The New York Public Library Responds to Public's Needs in the Wake of the September 11 Tragedy With a New Series of Programs

New York, October 2, 2001 -- The New York Public Library has launched "NYPL Responds: Meeting Community Needs in the Wake of Tragedy," a new series of programs following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. In an attempt to respond to the broad range of community needs, The Library is working to provide patrons with enhanced services, both on our Internet site (www.nypl.org) and  in our libraries. These services include an extensive listing of emergency information, book lists and recommended reading on topics related to the tragedy, new programs focusing on how to handle grief and loss, strategies for parents and teachers assisting children in coping with their fears, and new storytelling hours for children focused on healing. In addition to new programs, NYPL is also continuing its strong tradition of community building with ongoing classes, workshops, and book discussion groups.

"The free exchange of ideas and information lies at the heart of a civil society. These values are reaffirmed every day through the collections, services, and programs provided at The New York Public Library and libraries across America," said Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library. "Having Branch and Research Libraries open to the public following the horrific attacks of September 11 is an immensely reassuring symbol to the communities we serve. Many New Yorkers look to us to help bring some coherence, if not normality, back to the lives of our communities and our fellow citizens. That everyone at The Library has pulled together so magnificently to keep our facilities open and running should be a great source of pride to the City of New York."

"In the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy, The Library has been providing a safe haven for children and adults to come to for critical information, for recreation, and for reflection, and to connect to loved ones via the Internet," said Mary K. Conwell, Director of The Branch Libraries. "In addition to extensive emergency information available in our libraries and on our web site, NYPL is preparing a series of programs for the Fall which will address grief, recovery, and community building, for all ages."

The library has responded to the September 11 tragedy in a number of ways:

• Emergency information for New York City and Ask Librarians Online, an e-mail reference service, can be accessed from the NYPL home page: www.nypl.org.
  
• The Directory of Community Services can also be accessed in branch libraries and online to identify local resources such as counseling, business assistance, and self-help groups.
  
• Lists of print and electronic collections that have special relevance to the tragedy and our recovery are available, such as directories of voluntary and public social and health agencies, immigrant services, and self-help groups, including ones for bereavement and trauma survivors.
  
• In-depth job information and business assistance resources are available at the Mid-Manhattan Library and the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) in Manhattan, the St. George Library in Staten Island, and the Fordham Library in the Bronx. SIBL offers the online Small Business Resource Center (www.nypl.org/smallbiz) as well as onsite business counseling through SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives. The "Ask a Question" service on the small business website is already being used by businesses that were affected by the September 11 tragedy.
  
• Reading lists on grief, mourning, and tolerance are available in multiple languages in branches and on the NYPL website. Included are lists specifically targeted toward children, such as "Being Brave" and "On Grieving and Loss."
  
• Teens are being invited to write poems about the recent tragedy and post them on a special section of the Library's website, TeenLink.

The New York Public Library is developing a series of programs for all ages called: NYPL Responds: Meeting Community Needs In the Wake of Tragedy. A sample of these programs follows. Please consult the monthly Calendar of Events for Adults, Young Adults, and Children, available free in all branch libraries, or call your local library for dates and times:

• Special programs that help build community and promote tolerance will be offered in neighborhood branches, as well as book discussion groups on relevant subjects.
  
• In coordination with local mental health organizations, special programs will be offered in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island on coping with depression, anxiety, grief and loss so  that communities will have a chance to gather, share their thoughts and concerns, and ask questions of mental health professionals. These programs will run in November and again in January.
  
• Ongoing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and literacy classes and conversation groups that support New York City's diverse populations will create a non-threatening atmosphere of community and understanding between people of different ethnic  backgrounds.
  
• A broad range of children's programming continues. Some will now focus on dealing with uncertainty and loss; craft programs will be offered to create cards and posters to  thank New York City's rescue workers. In November, many branches will conduct "Stories for Healing" programs for children.
  
• Open mic programs for teens to respond to the recent tragedy through poetry will be held in the Fall.

###

jbertrand: pro