As we head into the fall, after months of experiencing so much uncertainty, I want to assure you that one thing remains the same: The New York Public Library is here for you—now, and always. Especially now that the school year is beginning, we know how important it is to make education and information available to all New Yorkers, no matter the circumstances. We've now opened more than half of our locations for grab-and-go service to better serve students and adults in these tough times. We've also expanded our online offerings to support your needs this season—whether you have a child doing remote or blended learning, or you’re looking to enrich your own knowledge. Read on for back-to-school tools, activities, resources, and more designed to support the success of you and your loved ones. The coming months will be different, and at times it will be very hard on all of us, but we are committed to making sure that New Yorkers of all ages across the city feel confident about the year ahead.

Keep an eye out for more exciting resources this fall, including our newest anniversary book list, this time made just for teens. And be sure to check out the Schomburg Center Literary Festival, which is being hosted completely digitally so you can tune in from anywhere. Whether in person or in our virtual spaces, I hope to see you at the Library soon. Stay safe.

Tony

Anthony W. Marx
President, The New York Public Library

P.S. If you haven’t already taken the 2020 Census, please take a moment to do so now, because time is running out. With only two weeks left, it’s so important for our city, and it affects you in more ways than you might think. 

Back to School

Remote Learning Resources from NYPL

The Library has everything students and teachers need for remote learning. Check out activities and daily online storytimes for younger readers. Get ambitious in your high school projects using our vast online databases. Explore live author talks and enrichment activities for kids of all ages. Plus, learn more about accessing free, personalized homework help. Grab your library card—or sign up for one using our free e-reader app, SimplyE—and discover what the Library offers to support you this academic year.

Access Remote One-on-One Tutoring 

The Library offers free online one-on-one tutoring and homework help for students navigating new challenges this school year. Kids and teens in grades K–12 can access tutoring seven days a week in everything from first-grade math to advanced algebra, available in both English and Spanish. Brainfuse also offers a bank of videos, activities, a writing lab, and many other resources—all available to students 24/7.

Always Available: E-Books & More for Students

Find e-books and other resources that are always available to borrow for kids or students, no matter their age! From picture books for preschoolers to college and career prep for teens, these titles can be accessed at any time—no wait times required. Classrooms can even check them out simultaneously, so every kid can be on the same page. Find the perfect supplement to your new blended learning environment and help students get excited for a new year of books and learning.

Book List: Teacher-Themed Reads

Channel the nostalgia back-to-school season inspires with these YA and adult titles about educators: the inspirational teachers that are hard to forget, their adventures in education, and the lasting bonds they create with students.

Early Literacy Tools for the Youngest Learners

School isn't the only place kids can get inspired to learn. If you're looking after a baby, toddler, or preschooler, the Library has a wide array of resources to keep your child entertained and engaged. Start developing your young one’s essential language skills with these early literacy activities.

Featured Events

Reserve Your Spot: The Schomburg Center Literary Festival

Lift Every Voice | Thursday, September 17
Literary Festival | September 21–26
This year, the Schomburg Center Literary Festival goes digital with an exciting lineup of virtual events spanning six days, including author talks and book discussions for kids and adults. Check out the full schedule, featuring writers Roxane Gay, Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., Dean Atta, and more. Can't wait to check it out? Register for the Schomburg Center's pre-festival event, Lift Every Voice: 250 Years of African American Poetic Traditions, celebrating the launch of a new poetry collection edited by Schomburg Center Director Kevin Young.

20th Annual Young Lions Fiction Award

Thursday, September 17 | 3 PM
Don't miss the announcement of the winner of the 20th annual Young Lions Fiction Award! This year, each of the five finalists sat down for a one-on-one interview to discuss their nominated work and writing process. Tune in for the final interview, then join a celebration of the authors, their works, and the impact the Fiction Award has had on the literary community for the past 20 years, as the winner is revealed!

Your Community

Only 2 Weeks to Go! Take the Census Today

If you've been meaning to fill out the 2020 Census, don't wait any longer! The new census deadline is just two weeks away and NYC is trailing behind the national average response rate. We won't get another chance to help New York get the funding and congressional representation we need for another 10 years. How is your neighborhood measuring up? Check out New York's census response rates and learn more about getting us to a full count.

Who We Are: The Census and Identity in New York City

Thursday, September 17 | 6 PM
Join educators from the Museum of the City of New York for an exploration of the census in New York City and why an accurate count is vital to the future of our city. During the session, we will also examine artworks that use data from the Census Bureau to help us find new ways to look at identity across the five boroughs.

Welcoming Week: Creating Home Together 

Join the Library in greeting prospective citizens and newcomers to the U.S. with a wide array of resources presented in honor of Welcoming Week 2020. To mark the occasion, discover a new online art exhibition curated by NYPL librarians exploring this year’s theme, "Creating Home Together," featuring work by eight local artists that examines concepts of home, migration, change, and safety. Plus, check out everything the Library offers to create a supportive environment for all, including study materials for the citizenship exam, bilingual storytimes for families, virtual programming to practice language skills, and more.

More Events & Resources

September Read: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett 

Our September book club pick, Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half, is now available to download instantly on our free e-reader app, SimplyE—no holds or waiting required. Dive into Bennett's latest novel with our virtual branch discussion groups and Twitter chats, and don't miss our culminating event on October 1 for a chance to talk to the New York Times bestselling author herself. Download her book today on SimplyE to get started!
Download on SimplyE for iOS | Download on SimplyE for Android

Analytics for Business Owners

Thursday, September 17 | 6 PM
Harness the power of online mapping, analytics, and data visualization for business marketing using resources offered for free by the Library. Join us for this two-part webinar and you'll have a great tool at your disposal to help you find what you're looking for.

Virtual Interviewing and the Elevator Pitch

Friday, September 18 | 12 Noon
Join career coach and recruiter Steven Davis for a discussion of elevator pitch techniques and best practices for virtual interviewing. The global pandemic has changed how we do our jobs in many ways, including the hiring process. We only have one chance to make that first impression, and it will likely be through a video camera or phone. Find out how to make the most of these opportunities.

Taking Your Talents to Work: Is Freelancing for You?

Monday, September 21 | 6 PM
Even before COVID-19, the labor market was shifting toward a leaner full-time workforce supplemented with independent contractors and temporary workers—it’s expected that the pandemic will accelerate that process, resulting in the growth of “just-in-time” employees. Contract work may open doors for the older candidate—but is it for everyone? Join career development coach Dr. Rita Carey to explore the benefits and challenges of working independently.

New & Noteworthy

Your Next Great Read: Award-Winning Manga

Knowing where to start in the ever-expanding manga universe can seem daunting. Fortunately, a multitude of international committees have done the work for you. 

A Multicultural Fairy Tales and Folktales Book List

Discover tales from across the globe with this selection of titles, ranging from bilingual picture books to contemporary retellings of classic stories.

Go on an Herbal Hike with NYPL

The Library is a valuable resource for herbalism-oriented books. Consult these titles to prepare for your next nature walk.

The Librarian Is In: And Then There Were None, Ep. 173

It's book club time once again! In this episode, Rhonda and Frank read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, from the Library's 125 Books We Love list.

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