Welcome to the Grand Central Library Newsletter, a monthly showcase of news, programs, and services offered by NYPL staff and partners. Our branch in Midtown East/Turtle Bay is conveniently accessible to both local residents and metro-area commuters.

In addition to diverse educational and cultural programming, the Grand Central Library offers computer services including free WiFi and power outlets, plentiful seating for individual and group work, and collections of print and non-print media for all ages. Grand Central is also home to idNYC and Single Stop services, both located on our 2nd floor.

Adult Events

e-Services Help

Fridays, 1 PM-2 PM | February 1, 8, 15, 22
Get started borrowing e-books on your tablet, smartphone, or e-reader. Learn how to take advantage of free access to books, films, magazines, and more from the comfort of your own home. Drop by the table near the front door with your device to get one-on-one help! 

Spanish Conversation Circle

Tuesdays, 1 PM-2 PM | February 5, 12, 19, 26
Are you looking to practice your Spanish language skills? If you are at an intermediate or high-beginner level, and would like to practice conversational Spanish, this meet-up is for you! One hour a week, you will join others to practice self-guided Spanish conversations with subject prompts. 

Filling our Hearts with Love Through Meditation

Tuesday, February 5 at 5:30 PM
Join long-time meditator and retired executive VP, Jim Rose, as he offers this engaging workshop on how to use the practice of meditation to transform the heart. He will explore how to incorporate more love and peace into your life, which can have a profound transformation on your overall well-being. Register by emailing LauraStein@NYPL.org.

Author Talk: The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World He Created 

Wednesday, February 6 at 6 PM
A must-see event for any sports fan! Jane Leavy, the award-winning, bestselling author of The Last Boy, and baseball legend Sandy Koufax, discuss Leavy's definitive biography of Babe Ruth, the man Roger Angell dubbed "the model for modern celebrity." Register by emailing JosephPascullo@NYPL.org.

Are you the most fabulous version of yourself, right now?

Thursday, February 7 at 6 PM
Come join Angela Fiorentino, beauty and image consultant, and president of Camouflage Coiffures. Angela's goal is to help men and women find, "fine tune," or completely change their image without losing the core of who they are. Bring your questions! Register by emailing LauraStein@NYPL.org.

Film Screening: Trois Couleurs: Blanc (Three Colors: White) (25th anniversary)

Tuesday, February 12 at 5:30 PM
Grand Central continues its screenings of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors films with Trois Couleurs: Blanc, the most playful but also the grittiest of the Three Colors films.

The Naming of Things: Guided Tours

Tuesday, February 19, 11 AM-12 PM
The Naming of Things: A Collaboration between Pratt Institute and New York Public Library. Curators and picture collection librarians will be available to talk about the exhibit and why it was created. Selections from the NYPL Picture Collection, on display now through March 2, 2019. 

Book Discussion: Angels in America by Tony Kushner

Tuesday, February 19, 6 PM-7 PM
Angels in America dramatizes the effects of AIDS on the United States through the experiences of lawyer Roy Cohn, a Mormon couple, and a young man named Prior Walter. This new edition of Tony Kushner's masterpiece is published with the author's recent changes and a new introduction celebrating the 20th anniversary of the play's original production. To find more book discussion groups at your neighborhood Library, you can browse groups here. 

Info Session: Education Opportunity with Pursuit

Wednesday, February 20, 6:00 PM-6:30 PM
Pursuit accepts around 300 fellows every year to receive free education and workforce support, to enter the field of computer programming. We provide 10 months of coding and professional skills training for participants to get their first tech job, followed by 36 months of career support. Register for this info session by emailing LauraStein@NYPL.org. Laptops will be available after the session for attendees to start working on their application.

Author Talk: The African Burial Ground with Andrea Frohne

Thursday, February 21 at 6 PM
In 1991, archaeologists in lower Manhattan unearthed a stunning discovery. Buried for more than 200 years was a communal cemetery containing the remains of up to 20,000 people. At roughly 6.6 acres, the African Burial Ground is the largest and earliest known burial space of African descendants in North America.

English for Heritage Language Speakers Info Session

Friday, February 22, 3:00 PM-5:30 PM
This program offers training in advanced English and career skills for U.S. citizens who have a college degree and are native speakers of any one of 21 different languages. After the eight-month program, participants work for the federal government for at least one year. Stop in to find out how you can have this opportunity for a brighter future.

Film Screening: Trois Couleurs: Rouge (Three Colors: Red) (25th anniversary)

Tuesday, February 26 at 5:30 PM
Grand Central concludes its screening of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors films trilogy in grand fashion, with an incandescent meditation on fate and chance. A model discovers her neighbor is keen on invading people's privacy.

Play Reading: Waiting by Shellen Lubin

Thursday, February 28 at 6 PM
Brought to the library by the League of Professional Theatre Women, this is a reading of a new play by Shellen Lubin.

Kids Programs

Early Literacy: Chinese New Year's Celebration

Monday, February 4th at 4 PM
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with a read-aloud, music, and other activities in English and Mandarin!

Computers 101

Wednesday, February 6 and 13 at 4 PM
Learn what a computer is and what it's not, how a computer "thinks," and more with hands-on crafts and activities! For ages 6-10. Please email allisonameduri@nypl.org to register.

Early Literacy: Baby Storytime

Tuesdays at 11 AM
A lap-sit storytime for children 18 months and younger. Grow your baby's early literacy skills by reading short books, singing songs, doing rhymes, and other interactive activities. You must register to attend.

To RSVP for Tuesday, February 5th, please click here on Friday, February 1st around noon.

To RSVP for Tuesday, February 12th, please click here on Thursday, February 7th around noon.

To RSVP for Tuesday, February 26th, please click here on Friday, February 22nd around noon.

Early Literacy: Toddler & Up Storytime

Thursdays at 11 AM | February 7, 14, 21, 28
Children 18 months and older can practice early literacy skills alongside their caregivers with interactive stories, action songs, and fun fingerplays, while also meeting others in the neighborhood.

Early Literacy: Japanese Bilingual Storytime

Monday, February 25 at 4 PM
Join an interactive Japanese and English storytime where we'll enjoy books, songs, and more! For all children, infants to 12 years of age.

Teen Programs

Retro Video Game Day

Fridays at 3:30 PM | February 1, 8, 15, 22
Join us every Friday at Grand Central for Retro Video Game Day. We'll provide those old school 8-, 16-, and 32-bit consoles, games, and controllers you all love. All you have to bring is you and your skills! Do you still have it? Come and find out!

Sonic Portraits

Friday, February 8 at 4 PM
Learn the relationship between visual arts and music composition by drawing a "Visual Score," which you can watch and hear come to life as it is drawn on an iPad. For ages 13-18. Presented by DJ SpazeCraft.

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