The staff and patrons at the 53rd Street Library have embarked on an ambitious project to fold 1,000 paper cranes by International Day of Peace, which is September 21.  

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr 

The idea was inspired by the children's book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.  The book is the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese child who lived through the atomic bomb drop.  She developed leukemia 10 years later, a result of radiation exposure.  From her hospital room, she began folding paper cranes in hopes of getting well, based on the Japanese legend that says anyone who folds 1,000 will be granted a wish.  Unfortunately, Sadako passed away on October 25, 1955 and she was buried with the 1,000 cranes.

In 1958 a statue of Sadako holding a paper crane was added to the Hiroshima Peace Park.  Today people from around the world send cranes to be added to the park.

At this point in time, the 53rd Street Library has folded over 400 cranes.  Patrons of all ages have contributed, from children as young as four all the way up to senior citizens.  The cranes will be hung in the branch when they are finished.  

More information about how to fold cranes and similar projects on this related post.