By Athena Dawson, Published June 6, 2025

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.

Read more: https://qns.com/2025/06/qpl-summer-reading-initiative-corona