Summer Reading at New York Libraries

Both public and school libraries are community centers at heart, with the same goal: to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all patrons and access to information in a variety of formats. When public and school librarians and library workers engage in collaboration, community members reap the benefits. This toolkit includes context and suggestions for creating partnerships of all sizes.

The Andrew Heiskell Library provides talking books and magazines and braille for people who are blind, visually impaired, or are otherwise physically unable to read standard print. The library serves residents who live in New York City and Long Island.

https://diversebookfinder.org/

is a blog with great storytime resources, including YouTube playlists and ideas about using puppets, music, dance, and more.

This NASA site has resources and many “at home” activities for K through 12 students. Parents and educators can also browse for resources, ideas, lesson plans, etc.

The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is a free library service for eligible residents of upstate New York who are unable to use standard print materials due to a visual or physical disability.

A national multimedia educational initiative that offers extensive resources to assist children, parents, and educators with summer reading.

A link to resources on Libraries and Summer Food, including a link to Read Up! A free 26-page resource for Summer Food Service Program sites and other feeding sites outside of libraries, featuring easy-to-implement enrichment activities that support reading, creativity, and fun.

is a peer community for storytime staff and includes storytime resources, Storytime University for professional development, and a place to ask questions.

is a federally funded program that provides free meals to children 18 years and younger in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children. Learn how your library, school, or organization can be a summer meal site or sponsor. The Summer Reading at New York Libraries partner Hunger Solutions New York can also help. For an article about the Summer Food Service Program in libraries see Summer Meal Programming at the Library. Also check out what other states have done with bringing the Summer Food Service Program to libraries at Lunch at the Library and Summer Food Service Program.

Pinterest is an amazing treasure trove of great crafts, programming & reading ideas. We’ve set up a number of Pinterest boards to share ideas. Please join and share your ideas. If you have a Pinterest account, leave a note on one of the pins, we’ll follow you back and add you as collaborator.

Librarians, educators and caregivers can find a variety of activity guides from Upstart for elementary-aged children. Topics include education, environmental and entertainment activities, with some featuring popular characters from Dr. Seuss, Pete the Cat, and more.