New York Public Library Launches “Summer at the Library 2023: Express Yourself!” with New Series

The Library’s “Summer Adventure” series includes branch programming and a free activity and reading tracker for kids to record their progress

The New York Public Library (NYPL) invites individuals of all ages to embark on an unforgettable summer adventure this year with “Summer at the Library 2023: Express Yourself!” This year’s theme, inspired by the creative energy and output of New York City and New Yorkers, aims to engage children, teens, and adults in a wide range of immersive programs and events.

Starting today, kids can head to locations across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island to join “Summer Adventure” programs in NYPL branches. The Library’s flagship program for kids this summer provides a diverse range of activities that inspire imagination and promote learning. 

Each week for the next six weeks the series will introduce children to a different aspect of artistic expression, allowing them to engage their senses, delve into the science behind artistic materials, explore the lives and works of renowned artists, discover the beauty of the city, embrace outdoor creativity, and learn to express themselves through art. The weekly themes are:

1. The Five Senses of Art
2. The Science Behind the Materials
3. Artists Under the Microscope
4. Sky’s the Limit: Cityscapes
5. Outdoor Studio
6. You, The Artist

The “Summer Adventure” program also offers 36 activities for kids to download or print off and complete at home or on the go. The activities are organized into three suggested age bands, all celebrating the theme of art in and of the city, and dovetail with the programming offered in branches. 

In addition, while supplies last, a special printed activity and reading tracker is available for free at all NYPL branches in English—and, from select locations, in Spanish. This tracker, which includes additional creative activity prompts and offers space and encouragement for kids to track up to 60 days of reading and creativity over the summer, is available to download and print in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Bengali, and Russian from the Library’s website: nypl.org/summer

“The Library’s ‘Summer Adventure series’ empowers young minds to unlock their creative potential, igniting a passion for artistic exploration,” said Brian Bannon, Merryl and James Tisch Director of the New York Public Library. “By embarking on this journey, children not only acquire valuable skills and nurture their imagination, but also cultivate a profound appreciation for art and the vibrant tapestry of their city. Summer at the Library opens the door to endless possibilities, serving our communities’ needs and year-round access to the library’s enriching services and programs.”

To ensure accessibility for diverse communities across the city, “Summer at the Library” materials are available in multiple languages. The main summer webpage, downloadable activity trackers, reading logs, and book review pages are available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Bengali, and Russian.

From June to August, New Yorkers of all ages can look forward to a multitude of exciting initiatives and programs. These include:

For kids:

• NYPL’s annual summer writing contest for children, which encourages kids to imagine the adventures of the Statue of Liberty when she comes to life and takes a tour round the city;
• Free author talks through the Library’s KidsLIVE program, featuring Ying-Hwa Hu, Katie Yamasaki, Karina Yan Glaser, Claribel Ortega, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and Shauna J. Grant;
• Storytimes and early literacy programming for the youngest learners; and
• Expanded availability of the Library’s STEAM Discovery Kits, which can now be used at or borrowed from 40 branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. These special kits, comprising books, tools, and toys, allow kids to explore robotics, astronomy, engineering, coding, and more.

For teens:

• NYPL’s annual call for creative work to be submitted for the Library’s Teen Voices magazine, a publication created by and for teens. This year’s prompt, inspired by the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, encourages teens to submit writing of all kinds (e.g. fiction, nonfiction, poetry) and art (e.g. photography, drawing, painting, multimedia) about how they express themselves creatively for the chance to get published and win a $100 gift card;
• Our newly expanded and enhanced Teen Centers, welcoming spaces just for teens that offer state-of-the-art tech and media tools for teens to explore their creativity and ingenuity including recording studios (in select locations), video and photography equipment, gaming consoles, 3-D printers, desktops, laptops, free Wi-Fi, and much more;
• Free branch programs exploring photography, zine-making, poetry, anime, and much more; and
• NYPL’s first Teen Voices Festival at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Friday, August 25. This special one-day event will offer teens the opportunity to meet exciting YA authors, connect with organizations where they can get their work published, take part in free arts workshops, and browse artwork by NYC teens. The winners of the Teen Voices magazine contest will also be announced at the festival.

For adults:

• Free curated programming that encourages personal growth and artistic exploration;
• Workshops with teaching artists from Roundabout Theatre Company designed to help spark the creative process through theater games, improv, writing, and more;
• Free ticket distribution for select performances of Shakespeare in the Park;
• “Creative Green” programming that celebrates the natural world through landscape painting, birdwatching, cyanotype printing, book discussions, plant swaps, and more; and
• Dance Party NYC, a citywide festival of music and movement taking place at more than 20 venues across the city including branches of The New York Public Library and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, our flagship location on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, on Saturday, August 5.

The Library’s Summer Staff Picks book list offers a wide range of enticing recommendations for all ages to discover for a meaningful and engaging reading experience: nypl.org/staffpicks 

Major support is provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2023 city-wide sponsor for the Summer Reading and Learning Programs.

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

These programs and initiatives are part of the Library’s overall commitment to our branch patrons and education programs, led by the Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.

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. 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.