Books in the children's section of The New York Public Library, New York

Stories start here. National Library Week

National Library Week kicks off today as libraries across the United States celebrate the power of free access to knowledge—and for younger generations, that availability can be life-shaping. Created by the American Library Association, it highlights how libraries support literacy, curiosity, and learning at every age, especially in childhood, when reading habits first take root.

The image of books lining the children's section of The New York Public Library captures this idea in action. At the Children's Center in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, shelves are designed for small hands and big questions, offering picture books, early readers, and nonfiction that invite exploration and imagination. These spaces encourage children to choose their own stories, build vocabulary, and discover that learning can be joyful, not intimidating.

National Library Week also celebrates libraries as shared civic spaces. In a time when reliable knowledge can feel fragmented, libraries remain trusted places to learn, connect, and explore ideas.