City-Wide Summer at the Library Kicks off at New York, Queens, and Brooklyn Public Libraries

The annual initiative supports readers of all ages throughout the summer with programs, events, and activities

The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library launched Summer at the Library, an annual initiative that inspires year-round reading through programs for kids and teens, events and activities for adults, reading recommendations, exhibitions, and much more.

At the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, The New York Public Library President and CEO Anthony W. Marx, and Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson together emphasized the importance of libraries in supporting New Yorkers of all ages in their access to books across the summer months. 

The New York Life Foundation is the 2025 city-wide sponsor for Summer Reading and Learning Programs.

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos spoke at the event, underscoring the role of libraries as a resource and destination for students as the school year comes to a close.  

160 students were in attendance from Louis Armstrong and Albert Shanker Middle Schools. The event featured book giveaways and 10 engaging activities, including Cricut, photography, and GIF workshops, Sphero robot, VR and Kahoot presentations, a photobooth, arts and crafts, games, and more.

Reading for pleasure has gradually been declining, according to data from the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

Yet research suggests that summer reading can positively impact literacy and academic performance, especially when blended with interactive or recreational activities. Further, “leisure reading” contributes to stress reduction and improves mental well-being. 

Hundreds of events, programs, and activities will be held across The New York Public Library, Queens Public Library, and Brooklyn Public Library. 

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Highlights of Summer at the Library programming at The New York Public Library include: 

• Free programs for kids, including the annual writing contest, a six-week Summer Adventure program series, and summer reading trackers—available in local branches.
• Free programs for teens, including the new Teen Zine Challenge, the annual Teen Voices Festival, and NYPL’s annual Anti-Prom events.
• Free programs for adults, including the “Summer Reading Adventure,” held in partnership with the National Book Foundation, and free reading parties with Reading Rhythms.

Discover the full line-up of events on https://www.nypl.org/summer/2025, and apply for an NYPL library card at https://www.nypl.org/help/library-card. 

Additional support for The New York Public Library’s Summer Learning program is provided by Jane Lauder; The Rona Jaffe Foundation; New York Yankees Foundation; Montblanc; anonymous donors; and the continuing major support of the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences.

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

QUEENS PUBLIC LIBRARY

Throughout the summer, QPL will host dozens of programs and activities, including multilingual storytimes, author talks, and arts and crafts. As part of its annual Summer Reading Challenge, the Library will encourage children and teens to read for at least 20 minutes a day for a chance to win raffle prizes.

Forty QPL locations will also offer STEAM clubs tailored to different age groups, all aligned with this year’s summer theme of art and color. Programs will include sensory art, storytelling, and music and movement for early learners, as well as aviation and engineering activities for teens.

Special club offerings include Tween Cricut Club at North Hills Library, Financial Literacy Club at Baisley Park Library, Comic Readers and Creators Club at Bayside Library, and a Hip Hop Dance Series at Far Rockaway Library.

Additionally, QPL will host a Middle School Maker Club at its teen centers and innovation stations, where students can explore the science of color through hands-on experiments in vision, electromagnetism, and cognitive neuroscience.

QPL will distribute free books for youth—from early learners to teens—at the Children’s Library Discovery Center on June 5, at Corona Library on June 6, and at both Flushing and Langston Hughes Libraries on June 7.

For a full list of programs and events, visit Summer Reading 2025 – Queens Public Library. 

BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Brooklyn Public Library will kick off summer activities with activities and book giveaways June 5 at Macon and Williamsburgh Libraries, on June 6 at Sheepshead Bay and McKinley Park Libraries, and on June 7 at Rugby and Bedford Libraries. Visit the website for times and details.

Programs will run all summer long including reading with a therapy dog at Central Library, family concerts in the garden at Park Slope Library, a comic book workshop at Rugby Library and a series of foraging workshops at Greenpoint Library where teens can learn how wild urban plants can support health and nutrition.

BPL’s Teen Tech Centers are open this summer and the Book MatchTeen service (for teens, by teens) can provide personalized recommendations so you can find a great book this summer.

Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2025 city-wide sponsor for Summer Reading and Learning Programs.

Lead support for Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading 2025 program is provided by the National Grid Foundation. The program is generously supported by the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. CBS2/WLNY is the official media partner for Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading 2025 program.

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. 

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 50 languages, technology and digital resources. Each year, the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational, cultural, and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors. With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens, the Library consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center located in the nation’s largest public housing complex, and a community learning center at another public housing complex, the Ravenswood Houses. It also has five teen centers, two bookmobiles, and two book bicycles. 

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 New York LIfe Foundation

Inspired by New York Life’s tradition of service and humanity, the New York Life Foundation has, since its founding in 1979, provided over $470 million in charitable contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation supports programs that benefit young people, particularly in the areas of educational enhancement and childhood bereavement. The Foundation also encourages and facilitates the community involvement of employees and agents of New York Life through its Volunteers for Good program and Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative. To learn more, please visit newyorklifefoundation.org.