Free Book Giveaway!

We are giving away 500,000 free books for kids and teens at branches this summer! Drop by your local branch, pick up new books to take home for kids and teens to keep, and check out everything the Library has to offer this summer—and all year round.

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Free Events and Programs

Join us all summer long in branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island for a wide array of free events and programs! Plus, Make Waves at our special “Summer Cruise” programs exploring our environment, how to protect it, and ways of making positive change in the world.

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Make Waves with Our “Summer Cruise” Programs & Activities!

Join the Library for special “Summer Cruise” programs in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—or download a wide array of activity guides to use at home—as we explore our environment, how to protect it, and ways of making positive change in the world.

Set Sail!

Summer Staff Picks

Our expert librarians have curated a wide array of fun, thought-provoking, and inspiring books for all ages to read this summer! Check out these books for kids of all ages, including picture books, libros en español, and more! Many are also available in accessible formats.

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For Educators & Caregivers

The Library has a wide array of resources to support you and your kids or students with our all-new Make Waves program. Find out in a range of world languages what we offer this summer!

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  • Stay Connected

    Get the best from the Library direct to your inbox! From our free programs, events, and exhibitions to activities for kids and research news, there's something for everyone.

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  • Library Cards

    Join your library community! New Yorkers can access millions of books, e-books, digital resources, and more—all FREE with a New York Public Library card.

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  • Did You Know?

    There are no more late fines at the Library—and all old fines have been removed—so you can borrow books and more from any branch with no worries!

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  • More Book Recommendations for Kids

    Discover books for kids by and about a diverse array of people and communities, handpicked by the expert librarians and staff at The New York Public Library.

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  • KidsLIVE Author Talks

    Explore programs featuring authors and illustrators from our annual Best Books for Kids list and more for younger audiences! These programs reflect the rich diversity of New York City and help kids to develop their creativity, talent, and love of reading and learning.

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  • 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. Explore robotics, astronomy, engineering, coding, and more.

    Discover

  • E-Books & Audiobooks

    Download SimplyE, the Library's free e-reader app, which makes it easy to borrow e-books and audiobooks from a catalog of more than 300,000 titles.

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  • Personalized Book Bundles

    Tell us what you like to read and we’ll handpick a personalized book bundle just for you! Get Shelf Help in open branches, online, or by calling Ask NYPL on 917-ASK-NYPL.

    Try It Now

  • NYPL App

    With the NYPL app, you can access everything the Library has to offer from home or while you’re on the go. Information available in:

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Explore Summer at the Library

Discover oceans of possibility at The New York Public Library this summer with free events and programs for all ages, book giveaways, our all-new Make Waves program for kids and teens, reading recommendations, and much more!

Explore Summer at the Library for all ages in español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), বাংলা (Bengali), Русский (Russian), and English.

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Thank You

The Book Giveaway is supported in part by a generous grant from the Gray Foundation. 

Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2022 city-wide sponsor for the Summer Reading and Learning Programs.

Additional support is provided by The Rona Jaffe Foundation; New York Yankees Foundation; anonymous donors; and the continuing major support of the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences.

Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.

Logos for: the Gray Foundation, the New York Life Foundation, The Rona Jaffe Foundation, New York Yankees Foundation, and Summer Reading at New York Libraries.