NYPL

See plan to redevelop Bronx public library with 100+ affordable homes

Images courtesy of Secchi Smith, unless noted otherwise

November 21, 2025

See plan to redevelop Bronx public library with 100+ affordable homes

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A plan to transform a New York Public Library branch in the Bronx has been unveiled, bringing more than 100 affordable apartments atop a new, state-of-the-art library. The city on Thursday announced the selection of Settlement Housing Fund and Kalel Companies to redevelop the Grand Concourse library at 155 East 173rd Street into a mixed-use tower with 113 affordable homes and a new 17,500-square-foot library facility. Designed to be environmentally friendly, the development, dubbed The Heartwood, is expected to meet Passive House standards, the first NYPL branch to do so.
details here
New York Public Library reveals best books of 2025, with unlimited e-book access for some titles

Images courtesy of NYPL/Tara Fedoriw-Morris

November 21, 2025

New York Public Library reveals best books of 2025, with unlimited e-book access for some titles

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The New York Public Library has unveiled its Best Books of 2025, its annual roundup of the year’s top reads. Expertly curated by librarians, this year’s list features 225 titles across multiple genres for adults, teens, and children—and for the first time, the library is offering unlimited e-book access to 26 selected titles. NYPL cardholders can borrow these titles electronically through the Libby app until December 31.
see the list
NYC public libraries stand against censorship during Banned Books Week

Credit: Terry Ballard on Flickr

October 2, 2025

NYC public libraries stand against censorship during Banned Books Week

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New York City's public libraries are recognizing Banned Books Week this year with a stacked lineup of programs and events. Running from October 5 through 11, the week-long observance arrives amid a continued rise in book censorship. According to the American Library Association (ALA), 2,452 unique titles were challenged in 2024—almost nine times the annual average of 273 titles from 2001 to 2020.
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New York Public Library acquires archive of never-before-shared 9/11 footage

Courtesy of The CameraPlanet Archive

September 10, 2025

New York Public Library acquires archive of never-before-shared 9/11 footage

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More than 1,200 hours of video documenting September 11, 2001, its aftermath, and the creation of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will be made public. The New York Public Library on Wednesday announced it acquired The CameraPlanet Archive, the largest contemporaneous video collection of 9/11. Recorded by more than 130 New Yorkers with camcorders, the footage captures both the attacks and the city’s resilience in one of its darkest moments.
more here
NYPL to display rare Declaration of Independence draft for America’s 250th anniversary

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Blanc/The New York Public Library

August 25, 2025

NYPL to display rare Declaration of Independence draft for America’s 250th anniversary

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To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary next year, the New York Public Library will publicly display its rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. On view at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building from July 1 to July 3, 2026, the draft is one of the few surviving "fair copies" handwritten by Thomas Jefferson. As part of a systemwide commemoration of the nation’s semiquincentennial, the display of the document joins the library's exhibition "Revolution: 1776 and Beyond," which will explore New York's role in the American Revolution and its impact on global revolutions that followed.
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Upper West Side public library to be redeveloped with new branch and 850 apartments

Bloomingdale branch. Photo by Jim.henderson on Wikimedia

July 30, 2025

Upper West Side public library to be redeveloped with new branch and 850 apartments

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As New York City explores every option to ease its housing crisis, officials are looking to build mixed-income housing atop a new library branch on the Upper West Side. As first reported by West Side Rag, the city plans to raze and replace the Bloomingdale Library at 150 West 100th Street with a new library, health services facility, and 850 units of housing. The project follows the model of other co-located housing developments at public libraries in Sunset Park and Inwood.
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NYPL’s World Literature & Arts Festival returns

All images courtesy of Robert Krevolin/The New York Public Library

April 9, 2025

NYPL’s World Literature & Arts Festival returns

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A celebration of storytelling across the world's diverse cultures and languages is returning to the New York Public Library (NYPL) next week. Running from April 14 through 30, the fifth annual World Literature & Arts Festival is a library system-wide event series highlighting New York City's vibrant immigrant communities across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island in honor of Immigrant Heritage Week. The festival spotlights the city's diversity through engaging author talks, performances, culinary experiences, writing workshops, and more.
details here
Joan Didion archive opening at the New York Public Library

Joan Didion and John Dunne, 1970s. All images courtesy of NYPL

February 19, 2025

Joan Didion archive opening at the New York Public Library

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A collection of never-before-seen items belonging to writer Joan Didion and her husband, writer John Gregory Dunne, will be on display at the New York Public Library next month. The library, which acquired the archive in 2023 and spent two years processing the material, will make the items publicly available to researchers and writers on March 26 in the Manuscripts and Archives Division at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
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Here are the library books New Yorkers borrowed the most in 2024

Photo credit: Peter Frasco/ The New York Public Library

December 18, 2024

Here are the library books New Yorkers borrowed the most in 2024

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New York City's three public library systems revealed the annual most borrowed books of 2024. Across all three of the systems—the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library—the most checked-out title was "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, followed by "Happy Place" by Emily Henry and "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yaros.
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New York Public Library announces the best books of 2024

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

December 3, 2024

New York Public Library announces the best books of 2024

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The New York Public Library has released its annual list of the best books of the year. The list, selected by committees and librarians who read hundreds of books across several genres, chose the best books of 2024 for kids, teens, and adults. This year, the library staff also released books about, or set in, New York City. The lists build on NYPL's century-old tradition of recommending the most-loved titles to New Yorkers of all ages, choosing books that reflect the city's diverse readership.
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Landmarked East Harlem public library reopens after $34M renovation

All photos courtesy of New York Public Library/Jonathan Blanc unless otherwise noted

October 25, 2024

Landmarked East Harlem public library reopens after $34M renovation

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After a three-year $34.4 million renovation, a landmarked New York Public Library branch in East Harlem is reopening this month. Designed by McKim, Mead & White in 1904, the building at 224 East 125th Street had fallen into disrepair and had been closed since 2021. The revamped building will celebrate its reopening on October 30 at 10 a.m.
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NYC public libraries mark Banned Books Week with first-ever national day of action

Photo © 6sqft

September 20, 2024

NYC public libraries mark Banned Books Week with first-ever national day of action

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This year New York City's public libraries will mark Banned Books Week with events, activities, and programming to push back against the alarming rise in nationwide censorship. In 2023, the American Library Association (ALA) recorded the highest number of challenged book titles, marking a 92 percent increase from 2022. Along with Banned Books Week from September 22 through 28, the city's libraries are teaming up with ALA for the first-ever "Freedom to Read Day of Action" on October 19.
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Sunday service is back at these NYC libraries this weekend

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in Manhattan will reopen on Sunday, July 14.  Photo © John Bartelstone courtesy of the NYPL

July 9, 2024

Sunday service is back at these NYC libraries this weekend

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For the first time since late last year, Sunday service will return to some New York City public library branches this weekend. Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council last month agreed to a budget for fiscal year 2025 that restores $58.3 million in funding for the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library. The libraries will reinstate Sunday service at branches that previously offered it on a rolling basis starting July 14.
full list here
NYC public library funding restored, Sunday service to resume

Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch. Photo via WikiCommons

June 28, 2024

NYC public library funding restored, Sunday service to resume

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Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council reached a tentative deal to restore $58 million in proposed cuts to New York City public libraries just days before the budget is due. The mayor and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams on Thursday announced in a joint statement that $58.3 million in funding will be reinstated for the city's three public library systems in the fiscal year 2025 budget, due June 30, as well as a separate $53 million for the city's cultural institutions. The funding agreement allows libraries to resume Sunday service, which ended at all branches last fall following announced budget cuts.
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Adams’ $112B budget restores some funding, but keeps cuts to NYC libraries

Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch. Photo by Gregg Richards.

April 25, 2024

Adams’ $112B budget restores some funding, but keeps cuts to NYC libraries

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Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday released his $111.6 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2025, which rolls back previously planned cuts to cultural institutions, early childhood education, and the police, thanks to higher-than-projected tax revenue. However, funding has not been restored for New York City's public libraries, which currently face $58.3 million in cuts. Library officials say the lack of funds would force libraries to operate just five days a week, down from the current standard of six days.
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NYC to redevelop Grand Concourse library with 100% affordable housing

Photo courtesy of NYC Housing Preservation and Development

April 10, 2024

NYC to redevelop Grand Concourse library with 100% affordable housing

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The Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the New York Public Library announced plans to transform the Grand Concourse branch into a state-of-the-art library with affordable housing on top. This week the city kicked off the community engagement process for the project, which falls under Mayor Eric Adams' "24 in 24" plan to advance 24 affordable housing projects in 2024.
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Black Comic Book Festival returns to NYC this month

All photos courtesy of Bob Gore

April 5, 2024

Black Comic Book Festival returns to NYC this month

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A festival highlighting the work of Black comic book creators is back and bigger than ever. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will host the 12th annual Black Comic Book Festival on April 26 and 27, attracting thousands of comic enthusiasts and giving a platform to Black comic book and graphic novel creators. Attendees can immerse themselves in panel discussions, workshops, a cosplay showcase, and more fun activities during the two-day event.
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Most NYC libraries would only open five days a week under mayor’s budget cuts, officials say

A rally of library supporters at City Hall on March 12. Photo courtesy of NYPL

March 13, 2024

Most NYC libraries would only open five days a week under mayor’s budget cuts, officials say

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Most New York City public libraries would only be able to open five days a week if the latest budget proposed by Mayor Eric Adams is approved, library officials warned this week. The presidents of the city’s three public library systems testified at a City Council budget hearing on Tuesday on the detrimental effects the proposed $58.3 million in budget cuts could have on library service. If the mayor's budget for the next fiscal year is approved, most city libraries will cut hours to just five days a week, marking the first time in nearly a decade that libraries will not be open six days at every branch.
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120-year-old Carnegie library in the Bronx is now a city landmark

NYPL’s Tremont Branch. Photo courtesy of NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

March 5, 2024

120-year-old Carnegie library in the Bronx is now a city landmark

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A Bronx public library that has served as a vital community space for more than a century is New York City's newest landmark. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to designate the New York Public Library's Tremont Branch as an individual landmark. Constructed in 1905, the library at 1866 Washington Avenue was financed by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and designed by acclaimed firm Carrère and Hastings, the architects behind the library's iconic main branch at 42nd Street and 5th Avenue. The library is regarded for its significance as a critical space for the neighborhood, in addition to its architectural importance, according to the LPC.
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These are the library books New Yorkers checked out the most in 2023

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

December 19, 2023

These are the library books New Yorkers checked out the most in 2023

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New York City's three public library systems on Tuesday revealed their most checked-out titles of 2023. At the New York Public Library, the most borrowed book of the year was "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus. In Queens, the top checkout was "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yaros, and in Brooklyn, "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy.
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The best books of 2023, according to the NYPL

Image courtesy of the NYPL

November 22, 2023

The best books of 2023, according to the NYPL

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The New York Public Library on Tuesday released its annual list of the best books of the year. The recommendations were curated by eight NYPL committees that reviewed nearly 3,000 books and selected 240 of the best titles for children, teens, and adults in 2023. You can use the NYPL's Best Books of 2023 list as a tool to help you find a new book for yourself or as a holiday gift for a loved one.
get the list here
NYC public libraries end Sunday service due to budget cuts

Photo credit: NYPL/Jonathan Blanc

November 17, 2023

NYC public libraries end Sunday service due to budget cuts

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Public libraries across New York City will soon be closed on Sunday in response to budget cuts announced by Mayor Eric Adams this week. Under the updated fiscal year 2024 budget released Thursday, every city agency will see a 5 percent budget reduction, including the police, sanitation, and education departments, as well as the public library system. New York, Brooklyn, and Queens public libraries said seven-day service will be eliminated, including ending Sunday service at most branches that offer it.
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NYPL photo exhibition captures quirkiness of NYC subway in the 1970s

Alen MacWeeney, Looking Out, Looking In. Old Man in Russian Hat: Black Woman in White Headscarf and Coat, 1977-79. Gelatin silver print. 11 x 14 in. Photography Collection, The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs, New York Public Library. (c) Alen MacWeeney

September 26, 2023

NYPL photo exhibition captures quirkiness of NYC subway in the 1970s

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A new photo exhibition at the New York Public Library captures the everyday interactions of New Yorkers taking the subway in the late 1970s. Located in the Print Gallery of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, "New York Subways 1977: Alen MacWeeney" features 42 diptychs created by Irish-American photographer Alen MacWeeney that show New Yorkers on crowded and graffiti-filled subway cars. The free exhibition is on display now through January 7, 2024.
learn more about the photo exhibition
NYC libraries celebrate 50 years of hip-hop with special edition library cards

Image courtesy of Jonathan Blanc

July 10, 2023

NYC libraries celebrate 50 years of hip-hop with special edition library cards

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The New York Public Library (NYPL) and Queens Public Library (QPL) are releasing new limited-edition library cards in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The new cards honor the genre and commemorate New York City's integral role in its rise to global fame. The cards will be available at branches across the NYPL and QPL systems starting on Friday, July 14.
See more here
NYPL president buys Parisian-like penthouse in Nomad for $2.45M

Photo credit: Kristina Crane with Evan Joseph Studios

April 27, 2023

NYPL president buys Parisian-like penthouse in Nomad for $2.45M

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The latest notable New Yorker to own this unusual Nomad penthouse is Anthony W. Marx, president of the New York Public Library. Marx, who has overseen the nation's largest library system since 2011, picked up the pretty pad at 66 Madison Avenue this month for $2,450,000, according to city records. Previous owners of the one-bedroom co-op include an Emmy-award-winning casting director and a designer and fashion PR executive.
Details here
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