From sun to storytime, reading is in full swing this summer.
The Queens Public Library, New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library officially launched their annual summer reading initiative, “Summer at the Library,” on Wednesday, June 4, with a kickoff celebration at the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center in Corona.
Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, New York Public Library President and CEO Anthony W. Marx, and Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson came together to mark the occasion. The New York Life Foundation is serving as the 2025 citywide sponsor of the Summer Reading and Learning Programs.
The event welcomed more than 150 students from Louis Armstrong and Albert Shanker Middle Schools. Attendees enjoyed a variety of hands-on activities, including book giveaways, Cricut design demonstrations, photography and GIF workshops, Sphero robotics, virtual reality experiences, Kahoot games, a photo booth, arts and crafts, and more.
New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos also spoke at the event, emphasizing the essential role libraries play in supporting literacy year-round.
“Making sure that our youngest New Yorkers are ready to pursue bold futures begins with fostering a passion for reading,” said Aviles-Ramos. “That is why I am so proud to be partnering with our city libraries to launch the Summer at the Library initiative, creating access, engagement, and enrichment for young people across the city.”
She highlighted the initiative’s alignment with NYC Reads—a citywide rollout of the science of reading curriculum—and Summer Rising, the Department of Education’s annual program aimed at preventing summer learning loss.
Queens Public Library will offer dozens of programs and activities throughout the summer, including multilingual storytimes, author talks, and arts and crafts workshops. Its annual Summer Reading Challenge encourages children and teens to read at least 20 minutes a day for a chance to win raffle prizes.
This year, 40 QPL branches will host STEAM clubs focused on the theme of art and color, offering sensory art, music and movement, storytelling for early learners, and aviation and engineering workshops 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. QPL’s teen centers will also host Middle School Maker Clubs, where students can explore the science of color through experiments in vision, electromagnetism, and cognitive neuroscience.
Heather Nesle, president of the New York Life Foundation, said the organization is proud to support efforts that keep children connected to books and learning outside the classroom.
“Through initiatives like the New York Life Foundation Summer Book Giveaway, we’re working to ensure more children have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom,” Nesle said. “That’s why we’re proud to once again support the Summer Reading Program at New York City public libraries, which sparks curiosity, fosters literacy, and helps prevent learning loss during the critical summer months.”
For a full list of Queens Public Library programs this summer, click here.
