1. Happy Flag Day! On this day in 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a teacher from Stony Hill School in Waubeka, Wisconsin began specially honoring the flag by placing a 10 inch, 38 star flag in a bottle on his desk and then assigned his students essays on the flag and its significance. Inspired by years of this tradition, in 1916 President Wilson proclaimed June 14th as national Flag Day. You can find out more about Flag Day at the Library. 

    Happy Flag Day! On this day in 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a teacher from Stony Hill School in Waubeka, Wisconsin began specially honoring the flag by placing a 10 inch, 38 star flag in a bottle on his desk and then assigned his students essays on the flag and its significance. Inspired by years of this tradition, in 1916 President Wilson proclaimed June 14th as national Flag Day. You can find out more about Flag Day at the Library. 

  2. The New York Public Library is proud to host its annual Anti-Prom, our biggest event devoted to the teens of New York City tomorrow, Friday, June 14th at 6:30pm. This year’s Anti-Prom theme is Masquerade! There will be food, live music by DJ Johnny Dynell, entertainment by ChiChi Valenti and the Jackie Factory, a runway show and prizes for the best dressed of the night—all in the name of acceptance and good fun! For more information click here.

    The New York Public Library is proud to host its annual Anti-Prom, our biggest event devoted to the teens of New York City tomorrow, Friday, June 14th at 6:30pm. This year’s Anti-Prom theme is Masquerade! There will be food, live music by DJ Johnny Dynell, entertainment by ChiChi Valenti and the Jackie Factory, a runway show and prizes for the best dressed of the night—all in the name of acceptance and good fun! For more information click here.

  3. Battery Park City Library was NYPL’s first green LEED certified branch in Manhattan, built in 2010. It’s a great place to visit on semi-rainy Thursday afternoons.  Do you know another library that would be great to visit on a semi-rainy Thursday afternoon?… well, truthfully all of our branches are a perfect spot to step out of the rain and you can see them all at Mid-Manhattan Library’s latest exhibition, Reading Room.

    Battery Park City Library was NYPL’s first green LEED certified branch in Manhattan, built in 2010. It’s a great place to visit on semi-rainy Thursday afternoons.  Do you know another library that would be great to visit on a semi-rainy Thursday afternoon?… well, truthfully all of our branches are a perfect spot to step out of the rain and you can see them all at Mid-Manhattan Library’s latest exhibition, Reading Room.

  4. Happy Birthday William Butler Yeats! Born in 1865 in Dublin, this poet was the first Irishman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. You can check out the works of this Nobel Prize winning poet from the Library. 

    Happy Birthday William Butler Yeats! Born in 1865 in Dublin, this poet was the first Irishman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. You can check out the works of this Nobel Prize winning poet from the Library. 

  5. Yesterday was the grand reopening of our Stapleton branch on Staten Island! Several months ago while the building was under construction, this orphaned teddy bear was found outside the building and was brought to the library as its newest resident. However, he still needs a name! What should we name the library bear? We are taking suggestions!

  6. The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library opened in its current location on West 20 Street in 1991. Formerly the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the facility was renamed in honor of the former chairman of The New York Public Library. The library provides New York City with Braille and Talking Books and Long Island with Braille Books. This photo of talking books at Heiskell Library is on display at Mid-Manhattan Library’s Reading Room exhibition, which showcases NYPL’s valued and beloved branch libraries across the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. Stop by your local branch today and show your support!

    The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library opened in its current location on West 20 Street in 1991. Formerly the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the facility was renamed in honor of the former chairman of The New York Public Library. The library provides New York City with Braille and Talking Books and Long Island with Braille Books.

    This photo of talking books at Heiskell Library is on display at Mid-Manhattan Library’s Reading Room exhibition, which showcases NYPL’s valued and beloved branch libraries across the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. Stop by your local branch today and show your support!

  7. It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart

    — 

    Anne Frank

    Anne Frank was born today in 1929. This quote is from her diary, “The Diary of a Young Girl” which was written while her family was in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. She died in 1945 and her diary was published in 1947 by her father, Otto Frank. You can get a copy of her diary at the library. 

  8. Today was an exciting day in Staten Island! NYPL opened the newly renovated Stapleton Library. The now 12,000 square foot branch doubles the amount of space that was available for patrons and seamlessly combines the charm of the original Carnegie building with a beautiful and highly-functional modern addition. New interior features include: reading rooms, lounges and areas for toddlers, children, teens and adults ADA accessibility; 40 new public access computers, 10 laptops available for patron use, and WiFi capability;   a multipurpose community room; and  about 35,000 collection items available for the public. Now that’s a brainful mouthful!  Learn more about NYPL’s local libraries like Stapleton at Mid-Manhattan Library’s exhibition, Reading Room.  

    Today was an exciting day in Staten Island! NYPL opened the newly renovated Stapleton Library. The now 12,000 square foot branch doubles the amount of space that was available for patrons and seamlessly combines the charm of the original Carnegie building with a beautiful and highly-functional modern addition. New interior features include:

    • reading rooms, lounges and areas for toddlers, children, teens and adults
    • ADA accessibility;
    • 40 new public access computers, 10 laptops available for patron use, and WiFi capability;  
    • a multipurpose community room;
    • and  about 35,000 collection items available for the public.

    Now that’s a brainful mouthful! 

    Learn more about NYPL’s local libraries like Stapleton at Mid-Manhattan Library’s exhibition, Reading Room.  

  9. 31 years ago today, the wonderful film of an unlikely friendship, E.T: The Extra Terrestrial was released. Directed by Steven Spielberg, E.T was nominated in nine categories at the 1983 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. So be sure to check out a DVD copy from multiple branches of the NYPL, and don’t forget the tissues!

    31 years ago today, the wonderful film of an unlikely friendship, E.T: The Extra Terrestrial was released. Directed by Steven Spielberg, E.T was nominated in nine categories at the 1983 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. So be sure to check out a DVD copy from multiple branches of the NYPL, and don’t forget the tissues!

  10. This picture, courtesy of the NYPL digital collection , Angela Lansbury is shown holding her award of Best Actress in a Musical from the 1969 Tony’s for her performance in Dear World. Last night at the 67th Tony Awards, Patina Miller won this same award for her performance in Pippin. Last night’s show, hosted by none other than Neil Patrick Harris, had some amazing performances! What were some of your favorite parts of last night’s show?

    This picture, courtesy of the NYPL digital collection , Angela Lansbury is shown holding her award of Best Actress in a Musical from the 1969 Tony’s for her performance in Dear World. Last night at the 67th Tony Awards, Patina Miller won this same award for her performance in Pippin. Last night’s show, hosted by none other than Neil Patrick Harris, had some amazing performances! What were some of your favorite parts of last night’s show?