A Dip into Summer Reading

In August, children visiting select Brooklyn pools had the opportunity to enjoy refreshing ices and pick out free books to take home thanks to the Brooklyn Public Library, NYCHA, and the National Book Foundation’s Book Rich Environments (BRE) program. 

Events were hosted at Betsy Head Pool, Commodore Barry Pool, and Bushwick Playground and Pool, where a variety of free books in English and Spanish were available for a range of ages, including picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. 

“Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We are grateful to the Brooklyn Public Library, the National Book Foundation, and all of our partners for helping bring thousands of free books to NYCHA families, and I encourage every young resident to join us this summer, pick out a book of your own, and discover where a great story can take you.” 

BRE helps children living in public housing develop a lifelong joy of reading by connecting them with reading-related resources. Through the program, NYCHA has distributed over 425,000 free books to young people and families, and over the last two years, Brooklyn Public Library has distributed over 16,000 books in partnership with the National Book Foundation and NYCHA.  

“Through Book Rich Environments, young people and families in New York City, and across the country, get to experience the joy of choosing a book of their choice and reading it in parks, pools, and homes,” said Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation. “We’re tremendously grateful to our partners at the Brooklyn Public Library and New York City Housing Authority, who constantly find ways to connect books with as many New Yorkers as possible.” 

This year, NYCHA’s Office of Public-Private Partnerships received 50,000 books for children for distribution at events and community centers at the following developments: Astoria Houses, Drew-Hamilton Houses, Grant Houses, Gowanus Houses, Marble Hill Houses, Parkside Houses, Pelham Parkway Houses, Stapleton Houses, and Tompkins Houses. For more information about how to receive free books, email partnerships@nycha.nyc.gov.