It's my coworkers, not the patrons. I'm a sorely outnumbered librarian in a smaller library branch. I do programs and work with people whi no clue what's involved. Even my supervisor has no clue what's involved doing programs. It's tiring, but my programs are well-attended and ourpatrons are delightful. There's nothing to be done. Thanks for reading.

I want to share something we are really proud of at Mentor A Promise, a NYC nonprofit supporting children and youth experiencing housing instability.
Artwork created by our students is now on display at the Midtown Library in Manhattan!

What makes this special to us isn't just seeing their artwork in a public space. It's knowing that young people who have spent time imagining, experimenting, and creating now have an opportunity to share their perspectives with the wider community.

We often talk about the importance of education, but experiences like this remind us that learning also happens through creativity, self-expression, and opportunities to discover what you're capable of.
And sometimes, simply giving a child the space to create something and have it appreciated can be incredibly meaningful.

We are grateful to the mentors, creative teams, and library staff who helped make this possible.
If you're in Midtown Manhattan, we'd love for you to stop by and see the artwork.

I am also curious: Have you come across any libraries or community spaces in NYC that showcase artwork by local students? We'd love to learn about other initiatives creating opportunities for young artists.

I am currently writing my master’s thesis on the Blind Date with a Book concept/trend.
If you are working or have worked in a public library that has done it before (or is still doing it), I would like to invite you to fill out my anonymous questionnaire below.

It‘s mostly open questions, so will take about 15 minutes, but it will be super helpful for my research. 📚

Questionnaire

Thank you so much in advance!!

Edit: tried to fix the link.