Brooklyn Public Library Hosts “Read Across America” Events
Brooklyn-Themed Reading Activities with Elected Officials and Community Leaders Will Take Place at Branches throughout the Borough
Brooklyn, NY – On Friday, March 7, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) staff and patrons will join elected officials and community leaders to read aloud to children at library branches across the borough. Part of the National Education Association’s (NEA) annual Read Across America program taking place at local libraries and community centers across the country, these readings aim to bring communities together and motivate children and parents to make reading a bigger part of their lives.
BPL will present its own personalized, Brooklyn-inspired program. Highlighting the contributions of acclaimed Brooklyn-born children’s author Ezra Jack Keats, every BPL branch will have readings of Keats’s Whistle for Willie, a charming and dynamic tale about a young boy who strives to learn how to whistle so that he can communicate with his dog. In addition, select BPL branches will offer interactive activities, including whistle games, dog drawing and craft projects and story-themed rhymes and songs.
“At Brooklyn Public Library we celebrate the power of reading every day by providing children with the tools and resources they need to explore their dreams, have fun, and succeed in school,” said Linda E. Johnson, President & CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “We are excited to join with local elected officials and community members to present our Read Across America program celebrating one of our very own Brooklyn-born literary icons. Through this experience, we hope that more people will come to appreciate the joy of reading.”
Elected officials and community leaders will join BPL’s Read Across America programs as guest speakers at the following branches throughout the day:
- Eastern Parkway Branch 11:30AM - Councilmember Laurie Cumbo
- Gravesend Branch 3:45PM - Councilmember Mark Treyger
- Kensington Branch 10:30AM - Councilmember David Greenfield
- Leonard Branch 10:30AM - Councilmember Antonio Reynoso
- Macon Branch 10:30AM - Assembly Member Annette Robinson
- Mill Basin Branch 10:30AM - Councilmember Alan Maisel
- New Utrecht Branch 10AM - Councilmember Vincent Gentile
- Park Slope Branch 4:00PM - State Senator Kevin Parker, Deborah Pope (Executive Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation), and Naila Rosario (Government Relations & Advocacy Manager at BPL)
- Sunset Park Branch 10:00AM - Assembly Member Felix Ortiz and Naila Rosario (Government Relations & Advocacy Manager at BPL)
###
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.
About The National Education Association
The National Education Association (NEA) is the nation's largest professional employee organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States. http://www.nea.org/