Early literacy is the foundation of future success.
City’s First Readers engages parents, caregivers, and communities across New York City to ensure all children develop critical early literacy skills.
About
City’s First Readers
City’s First Readers, an initiative of the New York City Council, is a collaboration of nonprofits and libraries that work together to create opportunities for community driven early literacy programs that benefit children and families from all New York City neighborhoods.
Featured Neighborhood Events
Find free events to learn, play, and discover in your neighborhood
31 Oct, 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Virtual Saturday Storytime
Join us each Saturday to hear new stories and favorite tales read aloud, interspersed with songs and rhymes. All ages welcome! **Registration required! We’re hoping to connect with our storytime crowd, so instead of broadcasting from the Macon Library Facebook Page, we’re going to ask you to sign up, and then we’ll meet on Zoom, so that we can read, play, and sing together. You will need either a computer with audio and webcam or a telephone in order to participate. A link to access the Zoom meeting will be sent to registrants prior to the meeting, so please keep an eye out for the email (and check your spam folder if you don’t see it!)
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02 Nov, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Virtual Toddler Time
Toddler Time Enjoy stories and play. 18 to 36 months. Get together virturally with Miss Lynn from the Borough Park Library for stories, rhymes and songs. Please click on this link to join the fun. https://www.facebook.com/BPLboroughpark/
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02 Nov, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Virtual Russian Storytime
**While our in-person events are on hold, we are offering virtual programming via Facebook Live broadcasts from our branches!** Join us for virtual Russian storytime with books, songs, and tips in Russian for your child to acquire early literacy, fine motor, and language developmental skills. View the broadcast on the Brooklyn Public Library Family Facebook Page.
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03 Nov, 11:00 am – 11:00 am
Parkchester Virtual Storytime
Join us for a live virtual storytime for our youngest readers. Children along with their Parents/Caregivers will enjoy fun interactive stories, songs, and rhymes. We will also share early literacy tips and book recommendations. Parents/Caregivers can register with their email below.
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Resources for Parents
Get tips, advice, and resources for supporting early literacy skills
City’s First Readers
Preschoolers 3 – 5 Years Old
Parents, you are your child’s first, and most influential teacher! City’s First Readers has a number of resources to help you build strong literacy skills with your children. It’s much easier than you think, and we give you ideas to make learning fun for the entire family.
City’s First Readers
Toddlers 2 – 3 Years Old
Parents, you are your child’s first, and most influential teacher! City’s First Readers has a number of resources to help you build strong literacy skills with your children. It’s much easier than you think, and we give you ideas to make learning fun for the entire family.
City’s First Readers
Babies 0 – 2 Years Old
Parents, you are your child’s first, and most influential teacher! City’s First Readers has a number of resources to help you build strong literacy skills with your children. It’s much easier than you think, and we give you ideas to make learning fun for the entire family.
Latest News
Read news, press, and updates from City’s First Readers Partners
LINC’s Letter to the New York Times
A response to the article School Reforms Fail to Lift U.S. On Global Test, published on December 3rd, 2019
Our Children Deserve Excellence
LINC empowers parents to lead change in their communities so that all children can grow up reading. Read about Silvia’s leadership in action
Daddy and Me
For the seventh year, LINC led community programs for Dads Take Your Child to School Day
LINC’s Response to Ocasio-Cortez’s Anti-Poverty Initiative “A Just Society”
If we are going to address the systems that are the root causes of poverty, we cannot ignore literacy