At this week's Round Table, Jack, Kenisha, and Maya spoke with Rachel Roseberry, the Associate Director of Young Adult Program and Services at The New York Public Library (NYPL), about the vital role libraries play in community building and civic education as well as the various opportunities there are to get involved in breaking literacy barriers. The NYPL is a civic space where people can gather to learn from not just through the books and resources available at the library, but also through each other. At the NYPL, Rachel oversees team programming, such as College & Career Pathways programming, summer programming for teens, and the Teen Civics Ambassadors program that exists across all 89 library branches in the five boroughs.
Being constantly surrounded in educational spaces, Rachel has found a real home in libraries for the exact type of work she loves doing. She loves the inclusivity and accessibility libraries offer to everyone, with every library uniquely inhabiting the culture and history of the communities they serve. Libraries are indispensable to not just the development of children, but also to the democratic growth of communities. Thus, we should utilize the library as a place we can live, learn, and cultivate our ever-growing curiosity.
Next time you find yourself near a library, head inside to be welcomed to a constantly inclusive environment with enriching opportunities and an engaging community of individuals. Whether you are a teen who loves science or an adult who loves the arts, you will be opened up to various opportunities to get involved at the New York Public Library. Thank you for listening!
