A Message from the Head Librarian
News and Links

Today is the last day to enter the 18th Annual Young Writers Awards!

What do we need right now? Comfort Reading, that's what.

The Children's Library suggests great resources for families at home - for younger kids and their parents and for older kids and their parents.

Welcome to National Poetry Month! Member writer Esther Cohen says Maybe Poems Can Help a Little Now. (See below for an upcoming digital workshop with her!)

We got One Last Dash to the Stacks (for now). What did we take home?

We look forward to being back in the Peluso Family Exhibition Gallery - but in the meantime, you can take a close look at the wonderful work of Margaret Armstrong in this online gallery.

The NYC Urban Sketchers visited the Library in February and shared their beautiful artworks with us - like the sketch by Raylie Dunkel at right.


And in Women's History Month, we learned about historic women of the NYSL.

Here's a silver lining: Work on the sidewalk in front of the Library is happening now (pre-planned public safety projects are deemed essential). It should be all finished by the time we reopen.
One-Question Survey

What are you reading from home? SHARE YOUR ANSWER HERE.

Last month we asked which classic detective you'd recruit in the face of a thorny mystery.

Write-in winners included Mma Precious Ramotswe, Adam Dalgliesh, Maigret, Commissario Guido Brunetti, Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch, and Phryne Fisher ("dressed to the nines!"). And whoever wrote in "Encyclopedia Brown" - we love you.
The New York City Book Awards
The Library is delighted to announce the winners of the 2019-2020 New York City Book Awards:

THE 2019-2020 NEW YORK CITY BOOK AWARDS ARE GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY ELLEN M. ISEMAN.
NEW! ONLINE WORKSHOP - FOR MEMBERS
Esther Cohen

Thursday, April 2, 3:00 PM
Thursday, April 16, 3:0 0 PM (separate sessions)
on the Zoom Meetings platform | by donation | drop in

We're all inside. There are so many words to say how we feel. Let's try together.

Esther Cohen is a writer and poet in New York City. She also teaches and is a cultural activist. Most days she posts a poem at esthercohen.com .

NEW! ONLINE TEATIME - FOR MEMBERS

Friday, April 3, 3:00-3:30 PM
on the Zoom Meetings platform | by donation | drop in

Grab your favorite cup and your current read and spend a little time in social sipping and book-friendly chat with your fellow members. Watch our website for more future Digital Teatime dates.

STREAMING LECTURE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
P amela Newkirk

Monday, April 6, 6:30 PM
by donation | no registration required

An award-winning journalist shows how workplace diversity initiatives have turned into a profoundly misguided industry - and have done little to bring equality to America's major industries and institutions.

Join us on YouTube at the time above for the premiere of this recorded lecture and interactive chat with the speaker.

NEW! THE WRITING LIFE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Microphone

Tuesday, April 14, 6:00 PM
on the Zoom Meetings platform | by donation | no registration required

It's LIVE...just not from the Members' Room. Grab a glass of your favorite beverage and join us from your couch or kitchen table to watch 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 sign up to read, email us in advance . Selections are limited to five minutes or less and must be material in progress or newly published work.


THE WRITING LIFE EVENTS IN 2020 ARE GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY JENNY LAWRENCE.
STREAMING POETRY EVENT - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Charlie Smith

Monday, April 20, 6:30 PM
by donation | no registration required

Demo: Poems is a dazzling volume that gushes with the rhythms of life and language, from award-winning poet Charlie Smith. As part of our National Poetry Month celebration, Mr. Smith reads from and talks about his work.

Join us on YouTube at the time above for the premiere of this recorded lecture.

STREAMING LECTURE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Thomas Travisano

Thursday, April 23, 6:30 PM
by donation | no registration required

In Love Unknown, Thomas Travisano, founding president of the Elizabeth Bishop Society, tells the story of the famous poet and traveler's life.

Join us on YouTube at the time above for the premiere of this recorded lecture and interactive chat with the speaker.


THIS EVENT IS SUPPORTED BY THE LYN CHASE POETRY FUND.
STREAMING LECTURE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Eric K. Washington

Th ursday, May 7, 6:30 PM
by donation | no registration required

A long-overdue biography of the head of Grand Central Terminal’s Red Caps, who flourished in the cultural nexus of Harlem and American railroads.

Join us on YouTube at the time above for the premiere of this recorded lecture and interactive chat with the speaker.

ONLINE WORKSHOP - FOR MEMBERS
Gessy Alvarez
The Tip of the Iceberg: An Introduction to Flash Fiction

Thursdays May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, 6:00 PM
 on the Zoom Meetings platform | $60 for the four sessions | registration required

This course will explore the growing popularity of flash fiction and examine how the elements of traditional storytelling like character, conflict, and plot play out in a condensed form with the editor-in-chief of the journal DIGGING THROUGH THE FAT.


THE WRITING LIFE EVENTS IN 2020 ARE GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY JENNY LAWRENCE.
PLUS


Events staff are contacting members registered for seminars that were underway prior to our closing. You are welcome to email us with questions about the status of your seminar. 
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