Activities for Students and Families To Use at the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures

By Sofia Cisneros, Coordinator, Center for Educators and Schools
July 26, 2022
People standing in front of artwork in exhibition

NYPL

The Library's new permanent exhibition, the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures, offers unparalleled opportunities for teachers and students to engage with our world-renowned research collections—from class visits to educator workshops, teaching tools for your classroom, and more.

The treasures in this free exhibition tell the stories of people, places, and moments spanning 4,000 years—from the emergence of the written word through to the present day. Visitors will encounter manuscripts, artworks, letters, still and moving images, recordings, and more that bring vividly to life voices of the past. While the Library’s collections have always been available for public use, the Polonsky Exhibition builds on our 125-year legacy by offering a unique opportunity to make new connections and expand our understanding of the world and each other—so that together we can shape a better future.

NYPL's Center for Educators and Schools has created downloadable activities for families, teachers, and students to use when visiting the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures. Try the scavenger hunt to find objects in the exhibition related to books and writers. Or choose a favorite object and take some time to sketch what you notice about it. Just remember to keep your hands off of the glass cases!

Reserve your free tickets, plan your visit, and explore the Treasures Audio Guide.

Text: Center for Educators & Schools The New York Public Library. Illustrated book, apple, and pencil

The New York Public Library’s Center for Educators and Schools is devoted to making all of the Library’s resources accessible and useful for educators. You’ll find programs and services tailored for the educator community, such as book lists, credit-bearing workshops, special access to exhibitions, tips on teaching with primary source materials from our vast research collections, and much more.

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