World Literature Festival

Join Us! NYPL's World Literature Festival

April 12–30

The Library's first-ever World Literature Festival kicks off today with a packed lineup of free author talks, classes, and events that celebrate the diversity of NYC—and shine a spotlight on the Library’s rich collections and services in world languages. To mark the festival’s launch, we're also releasing two new book lists: our most checked-out titles in 21 world languages, and a reading list of world literature in translation recommended by our expert librarians. Plus, explore our ever-expanding free resources and services for all ages in Español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), Русский (Russian), বাংলা (Bengali), Français (French), 日本語 (Japanese), and more!

Discover the Library's Wide Range of Multilingual Resources

Find services and resources in world languages for all ages as we celebrate the linguistic diversity of the city we share. Borrow books, music, and DVDs in a wide array of languages, and find tools to learn a new language—all free when you sign up for a library card. Plus, download the new NYPL app (available in six languages), get library support in your preferred language, sign up for ESOL classes, and find one-on-one help with assistive technology.

• Español (Spanish)
• 中文 (Chinese)
• Русский (Russian)
• বাংলা (Bengali)
• Français (French)
• 日本語 (Japanese)

Check Out the Full Festival Lineup: April 12–30  

Join us in welcoming a host of writers from around the world—and find out how to borrow their books from our World Languages collections. Discover online author talks, discussions, conversation groups, and language classes hosted by branches across the Library. Register now to attend these free virtual events!

Festival Highlights

In Conversation: Nicole Dennis-Benn

Wed, Apr 14 | 3 PM
Presented in English with closed captions

«Беседуем с Александром Стесиным» | In Conversation: Alexander Stessin

Sat, Apr 17 | 11 AM
Presented in Russian with live English interpretation

En conversación: don Miguel Ruiz | In Conversation: don Miguel Ruiz

Mon, Apr 19 | 3 PM
Presented in Spanish with live English interpretation

哈金访谈 | In Conversation: Ha Jin

Wed, Apr 21 | 3 PM​
Presented in Chinese with live English interpretation

Names of New York: Joshua Jelly-Schapiro with Suketu Mehta

Wed, Apr 21 |  8 PM
Presented in English with closed captions

Une conversation avec Colombe Schneck | In Conversation: Colombe Schneck

Sat, Apr 24 | 11 AM​
Presented in French with live English interpretation

In Conversation: Naomi Hirahara | 著者との対話：ナオミ ヒラハラ

Thurs, Apr 29 | 3 PM
Presented in English with live Japanese interpretation

A Thousand Years of Persian Poetry by Women: Readings, Music & Conversation

Thurs, Apr 29 | 8 PM​
 Presented in English with closed captions

For Kids & Teens

Explore Multilingual Storytimes

Enjoy special multilingual storytimes brought directly to you by our expert children's librarians as they read beloved books, sing songs, and share early literacy tips. Storytimes are available in languages including Español (Spanish), Deutsch (German), 中文 (Chinese), العَرَبِية (Arabic),  עבר׳ת (Hebrew), and 日本語 (Japanese).

Little Learners Celebrate World Languages

Join us for music, movement, and multilingual fun, with five new videos every week to get your little one dancing, singing, and learning. Discover stories from other cultures and help develop your child’s linguistic abilities with programs in العَرَبِية (Arabic), বাংলা (Bengali), kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole), and more!

Book List: World Language Titles for Kids 

To help celebrate the World Literature Festival, our Teen Reading Ambassadors recommend titles for kids in different languages, including Español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), বাংলা (Bengali), Français (French),  العَرَبِية (Arabic), and Polski (Polish).

Story Line Now Available in Five Languages

Our new dial-a-story service is now available in Русский (Russian) and 日本語 (Japanese) in addition to English, Español (Spanish), and 中文 (Chinese). Call 917-ASK-NYPL (917-275-6975) and select option 6 to hear a children’s book performed by one of our librarians. New stories in each language added every Monday!

More Events: LIVE from NYPL

Libertie: Kaitlyn Greenidge with Edwidge Danticat

Wed, Apr 14 | 8 PM

On Francis Bacon: Annalyn Swan and Mark Stevens with Fintan O’Toole

Thurs, Apr 15 | 8 PM​

The Free World: Louis Menand with A.O. Scott

Mon, Apr 19 | 8 PM
Co-produced with the Library's Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers

I Am a Girl from Africa: Elizabeth Nyamayaro

Tues, Apr 20 | 8 PM​

The Mysteries: Marisa Silver with Jennifer Egan

Tues, May 4 | 8 PM​
Co-produced with the Library's Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers

Community Resources

Suscríbase para recibir NYPL en Español

Descubra los servicios, programas, recursos, libros gratis y más que la Biblioteca ofrece en español para todas las edades. Subscribe to NYPL en Español to discover the free services, programs, resources, books, and more for all ages that the Library offers in Spanish.

Join Language Conversation Groups

Practice conversation skills in a wide array of languages—including Español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), বাংলা (Bengali), kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole), and more—with your fellow New Yorkers and expert librarians from our Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL).

Learning About the Summer Youth Employment Programs

April 13–15 

Join NYPL and the Department of Youth and Community Development for a series of Summer Youth Employment information sessions. Learn what the program will look like this year, plus hear from job providers from the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island about opportunities at their locations!

One-on-One Financial Counseling

Experts from the Thomas Yoseloff Business Center at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) are available via phone and Zoom to speak with you about your current financial situation, including general money management, budgeting, saving, banking, retirement planning, and more.

Get Help Signing Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine

The Library is here to help you find reliable resources about getting vaccinated. Discover organizations and providers across the city that can help you learn about all the COVID-19 vaccine options available to you, plus find information sessions from the Library to guide you through the process of signing up for a vaccine appointment. Resources are available in English, Español (Spanish), and 中文 (Chinese).

We Want to Hear from You: E-Books and E-Reading | Queremos saber de usted: libros lectura electrónica

Help the Library improve its offerings by telling us about your reading preferences. Do you prefer print books or e-books—or both? Where and how do you read e-books? We want to hear from you! 

New & Noteworthy

Celebrate National Poetry Month with NYPL

Discover everything the Library has to offer for National Poetry Month, including free online events and poetry recommendations. Many events hosted in Spanish. 

Participe en talleres con representantes de New York Writers Workshop que la Biblioteca tiene para ofrecer este Mes Nacional de la Poesía, en español. 

Announcing the 2021 Young Lions Fiction Award Finalists

Check out the finalists for this year's Young Lions Fiction Award. The award is given annually to an American writer age 35 or under for either a novel or a collection of short stories. Stay tuned to find out this year's winner!

The Librarian Is In Podcast: Virginia Woolf and Leesa Cross Smith

Frank and Rhonda come together to discuss The Waves by Virginia Woolf and This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross Smith. 

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