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New York State Library News & Events

July 2026

The New York State Library’s services, programs, and collections are made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The Great Give Back

Want to have fun while supporting your community? It’s easy when you take part in The Great Give Back, a community service initiative developed by the Suffolk Cooperative Library System in 2017 to connect library patrons to meaningful volunteer experiences.

This year, The Great Give Back will be bigger than ever before. As the country commemorates America250, the America Gives initiative encourages volunteerism and calls on citizens to step up and help. In New York, The Great Give Back is partnering with the New York State Library to be a part of America Gives. All participants and programs will be tracked on The Great Give Back website, and the final numbers will be sent to America Gives, showing the power of public libraries to create resilient communities.

Read more about how you and your community can take part in The Great Give Back.  

250th Resource Guide for Public Libraries

July 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States, which led to the American Revolution. While commemorations are planned across the country, New York State has prepared its own detailed blueprint for this important celebration.

The NYS Library is pleased to present our New York at 250 Resource Guide for Public Libraries and Partners. This online publication includes ready-to-use plans for library programming mapped to each of New York State’s six interpretive themes and arranged according to the level of library commitment.

Read more about highlights from the New York at 250 Resource Guide on our blog. 

Since the busy years that followed the Revolution, the NYS Library has worked to collect, arrange, and steward the books, letters, maps, pamphlets, and other written artifacts of life in New York before, during, and after the Revolution. This month, we're sharing some of our favorites to help you get in the 250th spirit!

War of Words

Read the Revolution with our recently revised American Revolution Collection Guide! NYS Library staff have been busy digitizing documentary treasures from the Revolution so you can get up close and personal with New York's revolutionary history any time. You'll find:

• Maps, illustrations, and narratives from battles at sea
• The history of the Great Iron Chain at West Point
• Espionage! Treason! Boot papers!

Board the Freedom Train

If you're visiting the Cultural Education Center for the Museum's Revolutionary New York Exhibit, take the elevator to the 11th floor for the brand new Freedom Train exhibit. Before the New York Freedom Train crisscrossed the state, a National Freedom Train stopped briefly in Albany, and many missed the chance to visit. In response, Associate Librarian Edna L. Jacobsen of the Manuscripts and History Section of the State Library assembled an exhibition of books and documents specific to New York's history. Jacobsen's exhibit was so popular that it was put on its own train and sent around the state. Learn more about the Freedom Train from our friends at Consider the Source!

George Washington Collection

The Library's George Washington Collection includes prints, books, artifacts, and manuscripts once owned by the first American president. These items were purchased from Washington's family by the State of New York in 1871 and have been preserved by the NYS Library since that time. You can see George Washington's pistol, sword, and watch chain up close as part of the Museum's Revolutionary New York exhibit through December, and you can view scans and photographs on our George Washington Collection Guide.

In case you missed it: An almost life-sized portrait of George Washington, commissioned by New York State and painted by Albany artist Ezra Ames in 1813, recently returned to the NYS Capitol following some careful conservation work. Staff from the NYS Library were present to help welcome Washington home and to share some of our history as stewards of the George Washington Collection.

NY at 250 kicks off with programs for librarians and educators. View the full slate of NY at 250 programs.

NY250: Tapestry of New York

Date: Tuesday, July 14

Time: 10:00am - 11:00am

Looking for a way to engage your school-aged patrons with America at 250? Uplift youth voice through project-based learning while contributing their work to a national digital platform!

Join the NYS Library as we welcome special guests from WNET, New York’s flagship public media station. Learn about the Tapestry of New York—a new online platform showcasing the creative work of New York students in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. This webinar will provide a full project overview, explore examples of student work, and outline strategies to implement this exciting program within library settings.

Tasting History at Your Library

Date: Wednesday, August 19

Time: 10:00am - 11:00am

Continue the NY250 Celebration with Elizabeth Jakubowski, who will share the story behind the NYS Library’s Tasting History project, including how it was created, the historical eras it has explored, and selected recipes from each period. Using Tasting History as a blueprint, she will also present programming ideas for all age groups that libraries can use as-is or adapt as inspiration for their own creative programs. Your culinary adventure awaits!

View a complete list of upcoming programs