Blog posts

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:

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

1. ​The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
2. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
3. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
4. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
5. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
6. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
7. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
8. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
9. The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennett
10. Klara and the Sun: A Novel by Kazuo Ishiguro

The New York Public Library (which includes the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island)

Systemwide:

1. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
2. Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus
3. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles
4. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
6. This Time Tomorrow: A Novel by Emma Straub
7. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
8. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
9. Verity by Colleen Hoover
10. It Ends with Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

Bronx:

1. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
2. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
3. It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
4. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
5. Dream Town by David Baldacci
6. Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
7. Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr
8. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles 
9. Run, Rose, Run: A Novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
10. The Match: A Novel by Harlan Coben

Manhattan:

1. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
2. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
3. Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr
4. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles
5. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
6. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
7. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
8. Harlem Shuffle: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
9. The Candy House: A Novel by Jennifer Egan
10. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry

Staten Island

1. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
2. Run, Rose, Run: A Novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
3. It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
4. What Happened to the Bennetts: A Novel by Lisa Scottoline
5. Dream Town by David Baldacci
6. Invisible: A Novel by Danielle Steel
7. High Stakes: A Novel by Danielle Steel
8. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry
9. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
10. The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah

Queens Public Library 

1. The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy Foley
2. It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover
3. The Judge’s List: A Novel by John Grisham
4. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
6.  The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave
7. Verity by Colleen Hoover
8. Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
9. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
10. 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

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney
3. Guts by Raina Telgemeier
4. Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
6. Wrecking Ball (Diary of A Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
8. Dog Man Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
9. Minecraft by Sfé R. Monster, art by Sarah Graley
10. Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

The New York Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children

1. Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 16) by Jeff Kinney
2. Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
3. The Ugly Truth (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 5) by Jeff Kinney
4. Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 4) by Jeff Kinney
5. The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 15) by Jeff Kinney
6. Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 6) by Jeff Kinney
7. The Getaway (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 12) by Jeff Kinney
8. The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 3) by Jeff Kinney
9. The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) by Jeff Kinney
10.  Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 2) by Jeff Kinney

Queens Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Children

1. Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey
2. Dog Man: Grime and Punishment by Dav Pilkey
3. Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 16) by Jeff Kinney
4. Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
5. Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey
6. Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey 
7. The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 15) by Jeff Kinney
8. Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
9. Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey
10. 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

1. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
2. Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
3. Bleach by Tite Kubo
4. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
5. One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
6. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
7. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
8. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
9. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
10. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

New York Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults

1. ​The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
3. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
5. It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
6. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
7. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
8. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
9. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
10. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Queens Public Library Top 10 Checkouts for Young Adults

1. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
2. One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
3. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
6. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
7. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
8. Bleach by Tite Kubo 
9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
10. 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

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

In 2022, NYC Library Privacy Week is running from Saturday, December 5 to Thursday, December 10. Alongside Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library, and the New York Metropolitan Library Council (METRO), Queens Public Library is hosting events designed to bring digital privacy and data security education to all New Yorkers.

Learn how to protect your digital privacy at our free workshops. We’ll provide tactics and tools, and be here to answer questions as needed. All NYC Library Privacy Week events are open to the public and require registration. Registration links are below. Please note, there is a mix of virtual or in-person only events, and please review event details before registering.

Phishing Scams (In-Person)
Register here
Phishing Scams, such as robocalls, phony emails, and misleading pop-ups, are on the rise and are becoming more sophisticated. Learn about some practices and tactics to protect your data and privacy.
Monday, December 5
1pm-2:30pm
Arverne
312 Beach 54 Street

Intro To Google Maps and Location Privacy (In-Person)
Register here
Learn how to navigate Google Maps and create a customized map with personalized pinpoints and directions to share with others! We’ll also deep dive into location sharing and tracking, using "incognito mode," and other things that may disrupt your privacy. For more information, please send us an email at jobsearchhelp@queenslibrary.org.
Monday, December 5
6pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Protect Your Accounts With Two-Factor Authentication (Virtual)
Register here
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the easiest ways you can protect your accounts online. Learn how to spot whether 2FA is available for a particular service, access your account when you don’t have a mobile device, and further protect your information with a strong password.
Join here.
Password: privacy
Monday, December 5
6pm

Don't Get Hacked (Virtual)
Register here
Learn how to protect yourself from online threats—from hackers and identity thieves to nosy neighbors at the coffee shop—in this privacy workshop. We will discuss how to create a strong password, stay safe on open Wi-Fi networks, using a virtual private network, and securing your mobile device.
Join here.
Password: privacy
Wednesday, December 7
6pm

Social Media Accounts & Password Safety (In-Person)
Register here
Join us and learn ways to prevent your social media accounts being hacked. We’ll also learn a safe place to store passwords.
Thursday, December 8
10am
Far Rockaway
1003 Beach 20th Street

Safe Downloading (In-Person)
Register here
Learn safe ways to download files on the internet, including music, photos, videos, etc. Throughout this workshop we will discuss things to look out for to avoid viruses on your device.
Friday, December 9
10am
Far Rockaway
1003 Beach 20th Street

My Computer Has A Virus (Virtual)
Register here
Learn ways to prevent your computer from being attacked by hackers.
Join here.
Password: privacy
Saturday, December 10
1pm

Intro To Social Media And Facebook, Instagram, And Twitter Privacy (In-Person)
Register here
Learn about social media, what it is, how we use it, and the capabilities of three major platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For Privacy Week, we will emphasize how to customize our privacy settings to protect your personal information and safely access your account. For more information, please send us an email at jobsearchhelp@queenslibrary.org.
Saturday, December 10
2pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard

NYC Library Privacy Week 2022 Recommended Resources

NYC Library Privacy Week 2022
New York City’s three library systems — Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Library — and Metropolitan New York Library Council are celebrating Library Privacy Week.

Creating Strong Passwords
Creating a strong password is one of the best ways to defend your accounts and private information from hackers.

Multi-Factor Authentication
Adding a second way of identifying yourself for your online accounts can be simple and easy with multi-factor authentication, and is a great way to protect your accounts.

Password Managers
Your data should be stored in a completely secured manner to be protected from any threat– password managers are one way of helping with this.

Digital Privacy Books and Materials available at QPL
Browse our collections.

More advanced Data Privacy Topics via LinkedIn Learning
Use your library card for free access.

This year, New York City has experienced a greater-than-usual influx of asylum seekers, and QPL is dedicated to providing support to these immigrants as they adjust to life in the United States. .

Here are some ways that you can help our city's newcomers. We will continue to update this page as more opportunities become available.

Clothing and Other Donations

New York Cares Coat Drive
Click the link above for an interactive map with citywide locations for coat donations.

NYC Stands with Asylum Seekers
The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City has a list of drop-off locations in the five boroughs where you can donate new clothing, toiletry, and hygiene items.

Volunteering

Team TLC NYC
This grassroots organization is committed to providing basic needs and support to asylum seekers and immigrants. You can sign up to meet and greet migrants at the bus station and airports. There are shifts open to anyone as well as shifts specifically for Spanish speakers.

Bowery Residents' Committee: Bilingual Spanish-Speaking Volunteers
BRC is seeking bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteers that can provide translation services, a kind smile, and casual conversation for asylum seekers. This includes volunteers at the BRC Blue Sky Residence shelter in East Elmhurst.

International Rescue Committee Community Interpreter Program in NYC
Do you speak another language? Join the IRC in New York and New Jersey as a Community Interpreter Volunteer to help interpret for newly arrived refugees and immigrants. They are particularly looking for volunteers who speak Arabic, French, Urdu, Spanish, Pashto, and Dari.

Cash Donations

The Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC recommends that those wishing to donate cash should direct their donation to the United Way of New York City through the United Way of New York City Emergency Assistance & Community Needs Fund.

What comes to mind when you think of philosophy? People in togas debating at a symposium? Academic professors in tweed suits? Neighborhood elders talking over a game of chess or Mahjong? Led by LaGuardia Community College professors Dr. Andrew McFarland and Dr. Cheri Carr, Queens Public Philosophy makes the case that anyone—no matter their background, age, education, or personal experience—is equipped to deeply consider and discuss life’s mysteries; which is to say, to be a philosopher.

Over the past month, Forest Hills Library and Queens Public Philosophy have invited customers to engage in a respectful, open dialogue on the themes of love and knowledge, getting the essence of how these phenomenon work in our daily lives. We asked Dr. McFarland to elaborate on the ideas and motivations that drive the Queens-based program. Read his interview (below) to learn more.

Saturday, November 19 marks the last session in the Queens Public Philosophy series. The theme will be consciousness. What is human consciousness, anyway—and are mind and body separate? Think boldly: join us!

An Interview with Dr. Andrew McFarland of Queens Public Philosophy:

What inspired you to pursue the Public Philosophy project?
First, “public philosophy” is an idea that has been getting more attention within our discipline lately. This push to engage more with the public will make philosophy more visible, and give people a chance to engage in dialogue with one another about some of life’s most intriguing questions. Moreover, the way that traditional philosophical research has been done in the academy has been cordoned off from the larger public community; expanding our public outreach can help our discipline become more diverse and vibrant.

Second, the folks who run Brooklyn Public Philosophy have been really inspirational in bringing more public attention to philosophy, and we thought that there was a natural way to extend the practice into the borough of Queens.

Finally, we wanted to find a way to start training a new generation of young public philosophers as a way to bridge the gap between the academic study of philosophy on the one hand, and having grassroots, public-facing philosophical conversations on the other. With a grant from the American Philosophical Association we were able to hire two student interns to train them to be future public philosophers.

What do you hope people take away from this series?
I want people to realize that philosophy is an interesting and worthwhile subject matter, and that it doesn’t necessarily have to be intimidating. I hope they walk away with the notion that big ideas are still worth talking about.

How did the series, and/or the session topic, inspire the attendees?
Initial reactions from attendees has been really positive. People really seem to like talking about philosophy, and our conversations with attendees has shown that.

What did you find most surprising and/or satisfying during sessions?
In our first session about love, someone suggested that love was all about selflessness—that you can’t really love someone if you prioritize yourself. But by the end of the conversation, many people seemed to think that the ability to love yourself was actually something that’s necessary to love someone else! So we started off with one idea, and through dialogue actually arrived at an idea that seemed to be the opposite of where we began.

Why was it a priority to have this project hosted at Queens Public Library?
We have been thinking about what Public Philosophy in Queens should look like, and one of our first thoughts was to partner with an institution really embedded in the community, one that does a fantastic job highlighting and supporting our amazingly diverse borough. Queens Public Library was the first that came to mind, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to work together on this project.