It\u2019s back-to-school month for most of the city\u2019s students. But as summer vacation comes to an end, New York City\u2019s library systems \u2014 the Brooklyn Public Library; the Queens Public Library; and the New York Public Library, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island \u2014 are ramping up their programming offerings.<\/p>\n
Here are some highlights:<\/p>\n
BIG EVENTS:<\/p>\n
In Brooklyn, the Central Library at Grand Army Plaza is showcasing the music of Machel Montano<\/a>, 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<\/a> is up through Sept. 12.<\/p>\n The Central Library is also offering private one-on-one Medical Debt Relief Clinic<\/a> counseling. You can sign up to talk through your situation one-on-one with a volunteer here<\/a>. Bring your hospital bill and proof of income, like a pay stub or tax return.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> celebrates the crunchy crop with a look at some of its history, traditions and symbolism. It runs from Sept. 2\u201330, at the Hillcrest, Elmhurst, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Central, Richmond Hill, Fresh Meadows, and Glen Oaks libraries.<\/p>\n And on Sept. 4, teachers can take a night off from prepping for the new school year at the NYPL\u2019s Stavros Niarchos Foundation branch. Extra Credit: Educator Comedy Night<\/a> features current and former teacher-slash-comedians. Registration closes Aug. 31.<\/p>\n BRANCH EVENTS:<\/p>\n Aspiring actors \u2013 and the rest of us who just like to read things out loud with others \u2013 take note: Friday afternoons at the BPL\u2019s Leonard Library branch are now the place to be to do Table<\/a> Reads<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n 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, Nad\u00e8ge Fleurimond, for an evening of Cooking and Collaging<\/a>. Fleurimond will teach how to make the spicy condiment pikliz.<\/p>\n Participants are encouraged to bring their own recipes and photos. Interpreters will be provided in both English and Haitian Creole.<\/p>\n 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>, a professor at St. John’s University. He’s giving a talk on what he calls “Taco Literacy” \u2014 how culinary traditions can shape culture, identity, history and community.<\/p>\n New York Public Library is marking Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month too. Their Sept. 16 Being Zine<\/a>: zinemaking and documentary series for adults at the Morrisania branch will feature the 1996 film “Palante, Siempre Palante!<\/a>” about the Young Lords movement.<\/p>\n FOR THE KIDS:<\/p>\n For little ones, Queens is offering a class on making a suncatcher<\/a> in Arverne, and a nature walk<\/a> to get to know the local bugs at the Hunters Point branch. The New York Public Library has bilingual storytime<\/a> in both English and Spanish at the 125th Street branch. And the Brooklyn Public Library has a four-part series celebrating Ezra Jack Keats<\/a>, the Brooklyn-born author and illustrator of “A Snowy Day,” at the Jamaica Bay branch.<\/p>\n And for school-age kids, both New York Public Library<\/a> and Queens Public Library<\/a> are offering some back-to-school-oriented events, with giveaways of backpacks and school supplies.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s not all \u2013 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<\/a>. The Library provides polish and stickers; all genders are welcome.<\/p>\n