Awards Programs

Given annually to an "unsung hero" of New York City.

An annual award to an outstanding NYPL Branch Librarian and his/her staff.

Honors each year's Valedictorians from New York City public high school graduates (1997-2003).

The New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award is a $10,000 prize awarded each spring to a writer age 35 or younger for a novel or a collection of short stories.

Shane Harris, author of The Watchers; The Rise of America’s Surveillance State,was awarded the 2011 Helen Bernstein Book Award For Excellence in Journalism at a reception and award ceremony on June 7th at the New York Public Library. Since 1988 the annual award, which includes a $15,000 cash prize, has been given to journalists whose books have brought clarity and public attention to important issues, events, or policies.  Previous winners of the award include David Finkel, Jane Mayer, Charlie Savage, Dana Priest, and George Packer.

Given jointly with Ezra Jack Keats Foundation to a promising new children's book author.

This award recognizes an NYPL staff member who during the past year has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to improving public reference service.