New York City Family Literacy Resources
The website for the New York City Department of Education (DOE) has general information for parents and families to locate the many resources in the community—including libraries, museums, recreation departments, parks, arts and youth programs, and community-based organizations—that offer programs that support youth development and literacy.
Summer activities are particularly important because they help students sustain what they’ve learned during the school year. Public libraries sponsor summer reading programs with lists of recommended books, activities, and outreach programs like bookmobiles. For more information about summer public library programs and tips for parents to encourage reading, contact the public libraries.
Below you will find links and contact information to local libraries, agencies, and organizations that can help you locate literacy activities for your family.
| Agency | Services Providers |
|---|---|
| Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library 40 West 20th Street New York, NY 10011 212-206-5400 TDD 212-206-5458 24-hour voice mail 212-206-5425 E-mail: ahlbph@nypl.org or talkingbooks.nypl.org |
A full-service library serving visually impaired and learning disabled patrons of all ages in the five boroughs |
| Brooklyn Public Library (60 locations in Brooklyn) (718)-230-2100 brooklynpubliclibrary.org brooklynpubliclibrary.org/kids_teens.jsp |
Complete library services. Summer reading programs. Booklists. English as a Second Language for adults. Adult Literacy programs. |
| New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Family Literacy Programs www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/services-literacy-programs.html |
Programs throughout the City that address the literacy needs of parents and their children. |
| Learning Leaders (212) 213-3370 www.learningleaders.org/resources/ |
Information for parents and students about literacy programs and resources. |
| The Literacy Assistance Center (212) 803-3300 www.lacnyc.org Family Literacy Resources www.lacnyc.org/resources/familylit/familylit.htm#directory |
Services and publications for adult and family literacy. Help in locating free literacy programs for children and families. |
| Literacy Hotline 212-803-3333 (toll free number) hotline available 24 hours a day |
Referral for free classes for adults and out-of-school youth: – GED. – basic education. – workforce preparation. – job training. – English as a Second Language. |
| New York City Department of Education Office of Library Services: (212) 374-0781 Office of Parent Engagement: (212) 374-2323 schools.nyc.gov/parents/ |
Information for parents about the schools in New York City. |
| New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD Services) 212-442-6006 www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/home.html |
Youth programs. Other services from city government. |
| The New York Public Library (85 neighborhood branches and 4 research libraries in Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island) (212) 340-0906 www.nypl.org kids.nypl.org/ teenlink.nypl.org |
Complete library services. Summer reading programs. Booklists. English as a Second Language for adults. Adult Literacy programs. |
|
Partnership for After School Education (PASE) 212-571-2664 www.pasesetter.com www.cmap.info/netmaps/pase/paseMap.asp |
Over 1200 after-school programs for youth of all ages. Maps showing locations of after-school programs. |
|
Queens Borough Public Library (63 locations in Queens) (718) 990-0700 www.queenslibrary.org www.kidslinq.org www.teenlinq.org |
Complete library services. Summer reading programs. Booklists. English as a Second Language for adults. Adult Literacy programs. |
|
Summer Reading 2007 www.summerreading.org |
Summer reading program organized by Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library and Queens Library. |
|
UFT Dial-A-Teacher (212) 777-3380 from 4-7 p.m., Monday – Thursday |
Homework help for students and parents. |
Excerpt from: Opening the Door to Learning: Literacy is a Family Affair, published by New Visions for Public Schools.