NYPL Connect: Be the First to Listen to Our New Album—Out Now!
The New York Public Library is excited to announce the release of our new album, Missing Sounds of New York, and we want you to be among the first to listen. A collection of audio landscapes that surround you with the familiar sounds of our normally bustling city, this album is our love letter to New York City and the New Yorkers who call it home. Whether you’re an essential worker on the front lines or a resident doing your part by staying home, we hope Missing Sounds of New York—and the array of other programs and services highlighted here—brings you some comfort during this difficult time.
In the Spotlight
First Listen: Missing Sounds of New York
Not so quiet, please, New York! We made an album called Missing Sounds of New York to bring the noise we miss back into our city. Until we can experience the real sounds of the city again for ourselves: stay safe—and be well. Listen now on our website, or Spotify users can listen on Spotify.
New: Be a Part of Our May Virtual Book Club
This month’s read in our new book club partnership with WNYC is the complex, much-anticipated My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. Throughout the month, join one of our librarian-led discussion groups, participate in online discussions with “Get Lit with All of It” host Alison Stewart, and tune in for a special live stream event and Q&A with author Kate Elizabeth Russell on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 PM. Download your copy of the novel today on our free SimplyE e-reader app—and learn more about how you can join the discussion.
Resources for Kids & Teens
Bonus Storytimes: Drag Queen Story Hour
In addition to our regularly scheduled online storytimes, posted every weekday at 10 AM, we’re pleased to now offer additional storytimes in partnership with Drag Queen Story Hour. In our latest installment, drag queen Yuhua Hamasaki reads The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian with illustrations by Mike Curato. Tune in to see what’s next and enjoy past storytimes from our branch librarians. For grades Pre-K–2.
Watch Animated Movies Online
Get access to fun and educational movies online with BrainPOP’s database of informative animated videos. Learn about a wide range of topics from a variety of subjects, from math and science to social studies, English, health, and technology. Each video comes with a host of supplemental learning material, so students can dive deep on any subject and you can plan lessons around them. For grades 3–8.
World Geography: Understanding a Changing World
This database is a one-stop shop for world geography topics, including history, economics, government, cultural studies, environmentalism, resource scarcity, and the impacts of technology around the globe. Find comprehensive overviews of different subjects, along with guides to help with reading, writing, researching, and developing critical thinking skills. For grades 9–12.
More Digital Resources
Read the Latest Issues of Popular Magazines
Looking for something new to read? With Flipster—available through the Library with your library card—you can view the latest editions of popular magazines for free from home without a subscription! Popular titles include The Atlantic, O: The Oprah Magazine, Sports Illustrated, English- and Spanish-language versions of People magazine, and much more. Read your favorite publications on desktop, or download the app for viewing on tablets and mobile devices. Check out everything Flipster has to offer.
Webinar: Getting Hired, Especially Now, by Making a Great First Impression!
Wednesday, May 6 | 1 PM
Career coach and recruiter Steven Davis presents a direct and insightful look into
giving the best possible impression to recruiters and hiring managers during this challenging job search time.
New & Noteworthy
These Housemates Are Real Characters
Dreaming of fantastical lands or being whisked away to another place? Be careful what you wish for! The New York Public Library has assembled some of the most iconic—and polarizing—characters from beloved books into their very own literary houses for you to agonize over. Four houses, five roommates, and only one choice: which literary house would you call home?
Feeling Nostalgia for the Subway? These Photos Might Help
We’re kicking off National Photography Month in May with a dive into our Digital Collections to revisit that New York City staple that some of us probably never thought we would miss: the subway. Our collections are rich with material about the much-loved (and much-maligned) New York City subway system, including a collection of photographs by Alen MacWeeney that capture the quirkiness, diversity, and grittiness of late 1970s New York.
Stuck at Home with a Children’s Librarian
Here are a few ideas from one of our children’s librarians to help inspire fun activities you can do with your little ones while at home.
Advice for Tackling Your TBR (To Be Read) Pile
Are you wrestling with your feelings about your TBR pile? Whether you’re plowing through it faster than usual—or don’t feel much like reading at all, our expert librarian has some tips.
Downloadable Activities to Do at Home
Relax with bookish coloring sheets or keep your mind nimble with crosswords and word searches celebrating NYPL—there’s plenty you can do with these downloadable activities, courtesy of the Library Shop.
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Read E-Books with SimplyE
With your library card, it's easier than ever to choose from more than 300,000 e-books on SimplyE, The New York Public Library's free e-reader app. Gain access to digital resources for all ages, including e-books, audiobooks, databases, and more.
If you don’t have an NYPL library card, New York State residents can apply for a digital card online or through SimplyE (available on the App Store or Google Play).
Need more help? Read our guide to using SimplyE.