During the temporary closure of our physical locations, The New York Public Library has continued to serve patrons online with a growing array of offerings for all ages. On Monday, July 13, we will gradually begin reopening our physical locations, starting with eight branches that will offer limited grab-and-go service. Patrons can already begin reserving items for pickup at these eight libraries by placing materials on hold via our online catalog. Read on for more details and to learn more about placing holds and what to expect when visiting one of our open locations.

As we begin our phased reopening, we will continue to offer our full range of online programs, events, and resources. This week’s highlights include a new online exhibition from the Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, an exciting series of programming from our Library for the Performing Arts, and new ways to explore NYC's cultural institutions with Culture Pass. Find a wide array of reading recommendations, programs, events, and resources below!

In the Spotlight

What You Need to Know: Grab-and-Go Service

Beginning Monday, July 13, when eight of our branch locations reopen for grab-and-go service as part of our gradual reopening, patrons will once again be able to borrow physical materials by reserving them online and selecting one of the eight branches for pickup. Need help with placing holds to request books and other items? This guide will show you how to find materials in our catalog, reserve them by placing them on hold, and manage any existing holds you may have been waiting for before our temporary closure. You’ll also find everything you'll need to know about visiting one of our eight locations to pick up your items safely and efficiently. Check it out and start requesting books and other materials today!

New Online Exhibition: Freedom's Founders

When Thomas Jefferson proclaimed that “all men are created equal," the claim fell woefully short for people of African descent, both those in bondage and those who were marginally free. To mark the July 4 holiday, the Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture curated this online exhibition to honor the abolitionists and activists who fought for the freedom of Black people in America. Explore historic images from our Digital Collections, revisit Frederick Douglass's “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July,” plus discover recent programs and more.

Join Our July Book Club

This month’s read in our book club partnership with WNYC is Colson Whitehead’s latest novel, The Nickel Boys, which won the Pulitzer Prize this year and is also featured on the Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List. Throughout the month, join one of our librarian-led reading groups, participate in online discussions with Get Lit with All of It host Alison Stewart, and tune in for a special livestream event and Q&A with the author himself on Tuesday, July 29 at 7 PM. Download your copy of the novel today on our free e-reader app, SimplyE—no holds, no waiting—and learn more about how you can join the discussion. Download SimplyE and start reading today! 

Virtual Programs & Events

Films with the Schomburg

Thursday, July 9 | 6:30 PM
Join THIRTEEN and the Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture for a virtual screening of Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, followed by a panel discussion featuring Stanley Nelson, director and producer, along with Erin Davis, son of Miles Davis, and Vince Wilburn, nephew of Miles Davis. The panel discussion will be moderated by Shola Lynch, a curator at the Schomburg Center. Presented in partnership with THIRTEEN In The Community public screenings.

New Online Programs from the Library for the Performing Arts

Join the Library for the Performing Arts online with a new series of live, virtual conversations and performances featuring noteworthy artists, authors, and scholars. Next week, explore the legacy of Shakespeare in the Park with Kenneth Turan, author of Free for All: Joe Papp, The Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told, legendary composer David Amram, and The Public Theater’s current Mobile Unit Director, Karen Ann Daniels. Plus, sign up to hear author Karen Greenspan on Bhutanese Dance or discover an innovative performance and retrospective of influential composer Anthony Braxton. Check out upcoming events from the Library for the Performing Arts for all things dance, theater, music, and recorded sound.

Explore the City Online with Culture Pass

This summer, the Library is joining our partners at Culture Pass to bring the city's museums and theaters to you through their Virtual Community Programming series. Between now and August 31, you'll be able to take in some experimental theater from the comfort of your couch, enjoy an art-making activity with the whole family, go on a digital tour of a museum you've always been meaning to visit, and much more!  

For Kids & Teens

Don't Miss: Summer Reading Virtual Summer Camp

Join The New York Public Library this summer for our six-week Virtual Summer Camp program. Every week, kids and students of all ages, and their families, can find a new batch of fun, hands-on activities that promote learning, reading, and creativity—and can all be done from home. Want to stay up-to-date with all our Summer Camp activities? Sign up for our weekly NYPL Kids e-newsletter and never miss out on the fun.

Introducing STEAM Storytimes

Starting this month, the Library’s online storytime series offers special “STEAM” storytimes, including fun ideas from the worlds of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. These stories help kids to explore topics like the five senses, movement, color, sound, and more. Look for a new STEAM storytime every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, plus suggested activities, all summer long. You can also watch storytimes on demand on our website.

Last Chance! Download Shuri: A Black Panther Novel

Kids can visit Wakanda and the world of Black Panther from home—but time is running out! The Library's universal access to the e-book edition of Nic Stone's Shuri: A Black Panther Novel ends this week. Join Shuri—scientist, warrior, princess—on a quest to save Wakanda in this all-new adventure and download the book today through our free e-reader app, SimplyE.

One-on-One College & Career Counseling

If you need help preparing to apply for college, The New York Public Library offers resources and programs to help teens on their path to higher education. Now you can sign up to chat one-on-one with a College and Career Pathways librarian online and get personalized guidance on what your next steps should be. 

Community Resources

Career Coaching Panel: Tips for Looking for Work During Turbulent Times

Thursday, July 9 | 12 Noon
A panel of career coaches shares best practices for job search and their perspectives on what to consider when conducting a job search campaign in the current market. The discussion includes how to look for companies that are hiring, what employers are looking for in candidates, the best way to network now for the future, and how to prepare for interviews. A Q&A session will be held at the end of the program. Bring your questions!

Webinar: New & Innovative Ways to Promote Your Business in These Times

Thursday, July 9 | 6 PM
Join best-selling author and innovation guru Bryan Mattimore for this insightful and entertaining webinar as he shares real-world case studies and original creative techniques for successfully pivoting your business in “the new normal.” In this session you will discover how you can generate innovative ideas to promote your business’s products and services, figure out which trends you can leverage, and learn proven creative techniques that you and your team can implement to successfully promote your business. This program is part of our Small Business: Reopen & Rebound series.

New & Noteworthy

Book Lists for Young Readers to Celebrate National Caribbean American Heritage Month

In June, we celebrated National Caribbean American Heritage Month, honoring the impact and contributions Caribbean Americans have made to American society and culture, with new book lists for kids and teens. These titles (many available as e-books) explore the Caribbean American experience and introduce young readers to notable Caribbean Americans.

The New York Times: We Got ‘Hamilton.’ Why Can’t We Stream Every Broadway Show?

Get an inside look at the Billy Rose Theatre Division at the Library for the Performing Arts. Director of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive Patrick Hoffman was interviewed about the Library's collection of live theater recordings as part of a look into the complexities of streaming Broadway shows like Hamilton. 

Special Episode! The Librarian Is In, Ep. 167: TRANSforming the Literary Landscape

Join us as Frank and Rhonda chat with fellow NYPL librarian Ellen MacInnis to discuss the TRANSform NYPL project and share some books recommendations from the Library's comprehensive book list highlighting trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming voices.

Celebrating Black Writers for Immigrant Heritage Month

June was Immigrant Heritage Month—a time to highlight incredible immigrant authors who are creating stories that often span across countries, mixing in memories of where they are coming from with the experiences of where they are now. As we reflect on this year’s Immigrant Heritage Month, check out these titles by Black immigrant authors who are writing poignant and intricate stories informed by their experiences.

Staff Picks for a Summer of Reading

We predict this will be a summer of reading for many people. Whether you're getting away or, more likely, staying close to home, we have a new batch of summer Staff Picks—96 genre-spanning books—to share with you. 

What Paul Yoon Is Reading

Paul Yoon, winner of NYPL’s Young Lions Fiction Award in 2014 for his novel Snow Hunters, shares his reading list for his students at the Michener Center for Writers.

Celebrating 125 Years of The New York Public Library

Throughout 2020, the Library is celebrating the 125th anniversary of our founding, from anniversary book lists to author talks, storytimes, a limited-edition MetroCard—and even a special anniversary lighting of the Empire State Building on May 23 in honor of the Library’s birthday. Learn more about the Library's legacy and anniversary.

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