Classes & Workshops

The New York Public Library offers more than 93,000 programs annually, serving everyone from toddlers to teens to seniors. Use any or all of the filters below to find a class that interests you. All classes are free unless otherwise noted.

Audience:
Borough:
(mm/dd/yyyy)

96 classes found.

Date/TimeTitle/DescriptionLocationAudience
Sat, March 30
@ 2 PM
Banned Books
TEENS! Get your civic action on with zine-making to combat the banning of books, social media shadow blocks, and censorship of materials meant for you to choose whether you read or not. Fight censorship with the power of the printed word by writing poetry, blurbs, doodles, and other forms of expression using mixed media. Snax, jazz, and supplies shall all be provided since it's an in-person event. See you then!
Eastchester LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Mon, April 1
@ 2 PM
Hone your creative writing skills and get helpful feedback from other writers! This program series will be held in person at the Battery Park City Library. Join us for Creative Writing, a weekly writing session co-presented by the Battery Park City Authority and led by author and poet Jon Curley. Taking inspiration from life events, attendees will be encouraged to use reflection as a way to enhance their writing styles in any preferred mode. Beginners welcome! About the instructor: Jon Curle…
Battery Park City LibraryAdults,

50+
Tue, April 2
@ 12 PM
Banned Books
Emmy-winning Executive Director of the famed Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Caridad De La Luz “La Bruja”, teaches a poetry workshop inspired by Banned Books, exploring how to write hard truths worth sharing. This event will take place in person at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, third floor, Room 304. This is the first of two workshops Caridad De La Luz “La Bruja” will teach at SNFL - register for the second on April 16 here. About the Instructor Caridad De La Luz won an Emmy Award as Scrip…
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Third Floor, Room 304
Adults,

College & Graduate Students
Tue, April 2
@ 12 PM
Poetry Programming
Celebrate National Poetry Month with NYPL and Poetry Society of New York This April, join us for writing workshops across the three boroughs, uplifting poetry of all types; free verse, form, and everything in between! Confessionalist Poetry: Writing Workshop with Ahmed Elguindi Participants will dive into various poets of the confessionalism era from the 1950s-1970s, as well understanding a handful of poetic forms; sestina, sonnet, villanelle. Poet in Residence Dates: April 2, 9, 16, 23, 12…
Mulberry Street LibraryAdults
Tue, April 2
@ 4 PM
Poetry Programming
This event will take place in person. To celebrate Poetry Month, we'll be looking at We'll learn some poetry prompts and how to use the form of a zine to take you poem to the next level! Zine club takes place on the first Tuesday of ever month.
High Bridge LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years),

Young Adults/Pre GED (16-24 years)
Tue, April 2
@ 4 PM
Poetry Programming
This event is in-person. Come write with us! Want to start writing poetry but don't know how? Want to share your work in a stress-free environment? Love writing but haven't in years? Drop in as often as you'd like for our twice-monthly, beginner-friendly workshop at the Hudson Park Library. Class will be guided by poet Mya Matteo Alexice, a recipient of writing degrees from Columbia University and Rutgers University-Newark, a Cave Cavem fellow, and the author of A Shape We've Yet t…
Hudson Park LibraryAdults,

College & Graduate Students
Tue, April 2
@ 5 PM
Writing Workshops
Are you interested in learning how to write poetry, but don't know where to start? Well look no further! Take your skills to new heights with our Creative Writing Workshop! Learn the structure and elements of poetry and also read examples of poetry. We will also work on creating our own poems.
Community RoomAdults
Wed, April 3
@ 11 AM
Banned Books
This is an in-person program. Join NYPL and New York Writers Workshop for a special writing workshop series, Unbound: Writing in a Contentious Landscape. Celebrate books for all and explore writing prowess with multi-genre writing courses featured around freedom of self-expression and ideas of censorship. Join us for The Right to Read and Write: A Personal Narrative Workshop with Marguerite Maria Rivas In this generative workshop, participants will write short personal narratives based…
Great Kills LibraryAdults
Wed, April 3
@ 3:30 PM
Interested in approaching different genres of creative writing as well as workshopping your creative work? This is the program for you! Join us this year at the Soundview Library virtually or in-person as we learn and craft our own pieces of writing within various creative genres. We’ll gather together every two weeks to learn the building blocks and workshop our writing. This month's topic is Poetry! We are excited to meet our fellow scribes!
Soundview LibraryYoung Adults/Pre GED (16-24 years)
Wed, April 3
@ 4 PM
This event will take place in-person at Morningside Heights Library. Create buttons that match your style and personality using the library's button maker. For April, we will make butons to celebrate National Poetry Month.
Morningside Heights LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years),

Young Adults/Pre GED (16-24 years)
Thu, April 4
@ 1:30 PM
Poetry Programming
This event will take place in person at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, third floor, Room 304. Registration required. Join NYPL staff in an ekphrastic poetry workshop where we'll write poems inspired by images from the library's Picture Collection. Founded in 1915 and located in the Stephen A. Schwarzman building, the collection contains over 1 million images on a diverse array of subjects. No experience necessary--just bring your imagination and come excited to write! Bryant Pa…
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
3rd Floor, Room 304
Adults
Thu, April 4
@ 3:30 PM
Dive into the enchanting world of poetry as we gather for an evening filled with inspiration, connection, and shared experiences. Come join us for an in person, warm and inviting space where your unique voice is celebrated and cherished. Let's unlock the power of words together and uncover the magic that lies within!
Tremont LibraryAdults
Thu, April 4
@ 4 PM
Book Discussion Group
We're doing things a bit differently for our April edition of Books & Banter. April is National Poetry Month, and we'll be spending our Thursdays doing all things poetry! The first two events will be virtual (registration will be required) and the third event will be in-person On Thursday, April 4th, we celebrate the work of our very own Bronx Poet Laureate, Kay Bell. *VIRTUAL* On Thursday, April 18th, we celebrate National Poem in your Pocket Day. *VIRTUAL* On Thursday, April 25th, we…
Grand Concourse LibraryAdults,

50+,

Book Lovers,

College & Graduate Students,

Teens/Young Adults (13-18 years),

Young Adults/Pre GED (16-24 years)
Thu, April 4
@ 5 PM
Unleash your creativity with blackout poetry! Our program will teach you how to transform old books and newspapers into unique and artistic masterpieces. Blackout poetry involves taking a page of text and blacking out or "erasing" certain words to create a new poem or message. It's a fun and innovative way to express yourself and explore your imagination. Tweens and Teens are welcome! In-Person Program.
Grand Concourse LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Fri, April 5
@ 11 AM
Join us for Poetry Month as we blend creativity, reflection, and community in our free Virtual Poetry Journaling Program. With daily prompts, weekly workshops, and vibrant sharing sessions, discover the poet within you. Engage online, connect on social media, and explore our virtual library – your poetic adventure awaits! Reserve your spot now and let your words dance with ours in this celebration of verse! #PoetryJournaling. Class format: Lecture/ demonstration
Tremont LibraryAdults
Fri, April 5
@ 3:30 PM
Poetry Programming
Join us in Van Cortlandt's first-floor Programming Room for Teen Art Hour on Friday, April 5th at 3:30pm, where we'll be celebrating national poetry month by creating our own blackout poetry! Learn how to create your own poem by using the words from some of your favorite books! Add illustrations around the poem to emphasize your creativity! Patrons must be 13-18 years old to attend. All art supplies will be provided at this workshop. Patrons must be 13-18 years old to attend.
Van Cortlandt LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Fri, April 5
@ 6 PM
Online
You can attend this event in person at the Bronx Library Center (Room C-33) and online via Google Meet. Calling all writers: Join the staff at the Bronx Library Center for a Creative Writing Session where you can engage in free writing alongside your peers. This month, we will be focusing on poetry writing techniques.
Bronx Library Center, Technology Training Center
Online
Adults
Mon, April 8
@ 4 PM
Poetry Programming
It's National Poetry Month! Join staff at Belmont for a blackout poetry session. Materials provided. No experience needed. Snacks provided upon availability. Blackout poetry, also known as erasure or redacted poetry, are all types of found poetry. Specifically, found poetry has a goal of using pre-existing or "found" text to create something new. Portions of the original text are kept, while other parts are drawn over or crossed out
Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, Second Floor
Teen Lounge
Teens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Mon, April 8
@ 4 PM
To celebrate April as the National Poetry Month- we will be having a cut out poetry session in the Grand Concourse Teen Center! We'll be taking old book pages and cutting out the words to create our own poetry! All art supplies will be provided as well so teens can design their poems in their style!
Grand Concourse LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Tue, April 9
@ 12 PM
Poetry Programming
Celebrate National Poetry Month with NYPL and Poetry Society of New York This April, join us for writing workshops across the three boroughs, uplifting poetry of all types; free verse, form, and everything in between! Confessionalist Poetry: Writing Workshop with Ahmed Elguindi Participants will dive into various poets of the confessionalism era from the 1950s-1970s, as well understanding a handful of poetic forms; sestina, sonnet, villanelle. Poet in Residence Dates: April 2, 9, 16, 23, 12…
Mulberry Street LibraryAdults
Tue, April 9
@ 3:30 PM
Poetry Programming
Spring has sprung! Join us for this in-person workshop at which children are invited to write a poem, then create a spring flower mount to attach it to. All materials will be provided.
Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, Children's RoomChildren,

School Age (5-12 years)
Tue, April 9
@ 3:30 PM
Poetry Programming
Celebrate National Poetry Month with a fun and creative hour of blackout poetry. Transform old books and magazines into original poetry by blacking out words and adding illustrations. Materials and examples will be provided. No registration required. For Adults, 18+
Epiphany LibraryAdults
Tue, April 9
@ 4 PM
Poetry Programming
This program takes place in person at the West New Brighton Library. Join us in celebrating National Poetry Month with a fun poetry reading and activity for kids! No registration required.
West New Brighton LibraryChildren,

School Age (5-12 years)
Tue, April 9
@ 5 PM
Writing Workshops
Are you interested in learning how to write poetry, but don't know where to start? Well look no further! Take your skills to new heights with our Creative Writing Workshop! Learn the structure and elements of poetry and also read examples of poetry. We will also work on creating our own poems.
Community RoomAdults
Wed, April 10
@ 10 AM
Poetry Programming
Celebrate National Poetry Month with NYPL and Poetry Society of New York This April, join us for writing workshops across the three boroughs, uplifting poetry of all types; free verse, form, and everything in between! Finding Freedom in Spoken Word: Writing Workshop with Poet Jasmine "JRose" Rosario Participants will join a workshop that is centered around the empowerment of writing a spoken word poem. Poet in Residence Dates: April 10: 10 AM - 3PM April 17: 10 AM - 3PM April 22: 12 PM…
Kingsbridge LibraryAdults
Wed, April 10
@ 3:30 PM
Join us in celebrating National Poetry Month as we used creative words for collaging. Put your art and writing skills to the test with this interactive poetry activity.
West New Brighton Library, Community RoomTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Wed, April 10
@ 3:30 PM
This event will take place in person at Woodstock Library. Let's get crafty! Kids will engage in hands-on activities using craft materials and their imagination. What can you create? April 10: Water Color Flowers These watercolor flowers are so fun and easy for kids to make, they will want to make more than one. Using easy watercolor techniques gives each flower a unique look and adding in a 3D center makes the whole art project really pop! You wont want to miss it! April 17: Poetry…
Woodstock LibraryChildren
Wed, April 10
@ 5:30 PM
Poetry Programming
Are you brand new to poetry and looking to hone your craft? Or are you a seasoned writer looking for a space to share and discuss your work? Join Mulberry Street Library staff for a new, in-person poetry writing workshop and craft talk! You will have the opportunity to share your own poetry to discuss and receive feedback. This workshop will help writers of all skill levels grow as poets in a collaborative and supportive environment. Before the workshop, please email a copy of the poem you'd l…
Mulberry Street Library
Community Room
Adults
Thu, April 11
@ 1 PM
Poetry Programming
If you had to leave your neighborhood, what would you miss about it? First, think about your favorite way to spend the day in your community. Then, write to your community (your street, local park, Jerome Park branch, favorite restaurant) and share how you feel. Try using metaphors and personification.
Jerome Park Library, Community RoomAdults
Thu, April 11
@ 3 PM
April is National Poetry Month! Do you love poetry? Join us and create your own poem, whether it is a Black-Out Poem or just a free-written poem, stop by Richmondtown and get to writing! All supplies will be provided, and this program will take place in person in our Young Adult section. Registration is not required!
Richmondtown LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Thu, April 11
@ 3:30 PM
Dive into the enchanting world of poetry as we gather for an evening filled with inspiration, connection, and shared experiences. Come join us for an in person, warm and inviting space where your unique voice is celebrated and cherished. Let's unlock the power of words together and uncover the magic that lies within!
Tremont LibraryAdults
Thu, April 11
@ 4 PM
Canceled
Shutter Squad explores abstract imagery in celebration of National Poetry Month.PKYA highlights the wisdom, experiences, and all the creative hacks of the experts for teens with a curiosity for the history, arts, and the most iconic and influential artists of photography and poetry blended.
Parkchester Library, Young Adult AreaTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Thu, April 11
@ 4 PM
Poetry Programming
This program will be in person at Allerton Library. April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate we will hold a Poetry Party! Children ages 6-12 are invited to read or recite a poem! Snacks for all who attend. No registration is necessary.
Allerton LibrarySchool Age (5-12 years),

Children
Thu, April 11
@ 5:30 PM
Poetry Programming
Celebrate National Poetry Month with NYPL and Poetry Society of New York This April, join us for writing workshops across the three boroughs, uplifting poetry of all types; free verse, form, and everything in between! Home: Writing Workshop with Moncho Alvarado In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to focus on poetry writing prompts centering the idea of place and ‘home’. Some works deal with a specific time and location, while others focus on a more socially-constructed vi…
St. Agnes LibraryAdults
Fri, April 12
@ 11 AM
Join us for Poetry Month as we blend creativity, reflection, and community in our free Virtual Poetry Journaling Program. With daily prompts, weekly workshops, and vibrant sharing sessions, discover the poet within you. Engage online, connect on social media, and explore our virtual library – your poetic adventure awaits! Reserve your spot now and let your words dance with ours in this celebration of verse! #PoetryJournaling. Class format: Lecture/ demonstration
Tremont LibraryAdults
Fri, April 12
@ 12 PM
Poetry Programming
This event is online only. Do you love beautiful words? Do you enjoy writing poetry? Have you always wanted to try writing, but never put aside the time for it? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then grab your favorite cup of tea and join us virtually for a casual hour of discussing our favorite poems, sharing some poetry that you have written yourself, and participating in some poetry writing exercises together! *This is an event for adults, ages 18+ * You must register wit…
Richmondtown Library
Online Only
Adults
Fri, April 12
@ 3:30 PM
This event will take place in person at Macomb's Bridge Library. April is National Poetry Month! Let's find out our fortunes of the month of April using our fortune tellers! Join us for fun arts & crafts and interesting adventures every week. Registration is not required for this event.
Macomb's Bridge LibraryChildren,

School Age (5-12 years)
Sat, April 13
@ 10:30 AM
Online
This event is online only. Must register with a valid email address. Learn to use features like graphical elements, tab stops, and section breaks to format poetry in Microsoft Word. You will receive an email 2 hours before the class starts with the virtual class link.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), Pasculano Learning Center
Online Only via Zoom
Adults
Mon, April 15
@ 4 PM
Make custom magnetic poetry to reuse again and again in your locker or your refrigerator
Seward Park LibraryTeens/Young Adults (13-18 years)
Mon, April 15
@ 5:30 PM
Banned Books
Join NYPL and New York Writers Workshop for a special writing workshop series, Unbound: Writing in a Contentious Landscape. Celebrate books for all and explore writing prowess with multi-genre writing courses featured around freedom of self-expression and ideas of censorship. Easeful Writing: Decolonizing Our Habits and Practices with Neva Talladen Through a series of short exercises, writers will learn how to identify oppressive thinking and expectations that hold them back from a consisten…
67th Street LibraryAdults