What makes this award unique?
The award honors up-and-coming writers who typically haven’t yet won major awards, and is issued by people who are involved at the NYPL in their 20s and 30s. The books represent some fun diversity in terms of style, topic, and publishers. It’s exciting to see energy coming from young people for young and aspiring writers, and to carve out space to celebrate that.
How has the library’s role evolved over the past 25 years?
When I started in libraries 30 years ago, we were a little apologetic about the work that we do with books. Today, we’re living in a time of digital distraction—reading is on the decline, and we’re at an inflection point societally where we could start heading in a different direction. This month, the NYPL officially launched its new strategic plan, and reading is one of our three pillars. It seems like a radical idea now, that we’re actually focusing on books and reading.
What is the most effective way to keep young people reading and writing?
The idea that reading is a social activity can be counterintuitive. The NYPL has been hosting readings parties: you bring what you’re reading to a public space, then talk to a stranger about it. When you’re talking about something you’re reading, it removes a lot of social anxiety. I hope that in 25 years, we’re having the same conversation—that in some beautiful way, there are young readers who are finding creative ways to celebrate their peer group of young authors.
