspaper & journal subscriptions. Take advantage of it.