The general election is today, Tuesday, November 7!
Voters in New York will elect members of the New York City Council, District Attorneys in Queens and the Bronx, judges, and other officials.
Voters will also have a say in New York State ballot measures this fall.
We're proud that several of our branches will serve as polling sites on Election Day.
Queens residents will cast their votes at our Briarwood, Central, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens Hills, Lefferts, North Forest Park, Peninsula, Richmond Hill, Seaside, and St. Albans locations, from 6AM to 9PM.
Do you know where you should vote? Please visit https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (866-868-3692) (TTY-212-487-5496 for the hearing impaired) to confirm the correct location for you to vote in your neighborhood.
If you’re not sure that you are registered to vote, you can check your status here or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692).
Make sure to vote today. Make sure that your voice is heard!
FAQs About Voting
How can I check my voter registration?
- Visit the Board of Elections registered voter search page.
- Call the Board of Elections at 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692) (TTY-212-487-5496 for the hearing impaired).
How can I make a plan to vote?
To find your poll site, visit here or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC.
If you have language or other access needs, know your rights. You have the right to bring an interpreter, or someone to help you vote in general. Accessible ballot applications are here.
For other non-partisan information, call or visit these organizations.
NYC Board of Elections: https://www.vote.nyc or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC
NYC Votes: https://www.nycvotes.org
DemocracyNYC: https://www.nyc.gov/site/civicengagement/voting/how-to-vote.page
League of Women Voters of the City of New York: https://linktr.ee/lwvnyc
- Watch this informative video brought to you by QPL and LWVNYC: What's New About Voting?
VOTE411: https://www.vote411.org
Disability Rights New York: https://www.drny.org
Coalition for the Homeless: https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/get-help/know-your-rights/voting-rights
Queens Public Library’s voter education and engagement activities are made possible by the GoVoteNYC Fund in The New York Community Trust.
Queens Public Library is proud to participate in this year’s New York Cares Coat Drive!
This city-wide initiative aims to collect over 100,000 coats and distribute them to New Yorkers who need them the most this winter.
You can donate new and gently used winter coats for infants, children, teens, and adults from November 1st through December 30.
Here are the 14 QPL locations where you can drop off your coat donations, during our regular hours of service:
- Briarwood, 85-12 Main Street
- Broad Channel, 16-26 Cross Bay Boulevard
- Cambria Heights, 218-13 Linden Boulevard
- Corona, 38-23 104 Street
- East Flushing, 196-36 Northern Boulevard
- Elmhurst, 86-07 Broadway
- Forest Hills, 108-19 71 Avenue
- Hollis, 202-05 Hillside Avenue
- Jackson Heights, 35-51 81 Street
- McGoldrick, 155-06 Roosevelt Avenue
- Ozone Park, 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard
- Poppenhusen, 121-23 14 Avenue
- Ridgewood, 20-12 Madison Street
- Windsor Park, 79-50 Bell Boulevard
Please make sure that your coat donations are in good condition. We encourage you to launder or dry clean coats before donating them.
At this time, New York Cares can only accept coats for donation. If you would like to donate clothing items other than coats, New York Cares encourages you to check donateNYC for organizations with the capacity to distribute those items to people in need.
We thank you for your commitment to helping those in need this winter!
Did You Know that on our list of 50 of the Most Banned Books in America, THIRTY-FOUR of them are Young Adult books?
Banned Books Week was at the beginning of October, but protecting the Freedom to Read doesn't have an expiration date!
Teens: this month, we want to keep talking about Banned Books, especially since so many of them are books written for teens and young adults.
If you want to help us defend the Freedom to Read, there's a simple thing you can do: visit your local library, where All Books are Welcome, and read Banned Books for yourself!
50 of the Most Banned Books in America
Check out our list, which has links that you can use to borrow these books from your local QPL branch, download them as eBooks, read them in different languages, and more.
QPL's 100 Most Popular Banned Books
Thirty-five of the 100 most popular banned and challenged books at Queens Public Library are Young Adult books. How many of them have you read?
Use our list to check them out from your local library, download them as eBooks, read them in different languages, and more.
Movies Based on Banned Books
A variety of movies have brought Banned Books from the shelves to the big screen and made these stories more available to more people.
Here are some examples—can you think of any others?
Animal Farm: DVD and Hoopla Digital
Catch-22 (DVD)
Fahrenheit 451 (DVD and Blu-ray)
The Hunger Games (DVD and Blu-ray)
The Kite Runner (DVD)
The Outsiders (DVD)
Persepolis (DVD)
The Hate U Give (DVD and Blu-ray)
To Kill A Mockingbird (DVD and Blu-ray)
Banned Book Resources
Do You Know what's just as important as the Banned Books on our library shelves?
The organizations that help you, and us, fight for your Freedom To Read!
Here are some of the resources available for you.
Explore them, share them with your friends, and get involved!
Resources for Students (National Coalition Against Censorship)
How You Can Fight Censorship: Resources for Students (Penguin Random House)
Youth Censorship Database (National Coalition Against Censorship)
UnTextbooked: A History Podcast for the Future
Banned & Challenged Books: Advocacy, Legislation & Issues (American Library Association)
Books Unbanned (Brooklyn Public Library)
Books for All: Protect the Freedom to Read (New York Public Library)
Posts in This Series
Written by Susan Shiroma, Business Librarian, Central Library
Scholarships provide access to education, resources, and valuable networks for inspirational people who need financial support with college expenses. Finding one or more scholarships to fund your education is a process that begins in high school and ends after you have earned degree(s) or completed professional school.
Tip: The scholarship search should begin one to three years before you need the money. Queens Public Library has many resources and programs to help teens and their families prepare for college, the college application process, and financial aid.
Here is one way the library is helping people of all ages find scholarships:
Central Library’s team has created a new in-person class series, Scholarships for Change: Discovering Free Resources for College Scholarships. Sessions will be held in the Central Library’s Cyber Center Training Room. Attendees will learn about the role of scholarships in higher education and get hands-on experience with online scholarship tools. Participants will receive a Queens Public Library resource list of information and tools supporting scholarship seekers, including financial aid websites, and scholarship resources for undocumented students. In this blog, we share highlights from Scholarships for Change and provide some resources for getting started with a scholarship search.
Queens Public Library’s Resources, including Books, Databases and Scholarship Tips
Each library in the Queens Public Library system has books to support a college search. You can find college, financial aid, and scholarship books (including e-books) by using the Books, Movies & More area on queenslibrary.org. Request a book through the library’s website.
Standard scholarship tips:
- Invest the time into researching scholarships and make a list of scholarships you are eligible for
- Get the latest guidelines from each funder
- Apply early and to multiple sources – Deadlines typically fall between September/December and March/April.
- Review each college’s website to learn what they say about financial aid and scholarships at their college. Call the college after you’ve checked online.
- Some foundations require an essay, statement of intent to study, and/or letters of recommendations. Focus on leaving a strong impression of who you are as an individual
- Ask the teachers, mentors and adults you work with if they can recommend a scholarship
- Talk to your guidance counselor, college advisor, parent, or guardian about scholarships, financial aid and how you will fund your education
Free Scholarship Search Engines
Free scholarship search engines are a valuable resource for your scholarship search. Try out several free scholarship search engines to find ones that work for you.
Before you begin your scholarship search, you should know:
- When do you plan to attend college?
- Are you attending full-time or part-time?
- List of colleges you are planning to apply to
- Intended major or program of study
- Academic and career goals
- Academic credentials, extracurricular activities, volunteer and community work, accomplishments, awards received, leadership activities, hobbies, etc.
- Unusual circumstances in your life (positive and negative) and how this affects you
- Personal affiliations of yourself and family – organizational affiliations, including union membership, workplace and religious affiliation
- Be able to describe what makes you unique
This personal information can guide your scholarship search as many search engines have unique search filters to help users find scholarships.
Tip: Do not apply for a scholarship unless you meet its eligibility criteria.
Popular free scholarship search engines include fastweb.com, finaid.org, and unigo.com.
If you are a New York high school student just starting your scholarship search, try Scholarship Opportunities on the New Visions for Public Schools website.
College Board scholarship resources
College Board is a U.S. not-for-profit organization that runs a membership organization which includes more than 6,000 colleges and universities. It is best known for its college entrance examination, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test).
BigFuture (bigfuture.collegeboard.org) is a free College Board web platform that helps students explore careers, plan for college, and pay for college.
- BigFuture has a 'My Dashboard' feature for those who create free accounts with College Board. Save your profile and research in one place.
- Scholarship directory searches 23,000 scholarships
- Create an account to get matched to scholarships
Local public high schools list scholarships and financial aid resources too!
Some principals and guidance counselors have created lists of scholarships that work for New York City students and post these lists on their school’s website for students and parents to view. Scholarships for Change features local public high schools doing a remarkable job of posting college information, financial aid, and scholarship resources online.
Have any questions? Our team of online librarians is here to provide brief responses to short, factual questions. You can reach the Ask-A-Librarian service by telephone at (718) 990-0728 / (718) 990-0714 or by email at or chat during business hours.
You can also text the librarians at (347) 697-4667 - text keyword "ASKQL" in the body of the message from 10-4pm Monday through Friday.
The best way to fight book banning is to read banned books!
Queens Public Library is joining libraries and readers across the country during Banned Books Week (October 1-7) and beyond to celebrate the Freedom to Read.
Join us for our virtual and in-person programs, help us stand up for banned books and authors on social media, and check out our lists below of some of the most banned books in America. Then, visit your local library, where all books are welcome, and read them for yourself!
Banned Books Week: NYC Day of Action
QPL's 100 Most Popular Banned Books
50 of the Most Banned Books in America: Borrow Them from QPL
QPL’s Banned Books Programs
We will be hosting several programs during Banned Books Week and the month of October celebrating the freedom to read. Here are some interesting and educational ones that we hope you will attend.
Visit the QPL Calendar to see the entire list.
Banned Books Week: Make-A-Mural
October 2, October 4, and October 6, 4pm
Arverne Library, 312 Beach 54 Street
Join us to create a mural of banned books with found objects, pen-and-ink collage, and your original design inspiration.
Banned Books Week: Quieting Queer Reads: A History of LGBTQ+ Book Bans in the U.S.
October 4, 5pm
Virtual
Join the American LGBTQ+ Museum for a conversation between Cory Silverberg, Brenda Bowen, Maya Gonzalez, Raquel Willis, and Asher MacInnis-Call, moderated by Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz and to discuss the history of book banning in the U.S., and the impact of censorship and erasure for LGBTQ+ youth. Stay after the conversation to participate in a hands-on, zine-making workshop at Central Library, led by learner, educator, and zine maker Neta Bomani. All ages are welcome.
Banned Books Week: Open Mic Reading
October 5, 6:30pm
Peninsula Library, 92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Bring your favorite banned book or get a copy at your branch for Banned Books Open Mic. Come read an excerpt from your favorite banned book and share your thoughts about the book and why it resonates.
Banned Books Week: Friends of Ridgewood Library Banned Book Giveaway
October 7, 12pm
Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison Street
Join the Friends of Ridgewood Library to honor banned and challenged books with a free book giveaway. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Literature to Life Stage Presentation: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
October 7, 2pm
Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Avenue
Literature to Life will bring Ray Bradbury's terrifyingly recognizable vision of the future to the stage. Take part in the discussion that follows the performance.
Banned Books Week: NYC Day of Action
On Wednesday, October 4, during Banned Books Week, New York City’s libraries invite you to join us on social media and support the #FreedomToRead!
You can share our special Day of Action graphics, a picture of a banned or challenged book that means a lot to you, or a message that shows how much you oppose book bans.
Let’s stand up to censorship! Visit our blog post to Learn More.
QPL's 100 Most Popular Banned Books
Get inspired by our list of the 100 most popular banned and challenged books in circulation at Queens Public Library during the past decade.
How many of them have you read? Use our list to check them out from your local library!
50 of the Most Banned Books in America
From July 2021 to June 2022, more than 1,600 books were banned from school libraries, according to a report from PEN America, an organization dedicated to defending writers, artists, and journalists and protecting free expression worldwide.
Using data supplied by PEN America, and first compiled by CBS News, here’s a list of the 50 most commonly banned books in America from the 2021-2022 school year, along with links that you can use to borrow them from your local QPL branch, download them as eBooks, read them in different languages, and more.
Learn more about book bans in the United States by reading PEN America’s report and visiting the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week webpage.
1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe (Adult & Young Adult)
Book | eBook
2. All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
3. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
4. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | French | Spanish
5. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
6. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Chinese | Spanish | Turkish
7. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
8. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
9. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Spanish
10. Crank by Ellen Hopkins (Young Adult)
Book | Audiobook | Spanish
11. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Chinese | French | Gujarati | Hebrew | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Ukrainian
12. l8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
13. This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
14. Melissa (previously published as George) by Alex Gino (Children’s)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
15. Looking for Alaska by John Green (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
16. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin (Young Adult)
Book | eBook (Boundless) | eBook (OverDrive)
17. Beloved by Toni Morrison (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Spanish eBook
18. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
19. Drama by Raina Telgemeier (Children’s)
Book | eBook | French | Spanish
20. Flamer by Mike Curato (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
21. Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) by L. C. Rosen (Young Adult)
22. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Graphic Novel | Graphic Novel eBook | Chinese | Hebrew | Korean | Spanish
23. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (Adult)
Book | eBook | Russian
24. The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson (Children’s)
Book | eBook
25. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
26. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Spanish
27. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
28. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins (Young Adult)
29. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
30. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Spanish
31. It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health
by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley (Children's)
Book | eBook | Spanish
32. Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
33. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Spanish
34. Sold by Patricia McCormick (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
35. The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives
by Dashka Slater (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
36. Dear Martin by Nic Stone (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
37. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Korean
38. Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
39. Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
40. Real Live Boyfriends: Yes. Boyfriends, Plural. If My Life Weren't Complicated, I Wouldn't Be Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
41. The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
42. Lucky by Alice Sebold (Adult)
Book | Russian
43. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
44. We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
45. I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel (Children’s)
Book | eBook | Spanish
46. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
47. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
48. The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (Young Adult)
Book | eBook
49. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi (Young Adult)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Spanish
50. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell, and Henry Cole (Children's)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Posts in This Series
2023 has seen a steep rise in book bans and censorship in classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries across the United States.
Queens Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and the New York Public Library are dedicated to free and open access to information and knowledge—a mission that is directly opposed to censorship.
On Wednesday, October 4, during Banned Books Week, New York City’s libraries invite you to join us on social media to protect the freedom to read!
Books can build bridges, introduce us to new perspectives, and show us we are not alone.
Join us on October 4 to celebrate the power of books, reading, and public libraries—and stand for the #FreedomToRead!
Ways You Can Participate
Starting at 10am on Wednesday, October 4, show your support for libraries and the freedom to read on Twitter (X), Instagram, Facebook, and more.
Use the hashtag #FreedomToRead to share why open access to books, information, and knowledge is important to you or your community.
You can share our special Day of Action graphics, a picture of a banned or challenged book that means a lot to you, or a message that shows how much you oppose book bans.
You can use the sample posts below, or write your own.
Tag NYC’s libraries in your posts as well!
Option 1: Share a Photo of a Book
Take a picture of a book (or a selfie with a book) that is meaningful to you.
Post the picture on your social media platform(s).
Use the hashtag #FreedomToRead and tag NYC’s libraries in your post!
Option 2: Day of Action Graphics
Download our special Day of Action graphics and share them on social media.
Use the hashtag #FreedomToRead and tag NYC’s libraries in your post!
We have versions that you can use for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X).
Option 3: Write a Message of Support
Even if you don't share a picture or use our graphics, we still want to hear your voice!
You can write a message that shows how much you oppose book bans and support the freedom to read, or use one of the sample posts below.
Don't forget to use the hashtag #FreedomToRead and tag NYC’s libraries in your post!
NYC Library Handles
TWITTER (X):
BPL: @bklynlibrary
NYPL: @nypl
QPL: @QPLNYC
FACEBOOK:
BPL: BrooklynPublicLibrary
NYPL: nypl
QPL: QPLNYC
INSTAGRAM:
BPL: @bklynlibrary
NYPL: @nypl
QPL: @qplnyc
Sample Social Media Posts
I’m joining @bklynlibrary @nypl @QPLNYC to stand against book bans and censorship. Here's the book I'm reading, what are you reading? #FreedomToRead
Books like this have the power to change lives. That’s why I am standing for the #FreedomToRead this Banned Books Week to oppose censorship of all kinds. Share your favorite book!
During this Banned Books Week, we stand with NYC public libraries to support the #FreedomToRead! Stand against book bans—everyone should be able to read whatever they want.
This Banned Books Week, I’m standing against censorship of all kinds and celebrating the right to read what I want! #FreedomtoRead
The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine continues to affect millions of people, including those still living there and those who have fled the country to escape the conflict.
Queens Public Library will continue to compile resources and information to help those affected by the war, and share links to organizations that are working to provide aid and assistance to those in need, here and abroad.
Upcoming Events at QPL
Poets and Writers For Ukraine at the Ridgewood Library
This program will feature Ukrainian writers and writers of Ukrainian descent reading poems and stories in the library's garden. Our readers are Vasyl Makno, Olena Jennings, Kristina Lucenko, Lila Dlaboha, Virlana Tkacz, and Vera Sirota. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Ridgewood Library.
Thursday, October 12, 6:30pm
Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison Street
QPL's New Americans Program
Queens Public Library's New Americans Program celebrates our borough’s diversity and helps immigrants and newcomers adjust to life in the United States.
We offer:
- books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, and more in over 30 languages
- help with the immigration process
- several ways for you to learn English
- workshops and programs in your native language
- and much more.
Learn More about QPL's New Americans Program.
Resources for Ukrainian New Yorkers
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs offers Resources for Immigrant New Yorkers in English, Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian.
New York State Stands with Ukraine: Resources for Ukrainians and How New Yorkers Can Help
The New York Legal Assistance Group's Immigrant Protection Unit is continuing to help Ukrainian nationals who have urgent immigration needs. For more information, please visit https://nylag.org/ukrainian-immigrant-assistance-project/.
Local Ukrainian Businesses & Religious Institutions
Varenyk House
67-14 Fresh Pond Road
Ridgewood, NY 11385
(917) 909-0257
Ukrainian Borscht, and Support, at Varenyk House (The New Yorker)
Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church
31-12 30th Street
Astoria, NY 11106
Email: hcukicc@yahoo.com
St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church of Ozone Park
97-06 87th Street
Ozone Park, NY 11416
Email: StMaryUkrainianChurch@gmail.com
Aid Organizations and Resources
Uniting for Ukraine (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole.
Options for Nationals of Ukraine Seeking Asylum in the U.S. (Nolo Network)
The USA Information Center for Ukrainians offers practical information and resources for people coming to the United States from Ukraine.
Upwardly Global is offering FREE resources to Ukrainian newcomers, U.S. employers, and community sponsors to support the successful inclusion of Ukrainian professionals into the U.S. workforce.
The Ukraine Library Relief Fund (American Library Association) will assist in the eventual rebuilding of Ukrainian libraries that have been damaged or destroyed.
UNICEF supports health, nutrition, education, and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.
Voices of Children Foundation provides children affected by the war with psychological and psychosocial support.
Doctors Without Borders provides medical teams and emergency medical aid to people in crisis.
The UN Refugee Agency helps people fleeing violence and war find safe refuge.
Razom for Ukraine: Razom (which means “together” in Ukrainian) provides urgent help and support to Ukrainians.
United Help Ukraine provides medical aid and humanitarian relief to Ukrainians.
The International Rescue Committee supports displaced children and families with vital supplies.
International Medical Corps provides access to medical and mental health services for those affected by the war.
CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund provides immediate aid including food, water and hygiene kits.
Sunflower of Peace Foundation raises money to prepare supplies for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
International Committee of the Red Cross provides emergency assistance such as food, water, and other essential items.
Save the Children provides children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support.
Kidsave is helping rescue children and families in Ukraine and providing humanitarian aid.
Queens Public Library Observes Banned Books Week, October 1-7, with Author Talks, Open Mics, Book Lists and a Citywide Day of Action Celebrating the Freedom to Read
Queens, NY_Queens Public Library will defend the freedom to read during Banned Books Week, October 1-7, through a series of events and activities recognizing the stories, voices, and titles threatened by censorship. The Library will also raise public awareness through large graphics at the entrance of every location stamped with the message, “All Books Are Welcome Here. Protect the Freedom to Read.”
The initiative comes at a time when book bans and challenges have been rising sharply across America, putting libraries on the frontlines of protecting the freedom to read. Although such book bans are currently not happening in New York City, libraries across the five boroughs have seen aggressive attempts to shut down Drag Story Hours.
According to the American Library Association, the number of requests to ban books is the highest since the organization began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. Between January 1 and August 31, 2023, ALA reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles - a 20 percent increase from the same reporting period in 2022. Most of the targeted titles were by or about people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.
“The recent increase in book challenges and bans — overwhelmingly targeting titles by or about people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community — exemplifies dangerous attempts to whitewash history and silence marginalized voices, ultimately threatening our democracy,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Queens Public Library stands firm in our commitment to protect the freedom to read, while ensuring open access to diverse viewpoints and ideas. All books are welcome here.”
As part of Banned Books Week, Queens Public Library is teaming up with Brooklyn Public Library and The New York Public Library for a citywide digital Day of Action on Wednesday, Oct. 4, encouraging New Yorkers to use various social media channels to show that their city abhors censorship in all forms. That day, people can unite against book bans and show their support for libraries by using the hashtag #FreedomToRead and sharing why unfettered access to books, information, and knowledge is important to them. They are also invited to photograph and post a book that is meaningful to them.
In anticipation of this citywide initiative, QPL’s Fresh Meadows Library (193-20 Horace Harding Expressway) will also hold its own Banned Books Day of Action on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 3-5 PM. Participants will learn about the current increases in challenges and bannings of books across the country, while writing postcards or letters to authors facing challenges and checking out banned books.
Other QPL programming highlights during this Banned Books Week include “Quieting Queer Reads: A History of LGBTQ+ Book Bans In The U.S.,” a virtual conversation organized in partnership with the American LGBTQ+ Museum, on Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 5-7 PM. Authors Corey Silverberg, Brenda Bowen, Maya Gonzalez, Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz and QPL Librarian Asher MacInnis-Call will discuss the history of book banning in the U.S. and the impact of censorship and erasure on LGBTQ+ youth. To join, go here.
On Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 PM, the performance-based literacy program Literature to Life will present “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury at Forest Hills Library (108-19 71st Ave.). Its terrifyingly recognizable vision features Guy Montag, a ‘fireman’ who, instead of putting out fires, starts them in order to burn books. There will be a discussion following the performance.
Also on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 12-3 PM (or while supplies last), the Friends of Ridgewood Library will honor Banned Books Week with a free book giveaway at the branch (20-12 Madison St.), distributing more than 400 banned books for children and teenagers.
The same branch is also inviting readers throughout the week to go on a “blind date with a banned book.” People will be able to check out books completely wrapped in brown paper, but notes written on the front will explain why they were placed on the banned list.
Corona Library (38-23 104th Street) will throw a Banned Books Party on Friday, Oct. 6, from 3:30-5:30 PM, inviting people to discuss their favorite banned books while dressing up as their favorite banned book character and taking pictures with fun props and backgrounds.
On Monday, Oct. 2, Wednesday, Oct. 4, and Friday, Oct. 6, from 4-4:45 PM, customers at Arverne Library (312 Beach 54 Street) can contribute to creating a mural of banned books made with various objects and pen-and-ink collage as part of “Make-A-Mural: Banned Books Story” program.
On Thursday, Oct. 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM library goers can read excerpts from their favorite banned book and share their thoughts about why it resonates with them during Banned Books Open Mic at Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard).
In addition, a virtual literature-focused discussion group, run by QPL’s Mail-A-Book program, will focus its fall programming on banned books with “The Storyteller” by Jodi Piccoult scheduled to be discussed on Thursday, Oct. 26, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee on Thursday, Nov. 30 and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison on Thursday, Dec. 28. Each program will take place from 11 AM to 12 PM. To join, go here.
Many of the banned or challenged books have been made into films. Throughout the week, a number of QPL locations across the borough will screen some of those movies, followed by librarian-led discussions, including: “The Hate U Give” based on a book by Angie Thomas, on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 1 PM, at Fresh Meadows Library (193-20 Horace Harding Expy), and “The Kite Runner” inspired by a novel by Khaled Hosseini on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 12 PM at Far Rockaway Library (1003 Beach 20th Street).
As part of Banned Books Week, all branches will be distributing banned books buttons, and QPL librarians have curated lists of the most popular banned and challenged books. To learn more about other QPL Banned Books Week events and activities, please visit https://queenslib.org/FreedomtoRead.
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Contact:
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016
Where to go and what to do when mental health is an issue
If your little one develops a fever, you call the pediatrician. If she breaks an arm or sprains an ankle, you head to the orthopedist. But when your child is struggling with anxiety or acting out with worrisome behavior, the next step is a little less clear. Should you reach out to a pediatrician or mental health professional? And if so—how?
For so many parents, it’s a familiar dilemma. One in five young people suffers from mental health issues, yet a shortage of adolescent mental health specialists has left parents struggling to find appropriate care when they need it. “Around the country, families seeking help for a child in a crisis often have to wait months for an appointment with a specialist, a delay that can cause great suffering,” says Vera Feuer, MD, director of emergency psychiatry at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Others turn to their local emergency department — a high-stress space best reserved for extreme situations.
Northwell Health has helped expand behavioral health services for kids and teens in mental or emotional turmoil. But it’s not always easy to know when to make the first move or exactly what it should be. Here is a guide to getting your kids the behavioral health care they need.
STEP 1: FIGURE OUT IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS HELP
School stress, friend drama, family strife: The life of a child is a roller-coaster ride at the best of times. Plus, surging hormones are an inescapable part of development, which means that unpredictable behavior is sometimes unavoidable. Take teenagers for example, says Dr. Feuer: “Sudden moodiness or impulsivity may seem like a cause for concern, but it’s typical for teenage emotions to fly high.” So how do you separate garden-variety volatility from a serious problem?
Look for significant changes, especially if they persist, says Dr. Feuer. “Any changes that last longer than two weeks can be a red flag, especially when they begin to impact everyday life,” she says.
Be aware if your child:
- Can’t sleep well or sleeps too much
- Shows a loss of interest in usual activities
- Feels overly sad, anxious, angry and aggressive, or having difficulty in school
- Exhibits changes in eating habits
- Struggles with social or family relationships
STEP 2: START WITH YOUR PEDIATRICIAN
You think your child could benefit from behavioral health care — now what? For most parents, consulting the family doctor is a good first step. Your pediatrician knows you and your child and, because she sees so many children, can provide an informed assessment of whether your young one’s behavior is outside the normal range.
Ask your pediatrician if she is comfortable and knowledgeable in addressing mental health issues. Since 2010, a New York State Office of Mental Health program called Project TEACH (Training and Education for the Advancement of Children’s Health) has been bolstering pediatricians’ ability to deliver care for mild-to-moderate mental health issues.
The program has provided psychiatric consultation support for more than 23,000 pediatric patients so far. (Northwell Health is a collaborator on the program.) Your pediatrician may refer you to a child and adolescent psychiatrist, clinical child psychologist, clinical social worker or other mental or behavioral health specialist for further evaluation, testing or treatment. Behavioral health therapies may include counseling, evidence-based therapies, education or medication.
Another good first stop: A school professional, such as a counselor or school psychologist. Such professionals can offer advice, refer you to resources and help coordinate a larger intervention team for your child if needed.
STEP 3: SEEK MORE URGENT CARE WHEN NEEDED
If your child’s emotions or behaviors are extreme or out of control, if he seems severely agitated and unable to calm down or is expressing thoughts of harming himself, he needs more urgent attention, says Dr. Feuer. In many cases, a pediatric behavioral health urgent care center can help. If you don’t have access to a behavioral health urgent care center, or if you’re concerned that your child’s or someone else’s life may be in immediate danger, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.
STEP 4: KEEP TALKING
It’s hard for kids to admit when they’re struggling, says Dr. Feuer — they may be embarrassed to talk about their worries or impulses, or fear they’ll be blamed. It’s important to leave judgment at the door. Talk to them about what they are experiencing, and listen with curiosity and empathy. Say things like: I hear you, I’m so glad you told me, I’m here to support you, tell me more, suggests Dr. Feuer.
WHEN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MAKES SENSE
Although the emergency department (ED) can be unsettling for a child in crisis, there are times when it’s the right place to go. Call 911 or head to the nearest ED if:
Your child has hurt themselves
If your child communicates that they’ve taken an overdose or has otherwise put themselves in physical danger, you need a clinical setting staffed by ED doctors, nurses and crisis experts.
Your child is not cooperative
Some children are resistant to help. “Parents may have very real fears that their child might open the car door, jump out and run while they’re being transported,” says psychiatrist Vera Feuer. “If they’re not working with you at all, that could be a reason to get 911 involved.”
There's no alternative
Crises don’t respect the clock. If your child needs help when the urgent care center is closed, the ED is the best option. After your child is stabilized, emergency staff can refer him out to an urgent care center for follow-up.
It may be helpful to tell your child about other people who experience similar problems.
Also important: Be sure to emphasize that their problems are not their fault, that mental health challenges are not a sign that something is wrong with them as a person, and that the family is on their side every step of the way.
WHAT’S TROUBLING KIDS MOST
The most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children ages 3 to 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are:
- Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and other disruptive behavior disorders
- Depression
Source: Northwell Health
Posts in This Series
Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the achievements of Hispanic Americans, the contributions of Hispanic people to our country, and the fact that there is no American culture without Hispanic culture.
Online Resources
Learn More about Hispanic Heritage Month from the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and their partner organizations.
Read President Biden's 2023 Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Smithsonian Learning Lab: National Museum of the American Latino
The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a free, interactive web-based platform with millions of digital resources. This Learning Lab collection focuses on the Smithsonian's upcoming National Museum of the American Latino, which will recognize the accomplishments, history, and culture of Latino communities in the United States.
QPL's Hispanic Heritage Month Programs
Join us for our virtual and in-person programs, including art classes, author talks, concerts, cooking classes, and so much more!
QPL's Hispanic Heritage Month Booklists
Adult Books
Unauthorized: Portraits of Latino Immigrants by Marisol Clark-Ibáñez and Richelle S. Swan
Our America: a Hispanic History of the United States by Felipe Fernández-Armesto
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America by Juan González
Book | eBook | Español
Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by Maria Hinojosa
Book | eBook | Español
Definitely Hispanic: Growing Up Latino and Celebrating What Unites Us by LeJuan James
Our Brave Foremothers: Celebrating 100 Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous Women Who Changed the Course of History by Rozella Kennedy and Joelle Avelino (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Latinx: The New Force in American Politics and Culture by Ed Morales
Hardcover | Paperback
Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity by Paola Ramos
Book | Español
Viva Hollywood: The Legacy of Latin and Hispanic Artists in American Film by Luis I. Reyes
The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
Young Adult Books
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Pedro & Daniel by Federico Erebia and Julie Kwon (Illust.)
Book | eBook
Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson
Book | eBook
Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera
Book | eBook | Audiobook
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
The Moonlit Vine by Elizabeth Santiago
Book | eBook
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
Book | eBook
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Children's Books
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle and Sara Palacios (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Español
Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo
Book | eBook | Español
Once I Was You: Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic by Maria Hinojosa
Book | eBook | Español
Los Monstruos: Felice and the Wailing Woman by Diana López
Book | eBook
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (Illust.)
Book | eBook
You Only Live Once, David Bravo by Mark Oshiro
Book | eBook | Audiobook
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español | DVD
¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third
Book | eBook | Audiobook | DVD
Plátanos Are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and Mariyah Rahman (Illust.)
Book | eBook
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael López (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español | Libro Electronico
Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States
by Sabrina Vourvoulias and Gloria Félix (Illust.)