Explore Our Free Programs
Discover a wide array of free programs across the Library, including at our neighborhood branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Take Home One of Our STEAM Discovery Kits
Build, code, and stargaze with NYPL’s amazing STEAM Discovery Kits! Available to borrow from 30 branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, these kits enable kids to explore robotics, astronomy, engineering, coding, and more using exciting tools, toys, and books at home.
College & Career Pathways
Do you want to go to college? Are you having a hard time figuring out how to prepare to apply? The New York Public Library offers resources and programs to help you on your path to higher education.
College & Career Pathways Videos
Whether you're looking for college guidance, career readiness, or adulting skills, The New York Public Library's College and Career Pathways program is here to help! Check out these informational videos to give you guidance on different topics that will help you prepare for what comes after high school.
Teen Reading Ambassadors
The Library’s Teen Reading Ambassadors program offers internships to teens to help develop job readiness and leadership skills. Participating teens will have the opportunity to act as leaders and role models to younger kids, ambassadors for the Library's mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning, and writers and editors of their very own magazine. Discover the work of NYPL’s Teen Reading Ambassadors and find out how you can get involved!
TeenLIVE
TeenLIVE events at The New York Public Library feature thought-provoking conversations, real debates, and exciting performances with your favorite authors, artists, filmmakers, musicians, fashionistas, and more.
Visit the Teen Center at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
At the Teen Center, discover a fully equipped space just for you, including areas for exploring technology, finding academic support, or just hanging out. Find inspiration, pursue your interests, and discover resources for schoolwork, job help, or creating the next innovative breakthrough! Look out for events and programming for teens, our recording studio and media lab, amenities just for teens, and class visit opportunities.
Explore engaging resources for supplemental learning on core subjects such as math, science, and reading that include activities like games and puzzles.
Adobe Spark
A graphic design platform from the creators of Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator. Use it for creative projects like designing posters, social media posts, slide shows, and short videos. There are both web and app versions of Adobe Spark.
Advance Power Searching on Google
Take your search game to the next level with these videos (text available as well).
BeWell Self Care, Nutrition, and Health
BeWell, a program developed by Columbia University’s Harlem Health Promotion Center, have some helpful links.
BBC iReporter
Take on the role of a BBC social media reporter breaking the story of a hacking crisis in this choose-your-own adventure game with live-action video. Touches on digital literacy issues such as sources, fake news, and sharing on social media.
Canva
A graphic design platform with a wide selection of free templates and clip art. Use it to design everything from bookmarks to infographics. There are both web and app versions of Canva.
Code Club
Get started learning programming languages like Scratch, HTML/CSS, or Python with these fun tutorials and creative projects!
Community Oral History Project
Not only can you explore the oral histories from folks in your community, you can also help us by transcribing interviews!
Hour of Code
Fun, themed coding tutorials that are great for beginners as well as coders who are comfortable with the basics, but want to practice or tackle a fun challenge.
Incredibox
Build an animated beatboxing crew using drag-and-drop musical samples. Play around and make your own beats or complete challenge combos to unlock music choruses.
Microsoft MakeCode Arcade
Design, remix, and play games while learning the code that powers them. Start with a tutorial game before building your own game or taking a deeper dive into a coding course.
Mouse Open Projects
Find resources and tutorials for creative technology projects using 3D modeling, 8-bit pixel art, coding, and more.
OldNYC—Mapping Historical Photos from NYPL
Ever wondered what your neighborhood looked like way back when? See New York City through the ages in these archival photographs.
PBS Above the Noise
Each short episode in this series takes on a current event or controversial topic, giving you facts and figures to cut through the hype and rise above the noise.
The New York Times Learning Network
The New York Times education hub featuring learning resources paired with the newspaper's content. Access to articles, etc is free through this site. Features writing prompts, quizzes, and more.
Time for Payback
An online game that prepares you for the financial responsibilities of college and beyond.
Scratch
A programming language developed by MIT especially for beginning coders. Use the Scratch website or download the free software to create, remix, and share coding projects like games and animations in a safe online community.
Sketchpad
An online platform for making digital art. Paint and draw with a wide range of tools and special effects or add clip art and text. Sketchpad’s website can be used on a computer or a tablet.
Soundtrap
Create and remix your own songs. Combine pre-recorded loops and samples or even record yourself singing or playing an instrument.
Stereogranimator
Create weird, old-timey gifs with the New York Public Library’s own stereography site.
Self Care & Community Care
The world can be a stressful place and it is important to take care of yourself and those around you if you can. Community care is extending compassion to those in your community, whether in person or digitally. Here are some helpful ways to stay mindful.
Self Care Tips from Teen Vogue
Take it from the experts and be gentle with yourself.
Bujo Book Tracking Ideas from BookRiot
Want to track your reading? BookRiot has you covered with these lovely spreads.
Selections from BeWell’s Resources:
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Nutrition Tips for Teens
Staying healthy doesn’t have to feel like a challenge, even in challenging times. -
Nutrition Tips for College Students
You don’t need to be in college to be mindful about your eating habits! The experts at BeWell have you covered. -
Blue Light and Sleep
Ever wondered what being on your phone can do to your sleep habits? Find out how to be more thoughtful about screen time.
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Academic Support: High School
Explore an array of resources that will help you with everything from chemistry and history to English and math.
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Back to School with NYPL
The New York Public Library is here to support kids of all ages, educators, and parents and caregivers with an array of programs and resources, both in person and online. Discover what we’re doing for kids and teens as New Yorkers return to school this fall—plus books, free homework help, learning tools, and fun, engaging activities to help you develop all your skills.
More for Kids & Teens
Everything early learners, kids, and teens need to become lifelong learners.