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The events at New York City libraries this September are spicy
By
Alec Hamilton
Published Aug 27, 2026
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By
Alec Hamilton
Published Aug 27, 2026
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It’s back-to-school month for most of the city’s students. But as summer vacation comes to an end, New York City’s library systems — the Brooklyn Public Library; the Queens Public Library; and the New York Public Library, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island — are ramping up their programming offerings.
Here are some highlights:
BIG EVENTS:
In Brooklyn, the Central Library at Grand Army Plaza is showcasing the music of Machel Montano, widely considered a global ambassador for the high-energy Caribbean music called soca, and the role that Brooklyn played in his success. Machel Montano: Journey of a Soca King is up through Sept. 12.
The Central Library is also offering private one-on-one Medical Debt Relief Clinic counseling. You can sign up to talk through your situation one-on-one with a volunteer here. Bring your hospital bill and proof of income, like a pay stub or tax return.
In Queens, the Queens Public Library is inviting patrons to take a new look at our state fruit, the apple. Their exhibit America 250: Apples of New York celebrates the crunchy crop with a look at some of its history, traditions and symbolism. It runs from Sept. 2–30, at the Hillcrest, Elmhurst, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Central, Richmond Hill, Fresh Meadows, and Glen Oaks libraries.
And on Sept. 4, teachers can take a night off from prepping for the new school year at the NYPL’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation branch. Extra Credit: Educator Comedy Night features current and former teacher-slash-comedians. Registration closes Aug. 31.
BRANCH EVENTS:
Aspiring actors – and the rest of us who just like to read things out loud with others – take note: Friday afternoons at the BPL’s Leonard Library branch are now the place to be to do Table Reads. The library provides the scripts; you decide how much acting you want to do. The first read will be David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," followed by a discussion.
If hot peppers are more your thing than dark plays about morality and Chicago real estate, the Paerdegat branch is hosting Haitian chef and cookbook author, Nadège Fleurimond, for an evening of Cooking and Collaging. Fleurimond will teach how to make the spicy condiment pikliz.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own recipes and photos. Interpreters will be provided in both English and Haitian Creole.
In Queens, the Elmhurst and Jackson Heights branches of the Queens Public Library are marking Hispanic Heritage Month with a talk by Steven Alvarez, a professor at St. John's University. He's giving a talk on what he calls "Taco Literacy" — how culinary traditions can shape culture, identity, history and community.
New York Public Library is marking Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month too. Their Sept. 16 Being Zine: zinemaking and documentary series for adults at the Morrisania branch will feature the 1996 film "Palante, Siempre Palante!" about the Young Lords movement.
FOR THE KIDS:
For little ones, Queens is offering a class on making a suncatcher in Arverne, and a nature walk to get to know the local bugs at the Hunters Point branch. The New York Public Library has bilingual storytime in both English and Spanish at the 125th Street branch. And the Brooklyn Public Library has a four-part series celebrating Ezra Jack Keats, the Brooklyn-born author and illustrator of "A Snowy Day," at the Jamaica Bay branch.
And for school-age kids, both New York Public Library and Queens Public Library are offering some back-to-school-oriented events, with giveaways of backpacks and school supplies.
But that’s not all – the day before school starts for New York City public schools, the Brooklyn Public Library's Gerritsen Beach branch is helping students get their glamour on with a Nail Polish Party. The Library provides polish and stickers; all genders are welcome.
And for those who could use a little puppy snuggle the day AFTER school starts, the Brooklyn Heights branch is hosting an opportunity to de-stress with Sandy the Therapy Dog. Both human and dog snacks will be provided.
Tagged
brooklyn
manhattan
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Alec Hamilton
As the Senior Producer for Morning Edition on WNYC, Alec works hard to get listeners all the latest news and delightful stories from New York City, northern New Jersey and beyond. She loves a good music pun and wakes up very very early.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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