Congratulations to all the NYPL branches honored at this year's NYC Neighborhood Library Awards! Aguilar, Allerton, Bronx Library Center, Chatham Square, Edenwald, Hunts Point, George Bruce, Grand Concourse, and Stapleton were all recognized for their stellar service. Nearly 24,000 nominations were submitted this year, and our library system could not have been successful without the support of our patrons.

The prizes, which include $10,000 or $20,000 grants, will help these library branches expand the programs that improve lives and combat inequality in their community. Our libraries are putting these funds right back into our system to serve the patrons who make it so worthwhile to do the work that we do.  Thank you to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Charles H. Revson Foundation for funding this generous initiative. 

Here are a few of the reasons why people nominated their NYPL branches:

• Allerton Library – Allerton (Bronx) – One teen wrote about BridgeUp, an afterschool program for high school students: “For once I felt a part of something. . .the library has helped me find myself with well-thought out activities and programs.”
• Chatham Square Library – Chinatown (Manhattan) – Teri, an immigrant and former neighborhood resident stated: “This is the library I have been going to since I was 10 years old as a new immigrant without knowing any English. At first, it was a resource center for Chinese language books, newspaper and magazines for me and my family. Now, I am a parent with 2 young children and I have come full circle to return to this library to get Chinese books to teach my kids Chinese language. Without this library, I wouldn't have retained my Chinese language, nor improved my English.”
• Edenwald Library – Edenwald (Bronx) – A neighborhood resident, immigrant and library staff member wrote: "This library has transformed my life. As immigrants to America, the library meant everything to us. I polished my reading and writing skills at the library. The library filled in all the gaps and helped me greatly. I landed a job with the library. Got a scholarship to go for my Masters at St. Johns University. My neighborhood library made all this possible."
• George Bruce Library – Morningside Heights (Manhattan) – Mara, a parent, stated: “From story hour to open play to art classes to readings with authors and illustrators, the library staff goes above and beyond to help instill a love of reading and books in the children that utilize the library…By partnering with places like the Studio Museum, the George Bruce Library brings art based programming to children who might not be able to access it elsewhere. Private enrichment and art classes for children are incredibly expensive, the GB Library ensures that any child in our neighborhood can participate in unique and robust programs for free!”
• Hunts Point Library – Hunts Point (Bronx) – Larry, a lifelong patron, shared: “The library has always been a second home to me. A place where I could actually visit almost seven days a week that was a safe haven for me as a child, an adult and now a parent…This library is strong on tutoring and educational development…I love the Hunts Points Library and so does my entire community.”

The Heckscher Foundation for Children awarded the Heckscher Prize for Outstanding Service to Children and Youth to the Grand Concourse Library for its proven commitment to this City’s youth through special programs, classes, and events. The branch also received a prize of $20,000 to spend on their branch.

Due to an overwhelmingly positive response from patrons, the NYC Neighborhood Library Awards have added a new Perennial Excellence Award to recognize libraries that have been consistently stellar over the years. The Perennial Excellence Award was presented to Aguilar Library and Stapleton Library for their consistently stellar services year after year, as was reflected in the high volume of nominations these branches received during each awards season. The Bronx Library Center took home the Award for Distinction in Service, honoring a regional branch for their excellent work and deserved recognition.

Thank you to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Charles H. Revson Foundation for funding this generous initiative.