Community Information Service

Screenshot of the Directory of Community ServicesThe Community Information Service (CIS) provides quick access to information about essential services in your neighborhood. Each branch library of The New York Public Library keeps an up-to-date file of its local community and city-wide services. You can find information about community groups, consumer and educational organizations, health and social service agencies and religious, recreational and cultural institutions. Many of these programs and services are not listed anywhere else. The heart of the Community Information Service is our own online Directory of Community Services (DCS) which is complemented by a special collection of related handbooks and guides. Individual branch library pages also provide local community information including elected officials, neighborhood demographics, schools, etc.

Directory of Community Services

The Directory of Community Services (DCS) is an online database in English and Spanish of hundreds of neighborhood not-for-profit organizations and groups offering programs and services to the public in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. You can access information about these agencies with three easy-to-use search methods: by organization name, by subject (such as Day care, English as a second language, Senior citizens) or by keyword (find organizations which have that word anywhere in their record). Subject or keyword searches can be further narrowed by borough, zip code, languages spoken by staff, wheelchair accessibility, and other selected criteria.

The DCS is also available online at the 87 branches of The New York Public Library as well as the divisions of the Research Library. Visit your local branch library in Manhattan, the Bronx or Staten Island. Library staff will be pleased to help you with the directory and other Community Information materials.

Web Access: English | Spanish

Telnet Access: DCS via Telnet | Requires telnet software. At login, type leo.

Community Information Service Collection

  • At your neighborhood branch you will find a special collection of handbooks, guides, pamphlets, and brochures.
  • View a printable list of NYC resources in PDF format:   English | Spanish
  • Best of the Web -- NYC maps, online guides, resources for seniors, persons without homes, and more.

Community Information Display Screens

Community information display screens are now live in five locations. The screens provide visitors to the branch with current information on events happening in the Library as well as outside in the local community. If you operate a nonprofit organization that serves residents in the Bronx, Manhattan, or Staten Island, you can promote your community events and services on these electronic bulletin boards. Download the form and email or bring it to one of the branches below to be listed.

Community Information Display Screens Content Submission form (PDF )

The Bronx
Grand Concourse Branch
155 East 173rd Street
Bronx, NY 10457
(718) 583-6611
grand_concourse@nypl.org

Parkchester Branch
1985 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
(718) 829-7830
parkchester@nypl.org

Manhattan
Countee Cullen Branch
104 West 136th Street
New York, NY 10030-2695
(212) 491-2070
countee_cullen@nypl.org

Seward Park Branch
192 East Broadway
New York, NY 10002-5597
(212) 477-6770
seward_park@nypl.org

Staten Island
St. George Library Center
5 Central Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 442-8560
st_george@nypl.org

Contact cis@nypl.org for more information.