BPL BookBag Project

When our department heard about the family separation crisis in 2018, we started brainstorming ways the library could help. After hearing about long wait times for children in immigration court and ICE meetings, I reached out to some lawyers who were representing children in NYC, some as young as 3, and asked if it would be helpful to have bookbags with Spanish language, age-appropriate books, and activities to keep the children occupied during these sometimes re-traumatizing ordeals. The response was a resounding YES. In October of 2018, a team of BPL staff and volunteers packed 400 bags with books, art supplies, activities, and information on relevant library services for immigrants. We sent them to partners around the city like Kids in Need of Defense, Catholic Charities, Safe Passages Project, The Door, and more.

In Fall 2019 we were determined to replenish those bags. With help from Urban Librarians Unite, First Book, and the Robin Hood Foundation, we shipped out 300 more, adding a few more partners this time like Make the Road NY. Hopefully, we’ll continue to get funding to help in this small, but meaningful way.