

Librarians, authors, and library advocates will ONCE AGAIN read around the clock for libraries in New York City. When we started this event we thought it would be a one off. Now in this seventh year we are still fighting for more funding for libraries, still pushing to keep libraries open and staffed, still trying to get the buildings fixed and the collections healthy. This year we will be just to the right of the main entrance of the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at New York Public Library on 42nd street and 5th Ave.

We have seen an incredible outpouring of support from local authors. These writers understand the importance of libraries, both as safe havens they themselves have enjoyed and as incubators of literature and culture in our communities. It's a wonderful lineup including a rich Family Storytime on June 5th.

Saturday June 4th

4:00 PM Cecily Von Ziegler author of the Gossip Girl Series and Dark Horses forthcoming from Soho Press

5:00 PM Sarah Gerard, Essayist, Author Binary Star

6:00 PM Bridgett Davis,Writer, Essayist, Filmmaker, Author Into the Go-Slow

6:15 PM Mia Alvar, Author In The Country

7:00 PM Maud Newton, Writer, Essayist, Critic

Children's book authors and illustrators fill Family Storytime on Sunday June 5th from 9AM - 1PM

3:30 PM Marilyn Johnson - Author Lives in Ruins & This Book Is Overdue

The 24 Hour Read In is a perfect analogy for libraries in New York City. Every minute of every day around the clock there is someone using the library to improve their situation or even just be entertained. Our library advocates will be the voice speaking out for all the unknown and unseen patrons who use the libraries every single day.

Last year was a huge win with $43 million in new funding but that still has levels below 2008 with more demands on the libraries than ever. Usage is up, the range and scope of the work that libraries do has expanded in new directions and needs new resources and expertise. Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library have hundreds of new library staff providing great service but those staff need to be baselined in the budget. Their library buildings still need hundreds of millions of dollars of work and their services keep expanding.

Admission to the Read In is free and open to the public. Come out and celebrate libraries in New York City. We will be up all night in the city that never sleeps raising a ceaseless voice for the libraries that don't quit.