February News! 💕

While February typically gets overrun by Valentine's Day, we'd like to encourage the theme of love on all fronts - book love, self-love, love for Black stories, and more! Take a look at the upcoming events in our library and see where you might spread or share the love! That said, do come and check out our Valentine's Day heart background and take a "shelfie" with your favorite book or a selfie with your favorite boo!

For BHM, we have put together an art walk and book pairing. "What is that?!" Right as you enter the library, you'll see a virtual gallery with ten curated art pieces. We encourage you to find the artwork on display in the library along with the books that speak on the same theme. Explore Black identity, history, Afrofuturism, activism, and Black stories. As an added bonus, anyone who checks out a book from our display will get a lovely button to wear so you can continue to share Black stories!

The Moth's Mainstage Matinee is a unique chance for high school students to experience the magic of storytelling, right in the heart of the city. Join us for a riveting performance hosted by the talented Andrew McGill, high school teacher and stand up comedian, along with four extraordinary storytellers who will share their remarkable tales.

When and Where:

Symphony Space | Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre

2537 Broadway at 95th St. New York, NY 10025-6990

Date: Thursday, February 15th, 2024
Time: 11:30 AM

As part of a grant with the LES organization City Lore, we will be hosting the multi-talented artist Baba Israel. Baba teaches masterclasses in Beatboxing, Emceeing, Spoken Word, Improvisational Theatre, Directing, and Music production. Join us for a lunch session on March 7, in the library, where we will play with beats, our voices, and creating music and story. If you'd like Baba Israel to come to your class, please contact mleazer@schools.nyc.gov so we can set up a special session!

For those of you who didn't get a chance to join the first few meetings, spots still remain for our Lambda Literary Writing residency with author Tembe Denton Hurst. If you are an aspiring LGBTQIA+ writer who is looking to be published in an e-journal, this is the program for you! We meet Thursdays in the library from 3:30 to 4:30, now until March 7! Please contact Mina at mleazer@schools.nyc.gov to join!

We continue to have a robust partnership with Yu&Me Books and have already celebrated four great programs with them this current school year. Save the following dates for the upcoming spring events which will all be hosted here at the library!

• March 12 - The Manicurist's Daughter by Susan Lieu
• March 25 - Memory Piece by Lisa Ko
• April TBD - Mott Street by Ava Chin
• May 29 - Exhibit by R.O. Kwon

We are continuing to make great shows and music at Spark Studios thanks to our studio tech, Dru! The great news is that thanks to The Hip Hop Re-education Project, we are able to keep Dru on as our studio mastermind. His schedule has changed somewhat, but we have new afternoon hours to keep you connected and creating, so book a session today!

Thanks to a burgeoning afterschool culture, we now have two days of "late" hours, so please drop by! If you have any ideas for a club you'd like to see running during this time, please reach out to Mina at mleazer@schools.nyc.gov, minaleazer@newdesignhigh.com, or mina@essexstreetacademy.org! Stay tuned for a board game club coming soon!