Bryant Park is hosting a ‘reading party’ on the lawn
Photo courtesy of Angelito Jusay Photography.
Bryant Park is throwing a reading party on its iconic lawn next month. “Read on the Lawn Day” takes place on June 1 as part of programming at the park’s Reading Room, a curated selection of books, newspapers, and magazines available for visitors to enjoy for free outside. Hosted in partnership with Reading Rhythms, the event will include quiet reading periods followed by book discussions.
Founded in Brooklyn in 2023, Reading Rhythms hosts reading parties for those who love to read, or want to make time for reading, but also want to socialize. Unlike book clubs, attendees can bring any book they want. Since launching, Reading Rhythms events have been hosted in 20 cities worldwide.
Read on the Lawn Day will take place at Bryant Park on Monday, June 1, from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. Pre-registration is recommended.
Bryant Park is a fitting spot for a reading party. The public library and the Parks Department opened an outdoor library in Bryant Park in 1935, offering homeless and unemployed New Yorkers free reading material and a source of entertainment during the Great Depression. Staffed by librarians paid by the Works Progress Administration, the library closed in 1942 due to World War II-related cuts.
As the New York Times reported at the time, in 2003, the idea resurfaced as the park’s “Reading Room,” which provides free books, newspapers, and magazines in a peaceful open-air setting. In addition to the materials, the Reading Room hosts free weekly programming, including film talks, author panels, poetry readings, book clubs, children’s storytime, and writing workshops.
The Reading Room is open through October from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. See the full schedule here.
“The Reading Room has long been a favorite among Bryant Park visitors, providing a welcoming space where New Yorkers and tourists alike can slow down and enjoy the pleasure of reading outdoors,” Nancy Ng, Director of Special Projects at Bryant Park, said.
“Each season, we’re proud to expand the experience with a diverse lineup of free literary programming offering even more ways for people to connect with books, ideas, and each other in the park.”
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