WNYC and The New York Public Library Join Forces To Bring New Yorkers Together For a Virtual Book Club

APRIL 3, 2020—The New York Public Library and WNYC — two indispensable New York institutions — are partnering to host a virtual book club to bring New Yorkers together and foster community during an unprecedented time of social separation. 

Presented as part of “Get Lit,” the monthly book club from WNYC’s weekday arts and culture show All of It, the partnership debuts with a group reading experience of James McBride’s new book Deacon King Kong, an immersive and wide-ranging novel set in 1969 Brooklyn.

New Yorkers are encouraged to borrow the book for free via The New York Public Library’s e-reader app SimplyE (available on Apple and Android devices).

Host Alison Stewart and the Library will accompany readers throughout April, providing touch points on air and on social media at @allofitwnyc and @nypl.

On Thursday, April 30th at 7pm, McBride, Stewart, and readers everywhere will come together for a live stream conversation and audience Q & A. 

“During this unsettling time, we believe reading can be both the escape and the connection that New Yorkers need,” said Brian Bannon, the Merryl and James Tisch Director and chief librarian of The New York Public Library, which has been operating in the city for 125 years. “The Library brings New Yorkers together, offering welcoming spaces for people of varying backgrounds and perspectives to learn, grow, and explore the world. During this unimaginable moment in our history, when we all must stay apart but long for that kind of togetherness, we are proud to team up with another venerable New York institution to offer our city an opportunity to connect.”

“At WNYC, we bring New Yorkers essential news, trusted information, and community conversation every day, and our mission has never been more important or needed than it is right now,” said Goli Sheikholeslami, President and CEO of New York Public Radio, which includes WNYC. “As audio storytellers, we understand deeply the power of a good story to bring people together and create a sense of connection with others across space and time. At a time of unprecedented social separation and unease, we’re honored to partner with the New York Public Library to bring New Yorkers a community experience and companionship.” 

The Library has worked to secure a sufficient number of e-copies of McBride’s book for this initiative. To borrow it (or any of the more than 300,000 free e-books offered through the Library’s app) one must download the SimplyE app and have a New York Public Library card. Those who already have cards can link them to the app; those who need cards can apply within the app and, if they’re in New York State, immediately start borrowing. 

The WNYC and New York Public Library partnership will continue for the next several months, as the city continues to cope with the spread of COVID-19 and its aftermath. Future books will be announced on “All of It.”

For more information on the book club or on downloading the book, visit wnyc.org/getlit or nypl.org/virtualbookclub.

About The New York Public Library

For 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support. 

About WNYC

With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC is a leading member station of NPR and also broadcasts programs from the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region, including The Brian Lehrer Show and All of It with Alison Stewart. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most-loved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, The Takeaway and Snap Judgment. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors and sponsors.

About All of It with Alison Stewart

All Of It with Alison Stewart is WNYC’s live, weekday, participatory culture talk show that covers everything on a screen, music, literature, history, science, cooking, cleaning, popular culture, and ways of life for a city that is staying inside.  It’s about art and life, and the listeners. "Get Lit with All Of It" is the show’s monthly on-air, social media, and live stream book club.