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For National Book Month, events assistant Marialuisa Monda shares why libraries are central to her life and central to communities.

Remember Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with this selection of her own words, biographies, chlidren's books, and more.


The Library is proud to be participating (via webinar) in the annual Open House New York weekend, October 17 and 18! Learn more about all the city sites that will be opening their digital doors.

For anyone who loves children's and young adult books: the Children's Library would love to select a book bundle for you.
One-Question Survey
We're talking U.S. presidents. What's your favorite president-related book? Biography, letters, reportage - all welcome. If you need a refresher or inspiration, try this blog post about presidents and their books.

TOMORROW! WRITING LIFE SPECIAL EVENT - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Microphone
Live from Your Living Room

Thursday, October 15, 6:00 PM
online | free of charge | registration required

Library members read from their own short stories, novels, poetry, criticism, memoir, and plays.

Reading slots are limited, and readers must be current Library members. To register to read, please contact Carolyn Waters. Selections are limited to five minutes or less and must be material in progress or newly published work.
WRITING LIFE WORKSHOP - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Write What Life Feels Like Now with Esther Cohen

Thursdays October 22, November 5, November 19, December 3, December 17, 3:00 PM
online | by donation | registration required

It's an unusual year. There are so many words to say how we feel. Let's try together.

Interested in this event, but not ready to register? Get a reminder closer to the next date.
LECTURE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Meredith Talusan
Fairest: A Memoir

Thursday, October 22, 6:00 PM
online | $10 per person | registration required
 
A singular, beautifully written coming-of-age memoir of a Filipino boy with albinism whose story travels from an immigrant childhood to Harvard to a gender transition and illuminates the illusions of race, disability, and gender.

Interested in this event, but not ready to register? Get a reminder closer to the date.
NEW! ONLINE CHAT - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
National Book Month: Independent Bookstore Chat

Sunday, October 25, 4:00 PM
Zoom | free of charge | drop in

Join Library staff and friends from two of New York City's great independent bookstores for an informal chat in honor of National Book Month. We'll be talking about bookstores and libraries, what readers are interested in now, and what's recommended and coming up. Bring your own questions!

Our special guests include Lexi Beach from the Astoria Bookshop on 31st Street in Queens and Nick Chase from the Corner Bookstore on Madison Avenue at 93rd Street. More details here.
CONVERSATION - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Kevin Kwan
Sex and Vanity
with Jacqueline B. Weld

Monday, October 26, 6:00 PM
online | $10 per person | registration required

The iconic author of the bestselling phenomenon Crazy Rich Asians returns with the glittering tale of a young woman who finds herself torn between two men.

Interested in this event, but not ready to register? Get a reminder closer to the date.
LECTURE - FREE FOR LIBRARY MEMBERS AND MEMBERSHIP LIBRARY MEMBERS
Leo Damrosch
The Club:
Johnson, Boswell, and the Friends Who Shaped an Age

Thursday, October 29, 6:00 PM
online | registration through the Athenaeum of Philadelphia required

The acclaimed biographer recreates a celebrated eighteenth-century London club that included critic Samuel Johnson, biographer James Boswell, historian Edward Gibbon, political thinker Edmund Burke, economist Adam Smith, painter Joshua Reynolds, and actor David Garrick.

Interested in this event, but not ready to register? Get a reminder closer to the date.
NEW! SPECIAL PRESENTATION - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
George Templeton Strong
Chronicler of New York

Wednesday, November 4, 2:00 PM
YouTube | free of charge | drop in

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of New York City diarist George Templeton Strong, recognized for his forty-year record of the city, and especially of the Civil War.

Join Library staff Harriet Shapiro and Cathy McGowan for a visit to Strong's 19th-century world with historical narrative, images, dramatic readings, and music. More details here.
PLUS
The Writing Life events in 2020 are generously underwritten by Jenny Lawrence.
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Library Hours
Monday and Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
We'll have plenty of spooky reading recommendations for Halloween, but we won't be distributing candy this year.