Four of our branches (Aguilar, Fort Washington, Inwood, and Morrisania) have been selected from hundreds of libraries in the city as finalists for the NYC Neighborhood Library Awards. Nearly 19,000 nominations were submitted this year, and our library system could not have been successful without the support of our patrons.

The prize, a $20,000 grant, will help these library branches expand the programs that improve lives and combat inequality in their community. Our libraries are putting these funds right back into our system to serve the patrons who make it so worthwhile to do the work that we do.

We hope that you will join us in thanking the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Charles H. Revson Foundation for funding this generous initiative. The prizes, given out by a panel of judges, will be announced in June.

Here are a few of the reasons why people nominated their NYPL branches:

Aguilar Library – East Harlem (Manhattan)
Afrah, a college graduate and lifelong neighborhood resident wrote: “Throughout high school and college, having a limited income and not being able to afford books, this branch helped me overcome that setback. Statistics show that I could have been a high school dropout, chances are my life could be much worse....if it were not for my thirst of knowledge and my passion for reading, it really is hard to say what my life could have been.”

Fort Washington Library – Washington Heights (Manhattan)
A recent retiree and neighborhood resident stated: “As a recent retiree the library is my source of helping my mind [stay] sharp and alert. My weekly visit is something I look forward to. There are no book stores in this area of Manhattan. Access to periodicals and newly released books is a refreshing welcome.”

Inwood Library – Inwood (Manhattan)
Sophie, a library volunteer and parent, stated: “The Inwood Library is always involved in the community, making its programs known, catering to both English, Spanish speakers, and beyond! When I approached the library about starting a new francophone toddler reading hour, the branch manager welcome me, partnered me with a tenured volunteer, and a library staff member has been working diligently to build the francophone children's section!”

Morrisania Library – South Bronx (Bronx)
A parent and community group member stated: “This library has a great computer class. I was completely computer illiterate and this library has taught me to have confidence in my new found skills. I also like the bilingual class and parent child classes. I think this library deserves the money in every way possible.”