NYPL Connect: What Do Neil Gaiman, LeVar Burton, Rosario Dawson, and Dakota Fanning Have in Common?
Reading can bring us together, even when we’re apart. In that spirit, The New York Public Library invites you to join us for a star-studded, full-length reading of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, presented by LIVE from NYPL. Every day from Tuesday, May 12 through Monday, May 18, readers of all ages can tune in for special readings by Neil Gaiman and celebrity friends from his dark and moving classic. Learn more about this new series below—and find even more of our remote resources to keep you informed, connected, and supported during this difficult time.
In the Spotlight
LIVE from NYPL: Neil Gaiman’s Coraline
Join us for a full-length virtual reading, featuring Neil Gaiman, along with LeVar Burton, Rosario Dawson, and Dakota Fanning, of Gaiman's beloved tale of bravery and resilience, Coraline—the story of a young girl who stumbles across a strange world, similar to her own, yet eerily different. Find the schedule and register for free to receive an email reminder with a viewing link before the first installment.
Check Out Your Copy of Coraline Today
Get ready for next week’s extra-special virtual series by borrowing a free copy of Neil Gaiman’s beloved classic on SimplyE—now available with no waits or holds! Don’t have an NYPL library card? New York state residents can sign up for one for free on the app and start reading today.Download SimplyE on the App StoreDownload SimplyE on Google Play
Coming Up: Celebrating Patience & Fortitude
As we honor our 125th anniversary this year, join us Monday, May 11 for a daylong birthday celebration of Patience and Fortitude, the beloved lions outside the 42nd Street library, who have stood guard over New York City since the building’s opening in 1911. Named by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in the 1930s for the qualities he felt New Yorkers needed to survive the Great Depression, Patience and Fortitude are as important today as ever before. Are you more Patience or Fortitude? Take our quiz to find out.
Resources for Kids & Teens
Family Literacy Guides: Now for Early Elementary School Learners
Following the release of our popular at-home storytime guides for families with babies and toddlers, we now offer literacy guides for young school-aged children in grades K–3. These guides feature simple at-home activities that can be completed with limited materials (such as paper, pencil, and crayons), paired with virtual read-alouds from our array of remote resources. Guides available in English and Spanish.
Play & Experiment with ScienceFlix
Get informative, curriculum-driven content and fun interactive features for students all in one resource with ScienceFlix. Log in using your library card to access a host of stimulating videos, texts, experiments, and guided activities to help boost learning and critical thinking among an array of topics including earth science, space, biology, physics, and technology. For grades 4–8.
Pop Culture Universe Puts History in Context
Use this database covering American pop culture from the 1900s through the 2000s to bring history to life and better understand the connections between politics, history, and pop culture. Overviews of sports, food, the arts, recreation, and other areas of American pop culture allow teens to explore the pivotal moments and issues of each decade with articles, speeches, photos, and more. For grades 9–12.
More Digital Resources
Comprehensive Business Resources for You
Use your NYPL library card for free access to the Small Business Reference Center, which provides operational information for many types of businesses, along with searchable advisory videos. Get access to state-specific resources and browse the latest information on COVID-19 for business owners through this database. Don’t forget—if you need help navigating this resource, you can always book a video consultation with one of our business librarians for more help.
Need a Side Gig?: Q&A Follow-Up to Our Popular Webinar
Thursday, May 7 | 6 PM
We’d like to invite you back for a follow-up to our “Need a Side Gig? Making Money Online” webinar, which provided an overview of websites you could use to supplement your income. Join us for a Q&A with our business expert and Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Helena Escalante, to brainstorm ideas and find resources that will help you earn extra income online. Bring your questions!
Online Technology Training from the Library
To meet our patrons’ needs during this time, we’re expanding our online technology class offerings. Learn the basics of essential programs you need to work remotely, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, then take on our advanced classes; protect yourself online with our privacy, fake news, and online shopping classes; plus, pick up new skills like coding, creating a podcast, and more.
Survey: Give Us Your Feedback on Our Digital Resources
As we continue to expand our remote offerings, the Library values your feedback. Take our survey about which online services and resources you’ve found most helpful during the temporary closure of our physical locations, and let us know how we might be able to serve you better.
For Educators
Webinar Series: Using Library Resources in Your Remote Classroom
Wednesday, May 13–Thursday, May 14
Are you an educator in search of online resources and activities to use while teaching remotely? Join us to learn how to use the Library’s free digital resources in your classroom to support distance learning, whether you’re teaching elementary school, middle school, or high school students. Our librarians have crafted sessions for different age groups that feature resources to support both STEM and literacy lessons.
Find More Resources for Educators
The Library is here to support New York City’s educators, whether they’re teaching online, looking for materials to support their curriculum, or connecting students with engaging learning aids. Check out our page of Remote Learning Resources for Educators and find out more about our one-on-one staff support, extensive digital resources, and array of materials from partner organizations.
New & Noteworthy
12 Books to Read for Nurse Appreciation Week
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the nurses working at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes who are caring for us during this critical time. May 6 through May 12 is Nurse Appreciation Week and we’re honoring them the best way we know how: with a book list!
Happy Mother's Day to Our Reading Role Models
We asked our librarians which books they remember reading with their moms. Revisit some childhood classics with this charming reading list.
Quiz: Which Literary Mother Would You Be?
Whether we revere them or fear them, many memorable mother characters have left their mark on the literary landscape. In honor of Mother's Day, we've put together a fun quiz to determine which literary mom you identify with.
Five Little-Known Facts About Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is often misunderstood in America, but it has been celebrated by Mexican Americans long before it was commercialized. Learn more through our Digital Collections and these five little-known facts about Cinco de Mayo from our curator for Latin American, Iberian & Latino Studies.
Unorthodox Reading Companions
The memoir behind the new Netflix show, Unorthodox, is part of an emerging literary genre by and about people who have gone “off the derech,” meaning that they left an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. If you are watching the show, here are more books to explore.
The Dance Oral History Project Playlist
The Dance Oral History Project at the Library for the Performing Arts consists of over 475 in-depth interviews that have been initiated and recorded by the Jerome Robbins Dance Division since 1974. Here are some excerpts from recent interviews including dancers Sandra Rivera, Ishmael Houston-Jones, and Dyane Harvey-Salaam.
Branch Digital Exhibition: Carol Paik's Resting Stitch Face NYC
Each month the St. Agnes Library features a local artist’s exhibition. This month’s artist is Carol Paik, an artist and writer living on the Upper West Side.