Living Library at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Exterior photo of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at dusk with the interior of the building lit up.For 60 years, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has provided a hub for artists, scholars, and lovers of dance, music, theater, and the performing arts at-large.

In celebration of the Library's 60th anniversary, all summer long we host events for all ages. On July 23-27, we have curated Living Library: Celebrating 60 Years, a series of weeklong events as part of Lincoln Center's Summer for the City. That week of events includes film screenings, storytimes, reading parties, dance recitals, exclusive tours of the Library's treasures, participatory workshops, play readings, pop-up shops, concerts, silent discos, and more!

You’re invited to experience the cultural legacy of New York from an expert's perspective and explore the vast collection of one of the country's greatest arts libraries.

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Explore Upcoming Living Library Events

 

Theater Storytime With Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz

Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Broadway star Ali Stroker and middle grade author Stacy Davidowitz take their audience on a musical theater journey inspired by their co-authored book, The Chance to Fly.Read More ›

Theater Storytime With Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz

Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 1 - 2 PM
Broadway star Ali Stroker and middle grade author Stacy Davidowitz take their audience on a musical theater journey inspired by their co-authored book, The Chance to Fly.Read More ›

Dance Storytime With Careitha Davis

Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Artist, dancer, and educator Careitha Davis reads Dance Of Colors: Caribbean Rhythms And Family Traditions by Sierrah Chavis.Read More ›

Dance Storytime With Careitha Davis

Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 1 - 2 PM
Artist, dancer, and educator Careitha Davis reads Dance Of Colors: Caribbean Rhythms And Family Traditions by Sierrah Chavis.Read More ›

Music Storytime With Christopher Johnson and Suzi Shelton

Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Suzi Shelton and accomplished musician Christopher Johnson create a magical, fun-filled experience for kids, performing songs from Shelton’s Cinnamon Bear coloring book.Read More ›

Music Storytime With Christopher Johnson and Suzi Shelton

Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 1 - 2 PM
Suzi Shelton and accomplished musician Christopher Johnson create a magical, fun-filled experience for kids, performing songs from Shelton’s Cinnamon Bear coloring book.Read More ›

Dance Storytime With Ingrid Silva

Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Brazilian dancer Ingrid Silva reads her children’s book The Ballerina Who Painted Her Ballet Shoes about Silva’s journey in ballet.Read More ›

Dance Storytime With Ingrid Silva

Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 1 - 2 PM
Brazilian dancer Ingrid Silva reads her children’s book The Ballerina Who Painted Her Ballet Shoes about Silva’s journey in ballet.Read More ›

Children’s Storytime: Surprise Reader

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Kick off our celebration of the Library for the Performing Arts for their 60th anniversary with a special edition storytime, welcoming a very special, surprise guest. Read More ›

Children’s Storytime: Surprise Reader

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1 - 2 PM
Kick off our celebration of the Library for the Performing Arts for their 60th anniversary with a special edition storytime, welcoming a very special, surprise guest. Read More ›

Reading of Unproduced Play in the Archive

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 4 - 5:30 PM
Join us for a reading of an unpublished musical theater piece, and see theater history brought to life!Read More ›

Mambo Social Dance With Sekou McMiller

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 6 - 8 PM
In this social dance night at Lincoln Center, Sekou McMiller teaches how to mambo with the sounds of live musicians igniting the dance floor.Read More ›

Library Silent Disco: Decades Party 1965-2025

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 8 - 10 PM
DJ Bill Coleman heats up a Silent Disco party that highlights music from the Library’s archive from each decade of its existence.Read More ›

Dance Theater Workshop Exhibition Guided Tour

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Take a free guided tour of our exhibition, Room to Move: Dance Theater Workshop and Alternative Histories of Downtown Dance. Read More ›

Reading Rhythms Public Reading Party

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Reading Rhythms comes to the Library for the Performing Arts—indulge in a unique reading party, fuelled by literature and connection. Read More ›

Silent Movie Screening With Live Music

Friday, July 25, 2025, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
The Library for the Performing Arts screens a silent film from its collection, with live piano accompaniment by Ben Model.Read More ›

Dance Theater Workshop Exhibition Guided Access Tour

Saturday, July 26, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Take a free guided tour of our exhibition, Room to Move: Dance Theater Workshop and Alternative Histories of Downtown Dance. Read More ›

Dance Performance of Hidden Forest by Elaine Summers

Sunday, July 27, 2025, 8 - 10 PM
We celebrate Elaine Summers' centennial birth year with a recreation of her performance, Hidden Forest, which originally premiered at Lincoln Center. Read More ›

Theater Storytime With James McMullan

Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
The McMullans read some of their children's books and lead the audience in a drawing lesson so they can illustrate their own stories.  Read More ›

Theater Storytime With James McMullan

Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 1 - 2 PM
The McMullans read some of their children's books and lead the audience in a drawing lesson so they can illustrate their own stories.  Read More ›

Music Storytime With Easy AD

Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 11 AM - 12 PM
Easy AD from the Cold Crush Brothers reads a children’s book from the I Am Hip Hop series.Read More ›

Music Storytime With Easy AD

Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 1 - 2 PM
Easy AD from the Cold Crush Brothers reads a children’s book from the I Am Hip Hop series.Read More ›