Queens Public Library Partners With Libraries, Museums And Archives Across The Country To Celebrate 50 Years Of Hip Hop
Highlights Include a Conversation with Rapper and Public Enemy Frontman Chuck D, Symposium on Hip Hop Style and Fashion, and Panel Discussion on the Genre’s Impact on Global Culture
QUEENS, NY_ Queens Public Library (QPL) today announced it has partnered with more than 30 organizations around the country - including libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and archives - to commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip hop and to recognize its global artistic and cultural impact since its birth in the Bronx on August 11, 1973, when graffiti artist and b-girl Cindy Campbell threw a back-to school-party and had her brother DJ Kool Herc play music in the recreation room of an apartment building at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue.
As part of the six-month celebration -- titled “Collections of Culture: 50 Years of Hip Hop Inside Libraries, Museums and Archives” and funded through a $267,760 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) -- participating institutions will host dozens of in-person and virtual programs – including panel discussions, author talks, educational forums, and workshops – examining the genre’s history and influence on American culture and the contributions of its musicians, DJs, dancers, MCs, graffiti artists, stylists, directors, photographers, entrepreneurs and educators.
The core group of 15 participating institutions includes New York City’s three public library systems (Queens Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and The New York Public Library, which covers the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island), the Universal Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, NY, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District in Las Vegas, NV, LA County Library in Los Angeles, CA, the Free Library of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, Oak Park Public Library in Oak Park, IL, Great Plains Black History Museum in Omaha, NE, Trap Music Museum in Atlanta, GA, The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History in Atlanta, GA, Museum of Graffiti in Miami, FL, Black Beauty Archives in New York City, and Black Women Writers Project (online).
Sixteen additional partners will also offer programming as part of the initiative: Archive Alive (online), Black Bottom Archives in Detroit, MI, Black Fashion Archive (online), Georgia State University Library in Atlanta, GA, HTX Hip-Hop Museum in Houston, TX, Mixtape Museum (online), Mount Vernon Public Library in Mt. Vernon, NY, Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle, WA, Paul Robeson House & Museum in Philadelphia, PA, Roosevelt Public Library in Roosevelt, NY, SCREWED UP HQ in Houston, TX, VTDITC: Hip Hop Studies at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, William & Mary Hip Hop Collection in Williamsburg, VA, Wyandanch Public Library in Wyandanch, NY, and National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, TN.
The partnerships between libraries, museums and archives will create broader networks of support, increase inclusivity and expand access to each institution’s collections, outreach and expertise in cultural and information sharing.
The initiative will culminate in a two-day summit from August 3-4, in Queens, New York, which aims to further explore the history of hip hop and its expansion into different sectors of society, including higher education, marketing/advertising, other genres of music, social justice, civil rights, and economics.
QPL spearheaded the multi-organizational collaboration given the role of Queens in hip hop history and culture. The borough produced a number of successful hip hop groups and rappers, like Salt-N-Pepa, Run-DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Ja Rule and Nicki Minaj.
In recognition of the important role Queens communities have played in hip hop's ascension from a local art form to an international phenomenon, QPL established a hip hop program in 2015, when it hired its first-ever hip hop coordinator - Ralph McDaniels, also known as “Uncle Ralph.” McDaniels started the long-running music television show “Video Music Box” and is widely considered one of the gatekeepers of the culture. In his current role, McDaniels creates programming to raise the public’s awareness of hip hop, and its five core elements: MCing, DJing, graffiti, breakdancing, and knowledge.
QPL also preserves hip hop’s legacy in Queens through its collection of artifacts such as photographs, periodicals, audio tapes, video tapes, writings, news articles, flyers, and oral histories from people involved with the genre from its origins until now.
For the multi-organizational 50th anniversary celebration of hip hop, QPL, with the assistance of The Gates Preserve, a multimedia hip hop archiving and preservation firm, will help each institution create programming, and curate a digital archive of the programs, which in the future will serve as learning tools about hip hop for educators. The recordings will be catalogued in QPL’s Digital Hip Hop Archive.
“QPL’s hip hop program has drawn people of all ages and backgrounds to our spaces and has created a unique community connected by a love for music and knowledge,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are thrilled to share our experience with libraries, museums and other educational institutions across the country to celebrate hip hop’s 50th anniversary, and we are grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services and to our partners for their tremendous support in making sure that hip hop remains part of our culture for generations to come.”
“Hip Hop has been used as a learning tool for many years,” said QPL Hip Hop Coordinator Ralph McDaniels. “We are humbled by the IMLS grant and the response we have received from our partners and collaborators, and excited that communities around the country will come together to deepen their understanding of hip hop as it turns 50.”
“Never in the history of libraries, museums and archives have over 30+ institutions come together to lead a charge of this magnitude. We are honored to support this extraordinary feat,” said The Gates Preserve founder Syreeta Gates.
A calendar of events is available on a platform (https://hiphop50.queenslibrary.org/) designed by Virtual Experience Design Agency (VEDA). Those who register will have access to a built-in custom news feed about the various programs, notifying users about newly added events and updates. Users can also bookmark the events they want to attend.
Additional programs will be added to the schedule throughout the duration of the initiative.
Highlights include the following events and programs:
- On Friday, Feb. 24, from 10 AM to 5 PM (EST), the Museum at FIT (Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center; 300 7th Avenue), will host a day-long fashion symposium “Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style,” led by Elena Romero and Elizabeth Way, the co-curators of the exhibition by that same title, on view through April 23, 2023. The symposium draws on the expert voices of hip hop style from journalists, designers, and stylists to curators, professors, and archivists who explore topics that center hip hop fashion as a force that has shaped American culture for five decades. Talks and panels focus on the role of jewelry, custom design, media, collecting, and designer brands in amplifying hip hop's impact on fashion and society.
- On Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 AM to 4 PM (EST), The New York Public Library and SNAPS NYC will host The Culture Panels at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (455 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan) in celebration of Culture Weekend NY. The event will feature various panels with over 25 leading music industry professionals from a range of backgrounds like SiriusXM, Forbes, Kickstarter and Hot97. They will speak about their work in the music industry, including Mental Health and Wellness, Music Programming, DJ Etiquette, The Business of Music, and more.
- On Saturday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 2 PM (PST), LA County Library will present “The Compton Cowboys: A Legacy of African Americans in Equine and Western Heritage” with Randy Savvy, an activist, rapper and the founder of the Compton Cowboys, a group of childhood friends from the Richland Farms, a semi-rural enclave in Compton, who use horseback riding and equestrian culture to improve their community. Savvy will discuss the rich legacy of African Americans in equine and western heritage and their influence on music, entertainment, and fashion. The event will take place at Compton Library (240 W Compton Blvd, Compton, CA 90220).
- QPL will kick off its celebrations with a conversation hosted by Hip Hop Coordinator Ralph McDaniels with Chuck D, a rapper and producer, best known as the frontman of Public Enemy, on Monday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 6:30 PM (EST) at Central Library (89-11 Merrick Boulevard). They will discuss the history of hip hop and Chuck D’s new PBS docuseries, “Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World,” which focuses on hip hop’s political impact over the last 50 years.
- On Tuesday, Feb. 28, Brooklyn Public Library will celebrate 50 years of hip hop at its Eastern Parkway branch (1044 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11213), with a listening party featuring a turntable and vinyl records. There will also be a discussion, trivia and snacks.
- On Wednesday, March 15, from 12 to 1:30 PM (EST), VTDITC: Hip Hop Studies at Virginia Tech, will present “Mental Health & Hip Hop,” a conversation with Dr. Apryl Alexander, who deconstructs popular myths around mental illness both inside and outside of the Black community. The event will take place at the Black Cultural Center in 126 Squires Student Center (290 College Ave., Blacksburg, VA 24061).
- On Thursday, Apr. 20, at 6 PM (EST), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), will host “The History of Hip Hop and Its Impact on Global Culture,” a virtual panel about the 50th anniversary of hip hop and its impact on global culture via songs, videos, books, movies and clothing.
Programming at all organizations will run through August 2023.
“My first experience with Hip Hop was hearing the Sugarhill Gang and their first big single ‘Rappers Delight.’ I was mesmerized by the song and worked hard to memorize the lyrics. Many decades later Hip Hop’s pull has not wavered on me. With Queen Latifah’s ‘U.N.I.T.Y.,’ Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Push It,’ McLyte’s ‘Cha Cha Cha’ and Coolio’s (RIP) ‘Gangsta's Paradise,’ Hip Hop has impacted global culture and we are better for it. Happy Birthday Hip Hop! 50 looks great on you!,” said Nichelle M. Hayes, President of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA).
“Some of the most notable beauty trends and innovations were born out of Hip-Hop culture. Artists like Lil Kim, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa and so many more have paved the way for beauty brand collaborations and brand ownership like FENTY. Our programming this year will highlight the beauty practitioners who created iconic looks on our favorite artists who’ve graced magazine covers, stages, music videos, fashion runways and more. The opportunity to celebrate this rich history with QPL is not only a privilege but an honor,” said Camille Lawerence, Founder and Principal Archivist at Black Beauty Archives.
“Black Women Writers Project signed on to join Queens Public Library for the Hip Hop 50 campaign to help shine a light on the contributions that Black women music and culture writers have made to the culture. QPL's commitment to celebrating the richness of hip hop culture is evident in the wide array of collaborators involved in this project and we are thrilled to partner on programming that celebrates the brilliance and genius of Black women writers,” said Keondra Bills Freemyn, Founder of the Black Women Writers Project.
“I fell in love with Hip Hop as a teenager in the 1980s because of the music, dance, and graffiti. Once I started participating I was hooked and became a lifer. I’ve been an advocate ever since and the QPL program allows me to reconnect with my Hip Hop roots and amplify the work that we are doing to a much wider audience. Community is key and this campaign is all about it,” said Alan Ket, Co-Founder and Curator of Museum of Graffiti.
“It was hip hop’s global generation of cultural workers who gave me all sorts of clues and reminders of legacies of Black resistance through their beats and rhymes. Our museum directly uplifts Paul Robeson who utilized his bold presence and voice to forward the arts as a tool for social transformation, setting a blueprint for artists to engage in the powerful currents of global social movements. We’re excited to spend Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary alongside so many institutions who recognize a duty to, as Nas once said, carry on tradition,” said Christopher R. Rogers, Program Director at the Paul Robeson House & Museum.
“It was critical that the Mixtape Museum take part in QPL’s Hip Hop 50 initiative. Bringing these organizations together with a collective intention to archive Hip Hop is a powerful statement and milestone in our history. Hip Hop 50 is a call to action and moral commitment to rep Hip Hop past, present, and future,” said Regan Sommer McCoy, Founder and Chief Curator of The Mixtape Museum.
“As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities.”
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library (QPL) transforms lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. It is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country.
An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5.4 million books and other materials in 200 languages, technology, and digital resources. Prior to the pandemic, the Library hosted more than 87,500 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually and welcomed 11.4 million visitors through its doors.
Nearly every Queens resident lives within a mile of QPL’s 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center located in the nation’s largest public housing complex, two teen centers, two bookmobiles, and a book bicycle. For more information, visit www.queenslibrary.org
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About The Gates Preserve
The Gates Preserve (TGP) is a multimedia company committed to archiving, preserving and repurposing hip hop such that it lasts forever. To learn more, visit www.thegatespreserve.com and follow us on Instagram.
For the past year, the tragedy of the war in Ukraine has stunned the world and triggered a humanitarian crisis that affects millions of civilians, including children.
To help our customers continue to understand the situation, and help in any way they can, Queens Public Library has compiled a list of resources, including trustworthy materials with information about the conflict and the history of Ukraine, and books by Ukrainian authors. We have also listed a number of credible organizations that are working to provide aid and assistance to those in need.
Please see below for the collection of resources available through Queens Public Library.
Books, Authors, and News Resources from QPL
Where to Donate Supplies in Queens
Resources for Ukrainian New Yorkers
Local Ukrainian Businesses & Religious Institutions
Aid Organizations and Resources
Cultural Programming at QPL
Composing and Listening in Ukraine in the Time of War (In-Person)
This talk will present some of the most interesting art music composed in Ukraine as a response to the Russian invasion. Dr. Oksana Nesterenko will introduce the current work of prominent composers and discuss their experiences composing, listening, and living in a time of war. She will also provide a historical background that will help us understand the reasons why it is particularly important for creative individuals in Ukraine to resist occupation. The program will be in English, with Ukrainian translation as is needed.
Thursday, March 2, 6PM
Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Avenue
Peace for Ukraine: A Jazz Celebration of Ukrainian Folk Music
Join us for an evening of jazz arrangements of Ukrainian folk music in the rhythm of love with the New York International Band, led by Yaacov Mayman (saxophone, flute) and Lesya Verba (voice and harp).
Watch the replay on our Facebook page.
Ukraine is My Native Land: A Concert of Ukrainian Folk Songs
Ukrainian musicians Gennadiy Vysotsky from Odessa and Inna Leytush from Kharkov performed traditional Ukrainian folk songs like "I Look in to the Sky," "Dear Mother," "Nightingale," "Oy Djigune, Djigune," "Moonlight Night," "Gandzya," and many more.
Watch the replay on our Facebook page.
Books, Authors, and News Resources from QPL
Books in English: Adult Fiction
Mother Country by Irina Reyn
I Will Die in a Foreign Land by Kalani Pickhart
Oksana, Behave! by Maria Kuznetsova
Also available in eBook and eAudio
Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
Also available in eBook and eAudio
Lucky Breaks by Yevgenia Belorusets
Books in English: Books for Children
Ukraine by Anastasiya Vasilyeva
Age range: 6-8
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Valerie Gobarchev
Age range: 6-8
The Birds' Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story by Eric Kimmel
Age range: 6-8
A Boy Is Not a Bird by Edeet Ravel
Age range: 9-12
Also available in eBook
Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Age range: 8-12
Also available in eBook
Books in Ukrainian: Adult Fiction
Тарас, повернення : роман
Author: Олександр Денисенко
Ось я : роман
Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
Один плюс один : роман
Author: Jojo Moyes (Translators: Дар'я Беззадіна, Олена Кіфенко, Дар'я Петрушенко)
Books in Ukrainian: Biography
Ататюрк: біографія мислителя
Author: Şükrü Hanioğlu
Translator: O. I. Halenko
Київські митрополити XVII-XVIII ст.
Authors: Ю. А. Мицик, I︠U︡. A. Myt︠s︡yk, Дмитрій Рудюк
Digital Resources
Newspapers in Ukrainian (QPL Login required)
Libraries in a Time of Crisis
Ukraine's libraries are offering bomb shelters, camouflage classes and, yes, books (NPR/Boise State Public Radio)
Learning About the Conflict
New York Times: Russia-Ukraine
CNN: What does Putin want in Ukraine? The Conflict Explained
BBC: Why has Russia invaded Ukraine and what does Putin want?
NPR: Ukraine Invasion - Explained
Video for Kids: NBC Nightly News Kids Edition - The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Explained
Where to Donate Supplies in Queens
The Office of the Queens Borough President is collecting medical supplies such as first-aid kits, bandages, gauze, tourniquets, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. Donations can be dropped off at Queens Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. The donation area is a box located on the first floor of Borough Hall next to the security desk in the lobby, just inside the building’s main entrance on Queens Boulevard. The lobby is open 24 hours a day.
Resources for Ukrainian New Yorkers
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is offering legal assistance for immigrants, New York City services, and the address and phone number for the Ukrainian consulate. Available in English, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian.
New York State Stands with Ukraine: Resources for Ukrainians and How New Yorkers Can Help
Ukrainians fleeing war are picking up the pieces in New York City (Gothamist)
For many years, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)’s Immigrant Protection Unit has worked closely with New York’s community of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine. With an escalating humanitarian emergency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they have harnessed their language capacity, deep immigration knowledge, and partnerships with community-based organizations on the ground to serve Ukrainian nationals with urgent immigration needs.
For information in English, please visit https://nylag.org/ukrainian-immigrant-assistance-project/.
For more information, email Elvira Pinkhasova at EPinkhasova@nylag.org.
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 Celebrates Black History Month With Nearly 150 Programs Highlighting Black Resistance And The Many Facets Of Black Culture
In Addition to Robust Programming, the Library Will Distribute Free Journals Featuring Important Milestones and Icons of Black Resistance
QUEENS, NY – Throughout February, Queens Public Library will celebrate “Black Resistance” – the theme of its 2023 Black History Month observance – with nearly 150 comprehensive programs and initiatives, including theater performances, author talks, and art workshops for all ages, spotlighting various aspects of Black heritage, culture and resilience.
A sample of this month’s planned activities and events follow below.
On Thursday, February 2 at 5 PM, patrons at Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard) can explore “Quilting Codes.” During the time of slavery in the United States, enslaved Black people who ran away to find freedom were said to use quilts encoded with messages to help guide them on their journey. Quilting groups, like Ebony Quilters of Southeast Queens and Quilt-N-Queens, have formed in the borough to keep the tradition of quilting alive. In this workshop, participants will create their own collage versions of quilts encoded with messages to help guide us today.
Throughout February, the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center (100-01 Northern Boulevard) in Corona, which houses New York City’s largest circulating Black heritage reading collection, will present an array of programs dedicated to Black History Month.
Its offerings include the Annual Langston Hughes Day Celebration on Saturday, February 11, from 2 to 5 PM, featuring actor and writer David Mills's one-person dramatic rendition of Langston Hughes's poems and short stories, as well as a performance by The Don Hanson Quartet. Langston Hughes Library also will host Libraries and Liberation Open Mic” on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 12 PM. The event is inspired by the history of Langston Hughes Library as well as mobile libraries that were founded by Black people and organizations. These include the Southeast Queens-based J. Expressions, Reading 4 Black Lives, and Lena’s Library. The open mic also will explore the future of libraries and reading collections that represent a diversity of voices.
Black gathering spaces and activism will be the focus of a virtual art lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 1 PM, in which MoMA educator Jennifer Katanic will discuss “Just Above Midtown—or JAM”—an art gallery and self-described laboratory led by Linda Goode Bryant that enabled Black artist to flourish. Open from 1974 until 1986, the gallery organized exhibitions that explored the idea of artistic and racial mixture, encouraged collaborations between artists, and offered a space for community and professional development. To attend this virtual program go here: https://queenslib.org/3GIs470.
Throughout the month, QPL will present theater performances, including Shades of Truth Theatre’s presentation of “The Meeting,” a one-act play depicting a fictional meeting in Harlem between two of America’s best-known civil rights leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The play will be performed at Central Library (89-11 Merrick Boulevard) on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1:30 PM and at Hunters Point Library (47-40 Center Boulevard) on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 PM.
Another goal of the Library’s BHM celebration is to deepen the public’s knowledge about Black icons who lived and worked in Queens.
One of them - Louis Armstrong - is known primarily as a legendary trumpeter and for hits such as “What a Wonderful World” and “Hello, Dolly!” But he was also a civil rights pioneer who was not afraid to put his career on the line to speak out against injustice. Ricky Riccardi, Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum, will discuss this aspect of Armstrong’s biography during a virtual presentation on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 11 AM. To attend go here: https://queenslib.org/3i4CgMS.
On Thursday, February 9, at 3:30 PM, Bayside Library (214-20 Northern Boulevard) will hold a workshop, dedicated to Lewis H. Latimer, a Black inventor, draftsman, and poet who lived in Queens and is most known for improving the process for creating carbon filaments for light bulbs. Latimer was also the son of a fugitive enslaved Black man named George Latimer. Inspired by both of their stories, in this program, called “Jars of Light,” participants will make their own art “light bulbs” using jars, filling them with art and poetry “filaments” about resistance and liberation. Attendees are invited to bring items they would like to add to their jars.
Young library customers will also have multiple opportunities to learn more about Black culture and resistance.
During “The Role of Buttons in Social Justice Movement” program they will find out about the role of pins, buttons, and badges in the civil rights movement. Since these items could be quickly and cheaply made, bought, and sold, buttons were a popular way to express one’s politics. Participants will create their own buttons to reflect their beliefs and opinions on Mondays, February 6 and 27 at 3:30 PM at Rochdale Village (169-09 137 Avenue), and on Tuesday, February 28 at 4 PM at Glen Oaks (256-04 Union Turnpike).
At Arverne (312 Beach 54 Street), on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 2:30 PM, children will celebrate Black History Month by making a paper replica of Kente cloth, a colorful fabric from West Africa, and gain appreciation for the Black artists who make it.
During an art workshop titled “The Face of Afrofuturism With Ida Owens” middle school students (grades 4-8) will use inspiration from Afrocentric films, music, and images, to engage with mixed media materials and create their own Afrofuturistic face collage. The program will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3:30 PM at Ridgewood Library (20-12 Madison Street), on Wednesday, February 8 at 3:30 PM at Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard), on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3:30 PM at Rochdale Village Library (169-09 137 Avenue).
Teens will also get to learn more about Lewis H. Latimer and other African American inventors such as Mary W. Jackson and how they contributed to the STEM field during STEM Club at Queensbridge Tech Lab (10-43 41 Avenue) on Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 at 3 PM.
And as Hip Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, QPL Hip Hop coordinator Ralph McDaniels will host a book talk “Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: 50 Years of Hip Hop Style” with authors Elena Romero and Elizabeth Way exploring Hip Hop’s profound impact on the world of fashion, on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 5:45 PM at Central (89-11 Merrick Boulevard).
Patrons are also invited to attend an in-person discussion titled “Self-Care as an Act of Resistance,” led by Dr. Naika Apeakorang, a naturopathic practitioner who also is an herbalist and an acupuncturist. The program, focusing on how to use the resources and tools available to us to boost our own social and emotional well-being, will take place at multiple locations, including on Monday, Feb. 6 at 12 PM at Bellerose Library (250-06 Hillside Avenue), Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 4 PM at Ozone Park Library (92-24 Rockaway Boulevard), Friday, Feb. 10 at 2 PM at Windsor Park Library (79-50 Bell Boulevard), and Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 PM at Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard).
QPL customers may find further inspiration in free “Black Resistance Journals,” now available at all QPL locations and online . The journal offers facts about landmark moments of Black resistance, such as the enactment of the 14th Amendment in 1868, the New York Slave Revolt of 1712 or the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909, and includes information on Black Icons, who fought for racial equity through education, arts and culture, music, media, sports, politics, and more, such as activist and former Black Panther member Angela Davis, abolitionist Sojourner Truth, baseball player Jackie Robinson, and labor organizer A. Philip Randolph. The journal also features stimulating prompts to get the readers thinking about how they can get involved in resistance movements close to their heart today. Throughout the month, Library locations across the borough will also feature posters of various Black Icons.
Visit http://connect.queenslibrary.org/3287 for additional Black History Month programs, booklists, film screenings, resources, and more!
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library (QPL) transforms lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. It is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country.
An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5.4 million books and other materials in 200 languages, technology, and digital resources. Prior to the pandemic, the Library hosted more than 87,500 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually and welcomed 11.4 million visitors through its doors.
Nearly every Queens resident lives within a mile of QPL’s 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center located in the nation’s largest public housing complex, two teen centers, two bookmobiles, and a book bicycle. For more information, visit www.queenslibrary.org.
CONTACT: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org
QPL Honors The Legacy Of Martin Luther King Jr. With Author Talks, Book Recommendations And Theatrical Performances
A Virtual Conversation with Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, One of the “Little Rock Nine,” Headlines the Library’s Commemoration
Queens, NY_ Throughout the month of January, Queens Public Library will be honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – whose birthday is January 15 – by deepening the public’s understanding of his life and words through book recommendations, and events, both virtual and in-person, including author talks, musical and theatrical performances, storytimes, crafts and movie screenings.
The Library kicked off the celebration last week with the launch of a film festival at Forest Hills Library (108-19 71st Ave.) honoring the civil rights leader’s legacy with movie screenings each Friday at 2PM, including Ava DuVernay’s “Selma”on Jan. 13 as well as Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” on Jan. 20 and “BlacKkKlansman” on Jan. 27.
On Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7PM, the Library’s Culture Connection series will host a virtual Evening of Conversation with renowned performer Toshi Reagon and author/journalist Brian Alessandro. Reagon is a multi-talented and versatile singer, composer, musician, curator, and producer, with a profound ear for “sonic Americana,” including folk, blues, funk, and rock. Her expansive career includes residencies at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House, and multiple national and international festivals and venues. The program will stream live on the QPL Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Other highlights include a virtual talk with Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the “Little Rock Nine” and author of “Warriors Don’t Cry,” on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2PM. In 1957, Dr. Beals, who was 16 at the time, was among the first group of African-American students who enrolled at the previously all-white Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Three years earlier, the Supreme Court had ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that school segregation was unconstitutional. But Little Rock, like many other areas across the country, refused to acknowledge that decision and the teens were initially blocked from entering the school. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent 1,200 soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division to protect the nine students as they walked past angry, segregationist crowds to the school in an effort to desegregate it. Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, will moderate. To attend the event, go here (meeting ID: 853 0830 7213; passcode: 852268).
Customers at five QPL locations will also get to see “The Gates Of Equality,” a dramatic one-man performance about the life of the civil rights leader using his speeches, remarks from press conferences, and fictional narrative. Presented by the award-winning Off-Broadway theater, Urban Stages, the performances will take place at Flushing Library (41-17 Main St.) on Saturday, January 21 at 3:30PM; Hollis Library (202-05 Hillside Ave.) Tuesday, January 24 at 4PM; Ozone Park Library (92-24 Rockaway Blvd.) Wednesday, January 25 at 4PM; Forest Hills Library (108-19 71 Ave.) Thursday, January 26 at 6PM; and Cambria Heights Library (218-13 Linden Blvd.) Saturday, January 28 at 2PM.
The Library will also offer numerous storytimes and crafts inspired by Dr. King at locations across Queens, including at South Ozone Park Library (128-16 Rockaway Blvd.), where on Thursday, January 19 at 3PM children and teens are invited to work on a “We Have a Dream” felt quilt representing the dream of world peace.
A full list of the Library’s other programs and book recommendations for children, teens and adults commemorating Dr. King are available here.
Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016
We hope you will join us for our special events that pay tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
We also have recommendations for great books and movies about Dr. King, and a special resource from our Queens Memory team.
All Queens Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 16 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Queens Memory: Martin Luther King, Jr. at Queens College
Book Picks for Teens and Adults
Queens Memory: Martin Luther King, Jr. at Queens College
Listen to audio clips from the inaugural John F. Kennedy Lecture Series speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr. on May 13, 1965, at Queens College, City University of New York.
Special Events
Click on the link in each title for more information.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Film Fest
Fridays, January 6, 13, 20, 27, 2pm
Forest Hills Library
108-19 71 Avenue
***
Martin Luther King, Jr. Coloring Week
Tuesday, January 17 - Friday, January 20
Queens Village Library
94-11 217 Street
***
I Have a Dream Crafternoon
Thursday, January 19, 3pm
Ridgewood Library
20-12 Madison Street
***
We Have A Dream Quilt
Thursday, January 19, 3pm
South Ozone Park Library
128-16 Rockaway Boulevard
***
MLK Film Screening: "Selma"
Thursday, January 19, 4pm
South Ozone Park Library
128-16 Rockaway Boulevard
***
Screening: "Eyes on the Prize: The Promised Land (1967-1968)"
Thursday, January 19, 5pm
Langston Hughes Library
100-01 Northern Boulevard
***
Culture Connection: An Evening of Conversation with Singer/Songwriter Toshi Reagon
Thursday, January 19, 7pm
Facebook and YouTube
***
Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Storytime
Friday, January 20, 3pm
Ridgewood Library
20-12 Madison Street
***
13th Annual Dream to Read Celebration
Saturday, January 21, 11am
Rosedale Library
144-20 243 Street
***
Urban Stages Presents "The Gates of Equality"
Saturday, January 21, 3:30pm
Flushing Library
41-17 Main Street
Tuesday, January 24, 4pm
Hollis Library
202-05 Hillside Avenue
Wednesday, January 25, 4pm
Ozone Park Library
92-24 Rockaway Boulevard
Thursday, January 26, 6pm
Forest Hills Library
108-19 71 Avenue
Saturday, January 28, 2pm
Cambria Heights Library
218-13 Linden Boulevard
***
MLK Film Screening: "Selma"
Monday, January 23, 1:30pm
Hollis Library
202-05 Hillside Avenue
***
Martin Luther King, Jr. Bingo
Thursday, January 26, 3pm
Maspeth Library
69-70 Grand Avenue
***
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: Meet Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, One of the Little Rock Nine
Saturday, January 28, 2pm
Virtual
***
We are continuing to add events that honor Dr. King. Be sure to check the QPL Calendar for the latest updates!
Book Picks for Kids
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr. (foreword by Coretta Scott King; paintings by fifteen Coretta Scott King Award and Honor Book artists)
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr. (illustrated by Kadir Nelson)
The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. (selected by Coretta Scott King)
A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla
My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer and Jamie Smith
Martin Luther King, Jr.: Voice for Equality! by James Buckley, Jr. and Youneek Studios
Free at Last! by Angela Bull
The Cart that Carried Martin by Eve Bunting and Don Tate
Martin Luther King: the Peaceful Warrior by Ed Clayton and Donald Bermudez
Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Raúl Colón and Paula Yong Shelton
Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968 by Alice Faye Duncan and R. Gregory Christie
We March by Shane W. Evans
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris and Chris Soentpiet
March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris and London Ladd
Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Melissa Ferguson
Martin Luther King Jr.: Walking in the Light by Jon M. Fishman
Martin Luther King, Jr. by Josh Gregory
Martin Luther King, Jr.: Civil Rights Leader by Grace Hansen
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by Lisa M. Herrington
Martin Luther King, Jr. by Kitson Jazynka
Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?: A Who Was? Board Book by Lisbeth Kaiser and Stanley Chow
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III and AG Ford
1963 March on Washington (Protest! March for Change) by Joyce Markovicks
Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King by Jean Marzollo and Brian J. Pinkney
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial: A Stone of Hope by Joanne Mattern
I Am Brave: A Little Book about Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos
I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos
The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore and Amy Wummer
Dream March: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the March on Washington by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Sally Wern Comport
The Life and Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Ira Peck
Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
Martin Luther King, Jr.: Fighting for Civil Rights by Christine Platt & David Shepard
Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier
Martin Luther King, Jr. by Lucia Raatma
Martin Luther King...and the Fight for Equality by Sarah Ridley
Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford and James Ransome
A Place to Land: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein and Jerry Pinkney
Book Picks for Teens and Adults
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.
I Have a Dream and Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Trumpet of Conscience by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Companion (selected by Coretta Scott King)
The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. (selected by Coretta Scott King)
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (edited by Clayborne Carson)
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (edited by Clayborne Carson) (CD Audiobook)
A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. (edited by Clayborne Carson and Peter Holloran)
A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. (eBook)
A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. (CD Audiobook)
A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (edited by Clayborne Carson and Kris Shepard)
A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (eBook)
A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr. for Students (introduction by Walter Dean Myers)
A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr. for Students (eBook)
A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches (edited by James Melvin Washington)
I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World (edited by James Melvin Washington)
The Radical King (edited by Cornel West)
The Radical King (eBook)
My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King and Barbara Reynolds
My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King and Barbara Reynolds (CD Audiobook)
Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High by Melba Pattillo Beals
The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Perspectives on Modern World History) by Noah Berlatsky
The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Valerie Bodden
The King Years by Taylor Branch
Burial for a King by Rebecca Burns
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Encyclopedia by Clayborne Carson
Waking from the Dream by David L. Chappell
Waking from the Dream by David L. Chappell (eBook)
The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Jacqueline Ching
April 4, 1968 by Michael Eric Dyson
April 4, 1968 by Michael Eric Dyson (CD Audiobook)
I See the Promised Land by Arthur Flowers and Manu Chitrakar
Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life by Marshall Frady
An American Death by Gerold Frank
The Life and Death of Martin Luther King, Jr. by James Haskins
Becoming King by Troy Jackson
Life Magazine: Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. by Charles Johnson and Bob Adelman
My Time with the Kings by Kathryn Johnson
The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. by Peniel E. Joseph
Nine Days: The Race to Save Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life and Win the 1960 Election by Stephen Kendrick & Paul Kendrick
Kennedy and King by Steven Levingston
March: Book One, Book Two, and Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Martin Luther King, Jr. (Routledge Historical Biographies) by Peter J. Ling
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery
Today the World Is Watching You: The Little Rock Nine and the Fight for School Integration, 1957 by Kekla Magoon
The Murkin Conspiracy by Philip H. Melanson
Orders to Kill by William F. Pepper
Killing the Dream by Gerald Posner
Who Killed Martin Luther King? by James Earl Ray
Gospel of Freedom: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and the Struggle That Changed a Nation by Jonathan Rieder
Redemption: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Last 31 Hours by Joseph Rosenbloom
Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sides
King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop by Harvard Sitkoff
Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Final Year by Tavis Smiley
Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Final Year by Tavis Smiley (eBook)
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Dear Martin by Nic Stone (eAudiobook)
Chasing King's Killer by James L. Swanson
Sitting In, Standing Up: Leaders of the Civil Rights Era by Diane C. Taylor
Martin Luther King, Jr.: Let Freedom Ring by Michael Teitelbaum and Lewis Helfand
Martin Luther King, Jr.: A King Family Tribute by Angela Farris Watkins and Andrew Young
Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington by Stephanie Watson
Killing King: Racial Terrorists, James Earl Ray, and the Plot to Assassinate Martin Luther King Jr. by Stuart Wexler and Larry Hancock
Movie Picks
4 Little Girls (1997)
All The Way (2016)
Been to the Mountaintop (2006)
Betty & Coretta (2013)
Boycott (2001, PG)
The Cart that Carried Martin (2013)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective (1994)
Freedom on My Mind (1994)
History Kids: Martin Luther King, Jr. (2018)
I Am Not Your Negro (2016, PG-13)
In Remembrance of Martin (1986)
King (1978)
King: Man of Peace in a Time of War (2007)
Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013, PG-13)
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970)
King in the Wilderness (2018)
The March (2013, TV-PG)
March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (2008)
Martin's Big Words (2005)
Men of Peace: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela (2009)
Our Friend, Martin (1998)
Roads to Memphis (2010, TV-PG)
Selma (2014, PG-13)
Selma, Lord, Selma (1999, PG)
We Shall Overcome (2009)
Queens Public Library’s Queens Memory Project has embarked on an ambitious, new participatory digital archiving project—and we’re seeking your input.
The recently launched Queens Name Explorer map unlocks the history behind our borough’s named places—including streets, monuments, buildings and schools—in order to gain a deeper understanding of our shared, local history. Why were these places given their names? What’s the story behind the person whose name graces a street sign? Are they local figures or international figures? How are these people’s contributions remembered by the community? How are their contributions related to the joys and challenges we face in the present?
A recent broadcast from WCBS-TV, Channel 2 News featured Queens Memory Director, Natalie Milbrodt, as she explained the project’s timely mission and highlighted its searchable, interactive map, which currently lists over 700 named places. Hundreds more are set to go live over the next several months.
Some map entries are rich with biographical and photographic details, while others are still incomplete. This is where you come in! If you have photos or stories about the people honored with these named places, please consider making a submission today. If you know of a named place that is not yet on the map, let us know by clicking the blue “Add/Edit” button at the top right corner of the map and completing the submission form. You can also submit a new entry through this form.
Our goal is to publish as many entries as possible, and then work with volunteers to complete an “edit-a-thon” to finish remaining entries. The more people contribute their knowledge today, the more robust the site will be tomorrow—for us and for generations to come.
We are also tracking named street signs and other markers that are currently missing or damaged. This information will be shared with the Department of Transportation and the Offices of City Council Members, so that damaged signs can be restored and missing signs can be placed. If you want to report a damaged or missing sign, please use the “Add/Edit” button on the map to let us know.
If you have questions or want to learn more about this project, our team will be holding virtual office hours on Wednesday, January 4 at 11:30am. Register here to join us!
Or scan this QR code:
Posts in This Series
New York City’s Three Public Library Systems Share the Top Checkouts of 2022
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley are three of the most popular books in NYC
Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library each unveil the top checkouts for adults, teens, and children.
DECEMBER 19, 2022—New York City’s three library systems—the Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library—have unveiled the most popular books of the year, sharing the top checkouts of 2022 at each system for adults, teens, and children. The annual lists include the top titles in all formats: e-books, audiobooks, and physical books.
The top checkout for the Brooklyn Public Library was the novel The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, a mystery about a woman searching for the truth about her husband’s disappearance. The most borrowed book at The New York Public Library was The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, a novel about a woman looking for her best possible life through enchanted books. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, a tension-filled mystery told from different points of view, was the favorite of patrons at Queens Public Library.
Several of the books on the libraries’ lists were featured titles on WNYC’s “Get Lit!” virtual book club, a partnership with The New York Public Library, which was started at the height of the pandemic and has led to approximately 150,000 checkouts over the past two years. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, the top checkout at both Brooklyn and NYPL last year, remained on Brooklyn’s list. At NYPL, two “Get Lit” titles were featured: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub made an appearance on the system-wide list, while The Candy House by Jennifer Egan was a top checkout in Manhattan.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s historical fiction novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo appeared on all three lists and popular selections also included Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.
The full lists of 2022 top checkouts can be found at www.nypl.org/topcheckouts2022; http://bklynlib.org/topcheckouts2022; or queenslibrary.org.
To see the top checkouts at each QPL location, go here.
Adult titles are below:
Brooklyn Public Library
- The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
- The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
- Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
- People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
- Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennett
- Klara and the Sun: A Novel by Kazuo Ishiguro
The New York Public Library (which includes the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island)
Systemwide:
- The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
- Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus
- The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles
- Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
- This Time Tomorrow: A Novel by Emma Straub
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- It Ends with Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
Bronx:
- The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
- The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
- It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
- Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
- Dream Town by David Baldacci
- Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
- Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr
- The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles
- Run, Rose, Run: A Novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
- The Match: A Novel by Harlan Coben
Manhattan:
- Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
- Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
- Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr
- The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles
- Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
- The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
- Harlem Shuffle: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
- The Candy House: A Novel by Jennifer Egan
- People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
Staten Island
- The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
- Run, Rose, Run: A Novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
- It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
- What Happened to the Bennetts: A Novel by Lisa Scottoline
- Dream Town by David Baldacci
- Invisible: A Novel by Danielle Steel
- High Stakes: A Novel by Danielle Steel
- People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
- Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
- The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
Queens Public Library
- The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy Foley
- It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
- The Judge’s List: A Novel by John Grisham
- Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
- What Happened to the Bennetts: A Novel by Lisa Scottoline
“New Yorkers have character and it’s no surprise that this year’s top checkouts show they love good books with great characters,” said Brian Bannon, The New York Public Library’s Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. “The titles checked out at The New York Public Library this year are wonderful stories that invite readers to take a break from the hustle of everyday life and visit new places (and time periods) with interesting people doing fascinating things. We’re delighted to share these books with our patrons and welcome all New Yorkers to use their library card and choose their next adventure.”
“In a year where we saw unparalleled attempts to restrict and challenge access to books, New York City’s libraries continue to stand behind and protect the freedom to read,” said Amy Mikel, BPL’s Director of Customer Experience. “It’s wonderful to see New York’s readers reaching for books that spark imagination and illuminate the lived experiences of others, and bring us all together."
“This year’s list of top 10 checkouts reflects the eclecticism of our readers' interests,” said Nick Buron, QPL’s Chief Librarian. “For the first time in years, nonfiction didn't make the cut. The mix of mystery, thrillers, romance, fantasy, and historical fiction suggests a need to take a break from a challenging time. We also are excited to see Colleen Hoover make her QPL debut with two blockbuster, self-published novels.”
The top checkouts for children’s books at the three library systems predominantly featured titles from popular series, such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Dog Man by Dav Pilkey. For young adults, Malinda Lo’s teen novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club appeared on all three teen lists. The book was a featured title of the libraries’ Banned Book Challenge in May, which encouraged New Yorkers to read 10 banned books.
The top 10 books for children and teens are listed below.
TOP 10 LISTS FOR CHILDREN
Brooklyn Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
- Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney
- Guts by Raina Telgemeier
- Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
- Wrecking Ball (Diary of A Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- Dog Man Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
- Minecraft by Sfé R. Monster, art by Sarah Graley
- Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
The New York Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children
- Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 16) by Jeff Kinney
- Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
- The Ugly Truth (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 5) by Jeff Kinney
- Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 4) by Jeff Kinney
- The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 15) by Jeff Kinney
- Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 6) by Jeff Kinney
- The Getaway (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 12) by Jeff Kinney
- The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 3) by Jeff Kinney
- The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) by Jeff Kinney
- Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 2) by Jeff Kinney
Queens Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children
- Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey
- Dog Man: Grime and Punishment by Dav Pilkey
- Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 16) by Jeff Kinney
- Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
- Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey
- Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey
- The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 15) by Jeff Kinney
- Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
- Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey
- The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) by Jeff Kinney
TOP 10 LISTS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Brooklyn Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
- Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
- Bleach by Tite Kubo
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
New York Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
- It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
- The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
Queens Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
- One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
- Bleach by Tite Kubo
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.
About The New York Public Library
For over 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With over 90 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in multiple languages, technology and digital resources, and more than 80,000 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually. QPL consists of 66 locations across the borough, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center, one universal pre-kindergarten, and two teen centers that attracted more than 11 million visitors in 2019.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Amy Geduldig, New York Public Library, amygeduldig@nypl.org
Fritzi Bodenheimer, Brooklyn Public Library, fbodenheimer@bklynlibrary.org
Elisabeth de Bourbon, Queens Public Library, edebourbon@queenslibrary.org
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Here is the Library's holiday schedule for the end of December 2022.
All Queens Public Library locations will be closed on Saturday, December 24; on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25; and on Monday, December 26.
All QPL locations will be closed on Saturday, December 31; on New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2023; and on Monday, January 2, 2023.
QPL's telephone reference and Chat with a Librarian services will also be unavailable.
Our digital media is always available from anywhere with an Internet connection—enjoy eBooks, eMagazines, music, movies, and more.
We wish you happy holidays and look forward to seeing you in 2023!
Do you remember your first library card? I do.
I was eight years old when my mother took me to the South Hollis branch of Queens Public Library. She told me to speak up and tell the librarian that I wanted a library card. I am still astounded by the idea that there’s a place you can go to get free books. You read them, bring them back, and they give you more. All you need is a library card.
The South Hollis Library became the cornerstone of my world as a child. I lost myself in volumes of Greek mythology, science fiction, fiction — every one of the Encyclopedia Brown books I could get my hands on — without ever imagining I might grow up and write books of my own one day.
Now as an adult, an author, and the Dean of a journalism school, I know everything I did and everything I’ve been able to do has flowed from the moment I received my first library card. That’s why I feel an immense debt of gratitude to Queens Public Library.
No matter what I do, I don’t think I can ever completely repay that debt. But I can give back so that the next neighborhood kid can also find a world of discovery on the Library’s shelves.
I hope you feel the same way, because Queens Public Library needs our support to continue thriving for new generations of readers.
Please join me and give to Queens Public Library during this holiday season. It’s the best gift you can give to children (and adults), to our community, and to the future.
With my best wishes,
Jelani Cobb,
Dean, Columbia Journalism School
Queens Public Library Adds On-Demand, Live Phone Interpretation Service In 240+ Languages At Every Location
LanguageLine Allows Speakers of Different Languages to Communicate with the Assistance of an Interpreter
Queens, NY_Queens Public Library today announced that every branch now offers live phone interpreting services in more than 240 languages, ensuring greater access to its collections, programs and services in the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country.
According to the 2020 Census, half of the population of Queens was born outside of the U.S. and more than 28 percent of the borough’s population have limited English proficiency. Those residents often need additional assistance the most, as they try to build a new life in the U.S. while navigating the complex systems of housing, education, healthcare, employment, and more.
At each QPL location, a reference or circulation desk is now equipped with a phone that has two handsets. After identifying their language from a chart, customers can have a three-way communication with a library staff and an interpreter.
In the four months since Queens Public Library first began testing the LanguageLine service, QPL librarians at numerous locations across the borough, from Central and Flushing to Poppenhusen, Queensboro Hill and South Ozone Park, were able to assist customers speaking Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Arabic, Pashto, Russian and Urdu, among other languages.
“Offering live, on-demand interpretation services by phone in one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world builds on our longstanding commitment to serving all New Yorkers, whatever languages they speak,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Our goal is to ensure that every person coming through our doors receives the assistance they need to be successful in their lives, and the introduction of LanguageLine, with interpretation in more than 240 languages, removes a significant barrier.”
In 2019, when Queens Public Library launched its “Renewed Promise to the Public,” a long-term initiative to honor and serve the diversity of our customers and communities, we also adopted a new tagline – “We Speak Your Language.” While taken figuratively, it means that we understand our customers, are here for them, and will help them get where they want to go, whatever their interests, needs, or circumstances, taken literally, the tagline means that we aspire to speak the many native languages of Queens residents.
At that time, in order to help bridge the language gap and provide our immigrant customers with high quality service, all QPL locations received tablets dedicated to Google Translate so staff could have conversations in multiple languages with customers. The Library also introduced Travis translation devices at every site, which can translate speech into another language and speak it back.
In 2020, the Library had been planning to introduce access to LanguageLine, a new service offering telephone interpretation via an 800 number, especially useful for lesser-known languages. But the pandemic put a two-year pause on the rollout.
“Residents of Queens speak over 190 languages and with the introduction of LanguageLine at all of our locations, our customers can now receive assistance in their preferred language with just a phone call from a staff member to a live interpreter,” said Fred Gitner, Assistant Director of New Initiatives & Partnership Liaison at the QPL’s New Americans Program, which coordinates the Library’s many multilingual programs and immigrant services. “Now, we can truly say that at Queens Public Library, we speak your language!”
The Library’s IT team is also in the process of installing an upgrade to the QPL mobile app that translates its content into 96 languages through a dropdown menu, allowing people greater access to our resources when they are on the go. This new feature is currently available in Android and will soon be available in iOS as well.
For more information about Queens Public Library’s programs and services for immigrants offered in multiple languages, go here.
ABOUT QUEENS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Queens Public Library (QPL) transforms lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. It is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country.
An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5.4 million books and other materials in 200 languages, technology, and digital resources. Prior to the pandemic, the Library hosted more than 87,500 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually and welcomed 11.4 million visitors through its doors.
Nearly every Queens resident lives within a mile of QPL’s 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center located in the nation’s largest public housing complex, two teen centers, two bookmobiles, and a book bicycle. For more information, visit www.queenslibrary.org
Contact: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016