All New York City Public Library Branches to Offer Voter Registration on September 25

In partnership with the New York City Campaign Finance Board, all 216 city library branches will accept voter registration forms on National Voter Registration Day


SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 – Members of the public can register to vote at any of the city’s 216 public library branches on Tuesday, September 25.

New York City’s three public library systems are supporting National Voter Registration Day by accepting voter registration forms at all locations across the five boroughs, promoting civic engagement and making it as convenient as possible for New Yorkers to participate in the upcoming midterm elections.

Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library (which cover the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island), and Queens Library are partnering with the New York City Campaign Finance Board on voter registration day.

People registering to vote will also be encouraged to sign up for library cards, and some branches are planning programming tied to civic engagement and voting.

“We are the most democratic institution in the borough,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. Every day of the year, we provide a welcoming space for all of Brooklyn—families, job seekers, older adults, veterans, immigrants, teens, entrepreneurs—to follow their dreams, find their voices, and become engaged citizens.”

“Since their inception, public libraries have been at the foundation of our democracy of informed citizens,” said New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx. “Our mission from the beginning has been to make opportunity and knowledge accessible to all, so regardless of circumstance or background, everyone can engage with and contribute to our society. Voting is a fundamental way that members of the public can participate, so it is a natural extension of our mission to bring voter registration directly into people’s neighborhood branches, which are trusted, heavily-used community resources.” 

“Our libraries have the visibility and the reach to ensure that as many people as possible find the information they need to start the process of voting and being heard,” said Queens Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Moreover, providing people with the means to participate fully in our democracy aligns perfectly with our mission to transform lives and build strong communities.”

Media Contacts:

Brooklyn Public Library: Fritzi Bodenheimer | FBodenheimer@bklynlibrary.org

New York Public Library: Angela Montefinise | angelamontefinise@nypl.org

Queens Library: Elisabeth de Bourbon | elisabeth.debourbon@queenslibrary.org

The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: http://www.bklynlibrary.org/.

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming, and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.

Founded in 1896, Queens Library is an independent, non-profit public library system and one of three serving the City of New York. It consists of a Central Library and 62 community libraries that attract more than 11.2 million visitors each year. Queens Library is one of the highest circulating library systems in the nation and among the busiest in the world. Visit online at: http://www.queenslibrary.org/