New York City’s three library systems are giving away 15,000 books for families to keep this summer. The giveaway is part of the libraries’ annual summer reading and learning programs. These programs encourage children and teens to read books to develop and maintain critical thinking skills over the summer.
“At The New York Public Library, we are dedicated to ensuring every New Yorker has access to the transformative power of books," said Anthony W. Marx, President of The New York Public Library. "It is a unique privilege to support children and teens on their reading journey, providing them with wonderful stories that inspire and educate them.”
Books for children and teens will be available at select branches on July 28 and 29. Throughout the weekend, while supplies last, young readers can pick up books to keep at home and sign up for a library card to continue reading all year long.
The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), the New York Public Library (NYPL), and the Queens Public Library (QPL) are hosting the giveaway in partnership with the New York Life Foundation. This is the fifth summer the New York Life Foundation has provided support for Summer Reading and Learning programs for New York City’s Libraries. It is estimated that summer breaks cause the average student to lose up to two months of instruction per year, with students from low-income families disproportionately affected.
“Summer Reading programs promote children’s literacy and academic skills and help prevent learning loss during the summer months. This is especially important for low-income families that have limited access to affordable and quality summer programs,” said Marlyn Torres, senior program officer, New York Life Foundation. “With a goal of combating summer learning loss in children who are at the greatest risk of experiencing the "summer slide," the libraries’ annual summer reading and learning programs help young people stay excited and engaged in learning so they can begin the school year in September on-track and better prepared to learn.”
Books will be available in English and Spanish. In select locations, books will be available in Chinese as well. The initiative builds on the Libraries' efforts to support New Yorkers in need and includes locations near Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRC) or shelters, which have seen an increase in residents, particularly asylum seekers.
“We know that growing up reading and with access to books has a powerful impact on an individual’s future success, and we are excited to help families build their own libraries at home,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “And we are grateful to the New York Life Foundation for their generous support as we work to instill a lifelong love of reading in children and teens and ensure they continue to develop their literacy skills during the summer months.”
Giveaway locations and hours
Brooklyn Public Library
Friday July 28, 12 to 3 p.m.
- Kensington Library, 4207 18TH Ave
- Crown Heights Library, 560 New York Avenue
- Saratoga Library at Saratoga Park, 112 Howard Avenue
- Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue
Saturday July 29, 12 to 3 p.m.
- East Flatbush Library, 9612 Church Avenue
- McKinley Park Library, 6802 Fort Hamilton Library
The New York Public Library
Friday and Saturday July 28 and 29, 12 to 3 p.m.
Manhattan
- 53rd Street Library, 18 W 53rd Street
- Columbus Library, 742 10th Avenue
- Epiphany Library, 228 E 23rd Street
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, 455 5th Avenue
Staten Island
- Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd
Bronx
- Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Road
- Sedgwick Library, 1701 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
- Wakefield Library, 4100 Lowerre Place
Queens Public Library
Friday July 28 12 to 3 p.m.
- Arverne Library, 312 Beach 54 Street
- Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd
- Corona Library, 38-23 104 Street
- Flushing Library, 41-17 Main Street
