Summer at the Library 2025
Create your world this summer at The New York Public Library. Discover free events and activities for all ages, programs for kids and teens, reading recommendations, exhibitions, and much more! Plus, use your library card to book free passes to 90+ museums, gardens, theaters, and more cultural attractions across NYC.
Learn more in español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), français (French), Русский (Russian), বাংলা (Bengali), العربية (Arabic), Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole), 한국어 (Korean), اردو (Urdu), Polski (Polish), and English what the Library offers kids and teens this summer.
Save the Date for the Official Kickoff!
Starts June 4, 2025
Get ready for a summer full of fun at your local library. Starting June 4, branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island will offer an array of exciting programs, activities, and fresh reading recommendations for all ages! Sign up for our mailing list for the latest updates straight to your inbox—and have your library card ready to make the most of everything the Library offers all year round. Check back on Friday, May 23 for more information in English, español (Spanish), français (French), 中文 (Chinese), Русский (Russian), বাংলা (Bengali), and العربية (Arabic)!
For Educators
The Library offers a wide range of resources to support kids’ learning and development through the summer and all year round. Learn about special opportunities for teachers offered by our Center for Educators and Schools (CES), engaging tools for classrooms, reading recommendations, and much more.
For Kids: Create Your World!
Join us for arts and crafts, bilingual storytimes, STEAM activities, special events in branches, and more this summer. Become a summer star by taking our 60-day reading challenge, come to special Summer Adventure programs in branches, and enter our annual summer writing contest!
Coming Up! For Babies & Toddlers: Pop-up Playdates
May 2 & 15, June 3 & 16 | Various Locations
Come play at our Pop-up Playdates! You are invited to a play extravaganza for little ones. Celebrate the power of play and practice—important early literacy skills—all while having fun!
Register Now! Anti-Prom 2025
May 16 & 30, Jun 20 | Various Locations
Calling all teens! Come hang out and dance the night away at the Library's free annual summer party, with music, snacks, art activities, and more! Anti-Prom welcomes and celebrates young people of all sexualities as well as gender identities and expressions. Join us in the Bronx on May 16, Staten Island on May 30, and Manhattan on June 20!
Just for Teens: Free Events, Tech Tools, and More!
At the Library, there’s always something for teens! Discover tech workshops, book and manga clubs, college prep resources, and more. Plus, swing by our one-of-a-kind Teen Centers stocked with gaming consoles, video equipment, art supplies, and other cool stuff to enjoy.
Culture Pass: Get Free Access to NYC Museums with a Library Card
Explore New York City’s museums and attractions with Culture Pass! With your library card, you can get free admission to more than 100 cultural institutions. Save money and discover more about your city this summer.
Discover Events & More for Adults
Explore our free programs, events, and services for adults, including our TechConnect classes, arts and cultural programs, English and basic literacy classes, jobs and careers resources, personal finance help, research tools, and much more—all free, all year round.
More Resources: Early Literacy, Kids, and Teens
From one-on-one online tutoring and homework help to after-school activities and bilingual storytimes for the youngest readers, the Library is here to help students all year round with a wide array of resources.
Get a Free Library Card
With a library card, you get free access to the Library’s wide array of resources—including books, e-books, databases, educational resources, and more in a range of languages.
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.
No More Late Fines!
Did you know? There are no more late fines at the Library, so you can borrow books and more from any branch with no worries.
Free Exhibitions
The Library offers free major exhibitions and special displays at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Library for the Performing Arts, and Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, plus community showcases at many branch locations throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. See what’s on view this summer!
Multilingual Resources
The New York Public Library is here for everyone! At our 92 locations across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, we welcome speakers and readers of a wide range of languages. The Library is committed to helping everyone navigate our free services and resources: get a library card, learn about Library offerings, search the catalog, and more in world languages.
Help Us Support All New Yorkers
The New York Public Library depends on donors like you to support our essential services. Friends of the Library are vital as we expand access to our resources, including job help, community outreach, and language learning materials. Make a membership gift now and enjoy benefits all year long.
Thank You
Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2025 city-wide sponsor for the Summer Reading and Learning Programs.
Additional support is provided by Jane Lauder; The Rona Jaffe Foundation; New York Yankees Foundation; Montblanc; anonymous donors; and the continuing major support of the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences.
These programs and initiatives are part of the Library’s overall commitment to our branch patrons and education programs, led by the Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.
