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Schomburg Center Literary Festival: Pre-Festival Events
Critical Thought: A Evening of Selected Works by Greg Tate
June 13 | 6:30 PMThe Black Librarian in America: Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening
June 15 | 6:30 PMRooftop Happy Hour with the Schomburg Center Literary Festival
June 17 | 5:30 PM
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Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Saturday, June 18
Join our community of book lovers and their favorite authors for our annual outdoor literary festival. The Schomburg Center Literary Festival: Reading the African Diaspora expands the center's long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture.
More Free Events
Join The New York Public Library for free events for all ages including live author talks and panels, book discussions, and more exploring Juneteenth.
To Sit Awhile: Statue Honoring Lorraine Hansberry
Monday, June 13, through Saturday, June 18
Experience To Sit Awhile, a life-sized statue honoring playwright and activist Lorraine Hansberry at the Schomburg Center. Created by Alison Saar, this statue is surrounded by five bronze chairs representing various stages of Hansberry's life. Visitors are encouraged to sit in the chairs, reflect, and enjoy the artwork.
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Juneteenth Reads for All Ages
Find new and classic titles—plus essential resources—that explore the significance of Juneteenth, the history of slavery, and the ongoing fight for justice for Black Lives.
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Watch Now! Juneteenth: Creating Legacy in Contested Places
Chef and historian Therese Nelson; Dr. Andrea Roberts, founder of Texas Freedom Colonies Project; and chef and TV personality Carla Hall, author of Carla’s Comfort Food: Favorite Dishes from Around the World, examine the artful negotiations of formerly enslaved African Americans and celebrate the persistent pursuit of freedom. Plus, Rootstock Republic premieres a new arrangement of "Strange Fruit," the classic song, made famous by Billie Holiday, which called attention to the lynching of Black people in America.
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Researching Historic Juneteenth Celebrations
A look back at some memorable past Juneteenth celebrations and events as reported in many of the popular African-American newspapers of the time, all available through The New York Public Library's electronic resources.
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Racial Equity Resources for Educators
Navigate difficult conversations, challenge bias, and create an inclusive space for your students to process current events.
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Researching Black Heritage with NYPL's E-Resources
The New York Public Library has created this list of online resources to help you explore all aspects of Black heritage—from genealogy to LGBT history to current popular culture.
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Watch Now! Juneteenth Freedom Writing with Fyütch
Learn about the legacy and history of the Juneteenth holiday through writing and activities with music and social justice artist Fyütch.
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Watch Now! Juneteenth Storytimes
Enjoy eight special storytime videos, including readings by authors Mahogany L. Browne, Ibi Zoboi, Carole Boston Weatherford, Kim Johnson, and Kelly Starling Lyons, and elected officials Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson and State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey.
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Juneteenth Book List for Kids
Explore a list of books recommended for younger kids by the Library’s Teen Reading Ambassadors that illuminate the lives of historic African American figures, both before and after Emancipation.
The Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List
Throughout its history, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has preserved, protected, and fostered a greater understanding of the Black experience through its collections, exhibitions, programs, and scholarship. The Schomburg Center’s Black Liberation Reading List, created in response to the uprisings across the globe demanding justice for Black lives, includes books we and the public turn to regularly as activists, students, archivists, and curators, with a particular focus on books by Black authors and those whose papers we steward.
Most of them are available digitally for free via The New York Public Library’s free e-reader app, SimplyE, available for iOS and Android. Many are also available from The Schomburg Shop, along with a dedicated array of books and materials chronicling global Black culture.
Learn More About the Schomburg Center
Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.
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Connect with the Schomburg Center
Sign up for the latest news, events, exhibitions, and programs from the Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
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Explore the Schomburg Shop
Visit the Schomburg Shop and see a selection of books, clothing items, tote bags, mugs, and more created by Black and Brown artists for all ages.
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Support the Schomburg Center
Schomburg Society members receive discounts, invitations to exclusive events, and more!
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Get a Digital Library Card
With a digital library card you get free access to the Library’s wide array of digital resources—including e-books, databases, educational resources, and more.
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Get Started with SimplyE
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Download the NYPL App
Get the power of The New York Public Library, anytime, anywhere. With the NYPL app, you can access everything the Library has to offer from home or while you’re on the go. Plus, use the app’s self-checkout feature for contactless checkout in branches.