Published August 15, 2025
Get ready to go back to school this fall with NYC public libraries! With more than 200 locations across the five boroughs and online, there’s something for everyone: free homework help, college and career support, books and resources in a wide range of languages, and much more. Check out these highlights!
The New York Public Library (Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island)
Get a free New York Public Library card to get started!(Open external link)
Plan a visit during Library Open House Week (September 15–21) to get free backpacks with school supplies and other goodies for your family by signing up for a library card, checking out two books, or completing a special activity at your nearest NYPL location.
Make sure to stay up to date on everything NYPL(Open external link) with newsletters from the Library! Plus, check out these resources for kids, teens, and educators during the back to school season:
For Kids
- Join the Library for NYPL After School(Open external link), starting Monday, September 29 at more than 50 branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island this fall! NYPL’s free drop-in program for kids ages 6–12 takes place after regular school hours, Monday to Thursday, during the school year.
- Get extra homework help for free with Brainfuse(Open external link)! Live, one-on-one tutoring is available from 2–11 PM daily in English, Spanish, and French. Sign in with your library card to get help with core subjects, from early elementary to high school. Video content and other resources are available 24 hours a day. ( En español(Open external link) | En français(Open external link))
- Check out a book! Find NYPL book recommendations for kids(Open external link) and more online. All for free!
- Boost your STEAM skills(Open external link) with NYPL’s STEAM Kits and activity guides.
For Teens
- Register for NYPL’s annual College Fair(Open external link) on Wednesday, October 15. Meet representatives from different schools and find out more about the college application process. Can’t attend? Check out a wide range of free NYPL college and career resources(Open external link) to help you take the next step on your college or career journey.
- Visit a NYPL Teen Center(Open external link) near you for free programs and events, as well as access to state-of-the-art tech and creative tools, including video and photo equipment, 3-D printers, gaming consoles, and much more.
- Get free homework help and support with test prep. Use your library card to get one-on-one help online with Brainfuse(Open external link), and practice for high school tests and college entrance exams with Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test & Career Prep(Open external link).
- Check out a book! Find NYPL NYPL book recommendations for teens(Open external link) and more online. All for free!
For Educators
- Kick off the school year with notable teacher-comedians at Extra Credit: A Back to School Comedy Night for Educators(Open external link) on Tuesday, August 26.
- Attend a special Educator Open House(Open external link) hosted by NYPL’s Center for Educators & Schools on Thursday, September 18, to learn how the Library’s research centers can support your classrooms and receive 2 CTLE credit hours.
- Explore NYPL’s teaching tools(Open external link), including educator guides for the Vibrant Voices reading lists(Open external link), resources that draw from the collections of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture(Open external link), and an ever-expanding range of curriculum materials based on the Library’s collections(Open external link)!
- Introduce your students to the Library(Open external link)! Arrange for a class visit to a neighborhood branch, invite an outreach librarian to your classroom, or schedule a free field trip to the Library’s Polonsky Exhibition for a guided tour of some of NYPL’s greatest treasures(Open external link).
Brooklyn Public Library
Get a free Brooklyn Public Library card to get started!(Open external link)
For Kids
- Pick up new backpacks and other supplies at one of BPL’s Back to School giveaway events(Open external link) in August and September. First come, first served, while supplies last.
- Get in-person homework help(Open external link) for students in grades 1–8.
- Join BPL branches during their after school hours(Open external link) for learning, fun, and arts and crafts.
For Teens
- Pick up new backpacks and other supplies at one of BPL’s Back to School giveaway events(Open external link) in August and September. First come, first served, while supplies last.
- Meet new friends at a local Teen Tech Center(Open external link), where teen patrons are encouraged to explore technology, create art, music, animations, 3-D objects, jewelry, fashion, and more! BPL’s Teen Tech Centers also host free technology and arts programs(Open external link).
- Access free, live tutoring every afternoon and evening with Brainfuse HelpNow(Open external link), an online resource that is available with your library card.
- Build your skills and your resume with BPL’s teen internships and paid opportunities(Open external link).
- Discover all of BPL’s upcoming events for teens(Open external link), including video and board game nights, drawing classes, quiet reading hours, plus clubs for every interest—anime, knitting, books, chess, and more.
For Educators
- On Thursday, September 18, attend the New York City History Day kickoff session(Open external link) at the Center for Brooklyn History to learn about the contest and this year’s theme. NYC middle and high school students are invited to do original research on a historical topic of their choice and make their own exhibition, performance, documentary, website, or paper. Winners will have the chance to compete at the State and National levels!
- Make an appointment for a fun and free class visit to your local library(Open external link). Librarians can provide a tour, a storytime, or research help, and make sure all of your students have library cards.
- Be on the lookout for upcoming CTLE-awarding professional development workshops(Open external link), which bring together experts and educators to explore Brooklyn’s history.
- Download educator-curated primary source packets(Open external link) on an array of local history topics, from the Civil Rights Movement to Brooklyn neighborhoods and landmarks.
- Dig deep into Brooklyn’s history with BPL’s free digital curricula and lesson plans(Open external link). Access classroom-ready resources and curriculum kits designed to give educators everything they need to plan units on history topics.
Queens Public Library
Get a free Queens Public Library Card to get started!(Open external link)
For Kids
- QPL’s Kickoff to Kindergarten (K2K) is returning this fall! Kickoff to Kindergarten(Open external link) helps children ages 3–4 develop literacy skills and begin a lifelong love of reading. K2K is offered virtually and in-person, with translation support in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, plus support for caregivers.
- Toddler Learning Centers(Open external link) are hosted at approximately 30 QPL locations and are designed to serve the needs of toddlers (ages 1–3) and their caregivers. Early learning professionals are on hand to offer caregivers advice about speech development, nutrition, early literacy, gross motor development, and much more.
- Lantern(Open external link) is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing families with essential information for raising kids, from pregnancy through the preteen years. When you sign up for Lantern through Queens Public Library, you will receive free text messages to help you in your parenting journey, with easy, practical tips and activities covering topics such as tantrums, nutrition, brain-building activities, local events, and much more!
For Teens
- Explore and access your post-secondary education pathways with help from QPL’s College Readiness team(Open external link)! Through year-round workshops, the College Readiness team helps students explore pathways like colleges, trade schools, gap years, certification programs, military options, and more. You can view upcoming College Readiness programs on the QPL Calendar(Open external link), learn more on QPL’s College Readiness webpage(Open external link), visit a dedicated QPL Teen Center(Open external link), or contact the College Readiness team at college.readiness@queenslibrary.org.
- Find live, expert learning support and tutoring in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science), a Language Lab for language learners, a 24/7 Writing Lab, and SAT prep and practice tests with Brainfuse HelpNow(Open external link). All you need to get started is your library card!
- Are you following the QPL Teens Instagram page(Open external link)? It’s the place to learn about everything happening for #QPLTeens(Open external link) at Queens Public Library!
For All Ages
- Check out QPL’s upcoming Back to School events(Open external link) at various branches! Join QPL for Backpack Giveaways(Open external link), pick up copies of their comprehensive Back to School Guide, and much more.
- Download a digital copy of QPL’s Back to School Guide(Open external link). It’s available in English, Bengali, Chinese, and Spanish.
- Browse QPL’s curated booklists(Open external link) for early readers, school-age children, teens, and adults, plus selected kids’ books in Spanish, Chinese, and Bengali!
We can’t wait to see you at the Library this year!
