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Reading Room

Bryant Park's reading nook 📚

Free use of books, newspapers, and magazines at the Bryant Park Reading Room, plus author appearances, writing workshops, book clubs, and much more!

2026 Programs
Books on Broadway

May 7, 12, 19, 26 (more dates TBA)
Select Weekdays, 12:30pm–1:30pm

Backstage looks at Broadway, featuring the cast and crew who make it happen. Hosted by Ilana Levine, actress and podcaster, Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine.

2026 Books on Broadway lineup coming soon!

Authors

May 27 – August 26
Wednesdays, 12:30pm–1:45pm

Best-selling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books. Hosted by Ilana Levine, actress and podcaster, Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine.

2026 lineup coming soon!

Poetry

May 26 – September 15
Tuesdays, 6pm-7:15pm

Award-winning poetry by established and emerging poets. Hosted by Jason Schneiderman, poet and professor.

2026 Poetry lineup coming soon!

Reel Talks

June 15 – August 17
Mondays, 12:30pm–1:30pm

Talks on movies, cinema culture, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, film connoisseur.

2026 Reel Talks lineup coming soon!

BookClub

June 16 + 30
July 14 + 28
August 11 + 25
Select Tuesdays, 12:30pm–1:30pm   

Conversations on the classics. Produced in partnership with Penguin Random House.

*Sign up in advance to pick up a free copy of the book while supply lasts.

2026 BookClub lineup coming soon!

StoryTime

June 30 – August 25
Tuesdays, 10:30am–11:30am

Meowsic, stories, and fun with Cali Co Cat and friends. Ages 2 – 8.

Non-Fiction

July 1 – September 2
Wednesdays, 7pm–8pm

Lectures and conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers. Produced in partnership with The New York Historical.

2026 Non-Fiction lineup coming soon!

Writers Workshop

July 9 – August 13
Thursdays, 6:30pm–8pm

Workshops geared to improve your writing skills. Produced in partnership with Gotham Writers.

 

Writers Workshop Teens

September 20
Sunday, noon–1:30pm

Essay-writing tips for high schoolers and young adults. Produced in partnership with Writopia Lab.

2026 Writers Workshop lineup coming soon!

Crossword Tournament

September 19
Saturday, 10:30am-2pm

Crossword enthusiasts compete to finish original puzzles.

Puzzle Meetups

June 14 – July 5
Saturdays, noon-3pm

Work with fellow jigsaw puzzle lovers on new pieces, hosted by Puzzle People of NYC.

Plan your visit

Bryant Park's Reading Room is an outdoor space for the public looking for newspapers, books and magazines to read in the park. No digital version here, we have actual reading material to give your brain a rest!

Look for the yellow umbrellas on the north side of the park near the 42nd Street plaza, and visit here if you need directions.

  • The Reading Room is managed by Bryant Park and is open daily, April to September 11am-7pm, to lend books, magazines, and newspapers for reading in the park.
  • In summer, the Reading Room hosts free events on weekdays.  Check out our calendar for all literary programs.
  • Kids are welcome at the Reading Room! Find reading material for kids in their own colorful rack.
  • All our events and reading materials are free! We ask that all newspapers, books, and magazines stay in the park for all to read.
Summer in the Reading Room