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Want to do 'Hamilton' karaoke or make a World Cup piñata? Visit an NYC library this July.
By
Alec Hamilton
Published Jun 22, 2026
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By
Alec Hamilton
Published Jun 22, 2026
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If you're looking to find some new reads this summer, or maybe pick up a new hobby or perfect a new skill, New York City's libraries have you covered.
The city's three library systems — the Brooklyn Public Library; the Queens Public library; and New York Public Library, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island — are a treasure trove of ongoing classes in things like language and job skills, or computer and financial literacy
They also offer packed calendars of free events. Here are some of the highlights for July:
The big stuff
There’s a lot of focus this month on America 250, and the World Cup. One branch in Brooklyn is even giving away 3D-printed top hats in red, white and blue.
At its main brand, the New York Public Library is hosting a viewing of a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. It's what's called a "fair copy," handwritten by Thomas Jefferson, after the original draft had sections removed before it was ratified, including a long condemnation of the slave trade.
In Queens you can celebrate the World Cup in a number of ways: Kids can learn to code soccer-playing robots in Woodhaven, Ozone Park, or Bayside; you can make your own World Cup pinata in Flushing; or you can even learn to design a soccer stadium in Long Island City.
And the Brooklyn Public Library is hosting two talks at the Center for Brooklyn History in Brooklyn Heights. One, on July 9th, focuses on the history and future of disability rights, and the other, on July 22, looks at mass incarceration and democracy in the US.
If you're looking for more of a summertime, party vibe, the New York City samba band Os Clavelitos is marking Brasil Summerfest with a performance at the Central Library on July 15th.
Branch events
In Brooklyn, every Tuesday, the Arlington Library in Cypress Hills does what they call the "People’s Kitchen," where people gather to cook and share food and organize around food insecurity in East New York.
The Queens Public Library is hosting an event called Flavors of Home at the Queens Village Library on July 10th. That's a monthly gathering for older adults who are New Americans to share recipes and food and just connect with each other.
The Francis Martin library branch in Morris Heights has "Hamilton" karaoke for teens. And yes, you are invited to dress up as your favorite character from the play.
For kids
All three offer tons of meetups and sing-alongs and story times, and the Brooklyn and New York Public libraries also have regular opportunities for kids to read to a therapy dog. If you're looking for something more one-of, however, there are plenty of other offerings.
In Yorkville, NYPL is kicking off the month with a kids dance party feature the hip-hop artist Fyutch who performs songs about social justice and the environment.
Brooklyn Public library is holding an event at the Jamaica Bay branch for kids to learn about carnivorous plants, led by Jonathan Kui of Midtown Carnivores. Kids will go home with seeds or another related giveaway.
And the Queens Public Library has a four-week STEAM series for teens, designed to explore what it would take to build a livable community in space. That starts July 8 at their Central, Flushing, Cambria Heights, East Flushing, and Far Rockaway branches.
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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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