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Census Day is here. As our communities feel the impact of COVID-19, it’s more crucial than ever that every New Yorker fill out the Census and get counted. 

An accurate count of New York City’s population ensures that government leaders at every level invest in your needs—especially in emergencies like this one. Census 2020 response rates will determine government decisions about New York City for the next 10 years, including how much money New Yorkers receive out of billions of dollars in federal funding for healthcare, schools, and housing, among other resources. 

Encouraging an accurate count for the 2020 Census is just one way that the Library is committed to helping communities across New York City during this difficult time. To further assist New Yorkers in need, we are also compiling helpful and trusted Community Support Resources to make sure that New Yorkers everywhere have access to the information they need to get through this challenging moment.

In the Spotlight

The Census Counts More Than Ever

Filling out the 2020 Census is fast, easy, and confidential. In as little as 10 minutes, you can help determine the funding and Congressional representation New York will receive for the next 10 years. Visit the Census website linked above or call (844) 330-2020 to respond today.

Title: Kids Count Too

Did you know that kids are one of the most underrepresented groups in Census data? Get downloadable coloring books for kids from the U.S. Census Bureau that emphasize the importance of everyone getting counted in the Census. Available in both English and Spanish. Grades Pre-K–2.

Community Support Resources

The Library is here to help communities find important resources they need to navigate these difficult times. Find services and information about jobs and personal finance, health and wellness, food resources, housing, and more. 

How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus

Find resources and information on talking about coronavirus with your children and teens from our partners and outside organizations. There are resources for each age group, along with multilingual resources. All grade levels.

More Resources for Kids & Teens

Bring American History to Life with FreedomFlix

FreedomFlix is a resource from Scholastic that provides engaging materials for kids about a wide range of topics related to American history. Use video clips and e-books, with popup features such as maps, timelines, virtual tour clips, primary source videos, and audio clips to help supplement learning at home. Available with a library card, for grades 4–9.

Support Distance Learning

The New York Public Library offers access to over 800 learning aids and databases for free with your library card, many of which are available from home. While engaging in distance learning due to school closures, these resources may be useful for both educators and students.

Learning

Webinar: COVID-19 Support for Small Business Owners and Freelancers, Part One

Wednesday, April 1 | 4:30 PM
Summary: Has your business been affected by COVID-19? Whether you have a brick-and-mortar small business or you've been working remotely as a freelancer, there is help for you from the Small Business Administration. Join us for this free, two-part webinar where you'll learn about government-issued, low-interest loans for concerned business owners. 

Webinar: How to Build a Professional Website in 5 Days

Thursday, April 2 | 1 PM
Summary: Join us for this online masterclass with Lori Reeves, web designer and small business consultant, who will share her secrets for making her clients' websites stand out while achieving great functionality. You'll learn how you can build your website in just five days with Reeves walking you through the process step-by-step. 

New & Noteworthy

Celebrate National Poetry Month with #PocketPoems 

Each year, to celebrate National Poetry Month and Poem in Your Pocket Day, The New York Public Library asks poets to contribute short poems that we share with you. This year, we're going digital—to celebrate our 125th anniversary, we asked poets to respond in verse to images from our Digital Collections. We'll share one every day on our social feeds, so be sure to check back.

The Results Are In: Literary March Madness, Book Series Edition

We’re sad to say it, but Literary March Madness is over. See who you and readers like you crowned the victor in this year’s tournament.

Bookriot: 10 Best Bookish Podcasts for Distancing Yourself from the News

Tune out your stress and instead tune in to these bookish podcasts, including our very own The Librarian Is In, hosted by Frank Collerius and Rhonda Evans.

You’re Not Alone: Mental Health Reads

Great books remind us that we’re not alone in challenging times.

Explore Your NYC Neighborhood...Virtually

Missing walking your local streets? Here are some tools that let you explore your neighborhood from the safety of home.

Free Online Language Learning Resources for Kids

Check out these free sites featuring games, puzzles, stories, and more designed to help children learn and practice languages. Don’t worry, you can use them, too!

The Online Resources Librarians Love

Here’s a short list of some favorite resources—all of which are available from home with your NYPL library card—from the research librarians of The New York Public Library.

Tribute to Teresa Mlawer: Exceptional Hispanic Translator and Author of Children's Books

A brief selection of popular bilingual e-books for kids translated by the distinguished Cuban author.

Go on (Digital) Marvel Adventures—from Home!

Are you waiting for the next Marvel movie? While you wait, you can download and read Marvel comics on your computer, using your New York Public Library card.

I Watched the Tiger King Documentary Series in One Day. Then I Needed to Learn More.

Take a deeper dive into the Netflix documentary with the Library’s digital resources.
 

Don't Miss

E-Books & Audiobooks

SimplyE, the Library’s free e-reader app, makes it easy to browse, borrow, and read more than 300,000 e-books with your library card. Plus, New York state residents who don’t have a library card can sign up for one through SimplyE.

Resources for Kids & Teens

Get vital digital tools for learners of all ages—including access to free, online homework help from one-on-one tutors, daily from 2 PM to 11 PM through our partnership with Brainfuse. Find read-alouds, engaging activites, and more.