Download Your Summer Certificate!
You’ve done it! Celebrate your summer achievements with this special certificate, which you can download in English, español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), বাংলা (Bengali), or Русский (Russian) and print at home. Take it into your local branch—or pick one up there—to get it signed!
Free Book Giveaway!
We are giving away 500,000 free books for kids and teens at branches this summer! Drop by your local branch, pick up new books to take home for kids and teens to keep, and check out everything the Library has to offer this summer—and all year round.
Free Events and Programs
Join us all summer long in branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island for a wide array of free events and programs! Plus, Make Waves at our special “Summer Cruise” programs exploring our environment, how to protect it, and ways of making positive change in the world.
Make Waves with Our “Summer Cruise” Programs & Activities!
Join the Library for special “Summer Cruise” programs in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island—or download a wide array of activity guides to use at home—as we explore our environment, how to protect it, and ways of making positive change in the world.
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Summer Reading Challenge
This summer, read for 20 minutes every day, track your progress, and complete activities to earn badges and become a Reading Star! Register on our online reading portal, Beanstack, to get started.
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Summer Download Center
Download and print your own activity and reading tracker, reading log, and book review sheets.
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Summer Writing Contest
We want you to tell us about the people who Make Waves in your life! Who is changing things for the better—and how? It could be a friend, a family member, a teacher, or a character from a book. Send us your entry by Friday, August 5, and find out what you could win.
Summer Staff Picks
Our expert librarians have curated a wide array of fun, thought-provoking, and inspiring books for all ages to read this summer! Check out these books for kids of all ages, including picture books, libros en español, and more! Many are also available in accessible formats.
For Educators & Caregivers
The Library has a wide array of resources to support you and your kids or students with our all-new Make Waves program. Find out in a range of world languages what we offer this summer!
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Stay Connected
Get the best from the Library direct to your inbox! From our free programs, events, and exhibitions to activities for kids and research news, there's something for everyone.
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Library Cards
Join your library community! New Yorkers can access millions of books, e-books, digital resources, and more—all FREE with a New York Public Library card.
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Did You Know?
There are no more late fines at the Library—and all old fines have been removed—so you can borrow books and more from any branch with no worries!
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More Book Recommendations for Kids
Discover books for kids by and about a diverse array of people and communities, handpicked by the expert librarians and staff at The New York Public Library.
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KidsLIVE Author Talks
Explore programs featuring authors and illustrators from our annual Best Books for Kids list and more for younger audiences! These programs reflect the rich diversity of New York City and help kids to develop their creativity, talent, and love of reading and learning.
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STEAM Discovery Kits
Build, code, and stargaze with NYPL’s amazing STEAM Discovery Kits, available to borrow from 30 branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Explore robotics, astronomy, engineering, coding, and more.
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E-Books & Audiobooks
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Personalized Book Bundles
Tell us what you like to read and we’ll handpick a personalized book bundle just for you! Get Shelf Help in open branches, online, or by calling Ask NYPL on 917-ASK-NYPL.
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NYPL App
Explore Summer at the Library
Discover oceans of possibility at The New York Public Library this summer with free events and programs for all ages, book giveaways, our all-new Make Waves program for kids and teens, reading recommendations, and much more!
Explore Summer at the Library for all ages in español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), বাংলা (Bengali), Русский (Russian), and English.
Thank You
The Book Giveaway is supported in part by a generous grant from the Gray Foundation.
Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2022 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.
Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.