Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is offering a rich array of holiday programs this December in an expanded partnership with Apple Bank for Savings. The holiday programs are part of the Everyone is Welcome Here world language family series, which highlights the borough’s diverse communities and honors traditions from around the globe. The world language family series has been underwritten by Apple Bank for the last three years.
“A successful library reflects the community it serves,” said President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library Linda E. Johnson. “Brooklyn Public Library’s multi-lingual resources and numerous cultural programs, generously supported by partners like Apple Bank, reflect the incredible diversity of the borough we serve.”
Performers Elenore Biezunski and Madeline Solomon will perform Yiddish Hanukah songs throughout the month with shows at the Borough Park Library and the Ryder Library.
Shira & Friends will celebrate Hanukah with singing and dancing at the Mapleton Library on Sunday, December 10 at 2:30 p.m.
The rich holiday customs of the Spanish-speaking world—from Argentina to Mexico to Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico—will be presented by Flamenco Vivo’s Carlota Santana on Friday, December 8 at 4 p.m. at Sunset Park Library. Through music, carols and dance, Navidad Flamenca highlights the traditions across the Spanish-speaking world and reflects the influence of the Spanish culture in the Americas.
Children and families will have the chance to meet Grandfather Frost and Snow Maiden along with other characters from Russian folk tales in a New Year’s celebration at Kings Highway Library on Wednesday December 20 at 3:30 p.m. The program includes singing, dancing and stories.
“Over the last three years, Apple Bank and the Brooklyn Public Library have enjoyed a wonderful partnership that has brought music, dance and cultural traditions to literally hundreds of Brooklyn children and adults,” said James Matera, Executive Vice President and Head of Apple Bank’s Consumer Banking Division. “We are proud of our Brooklyn roots and pleased that the bank and our branch staff can give back to these neighborhoods that we have served for so many years.”
Apple Bank is supporting the Library’s multicultural and multilingual programming for the third straight year. The program that began in the fall of 2017 includes a series of 20 multilingual family cultural programs at Brighton Beach, Kings Highway, Midwood, Crown Heights, Borough Park, Sunset Park, Mapleton, New Utrecht and Fort Hamilton Libraries. Apple Bank will fund the translation and printing of BPL’s “Guide for Library Card Holders” into five languages including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Polish and Haitian Creole. In addition, Apple Bank will continue to fund Language Line interpretation services throughout the library branch system, multilingual book giveaways and a new creative aging program for seniors at Bay Ridge Library.
Information on dates and times and other cultural events at the library are available on the calendar. To learn more about language services, click here.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: http://www.bklynlibrary.org/.
About Apple Bank
Apple Bank, established in 1863, provides consumer and small business banking services in greater New York through its branch network and online banking platform and is an active lender in the commercial real estate and corporate banking sectors. Apple is the second-largest state chartered savings bank in New York State, with $13.0 billion in assets and 79 branches located in the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland. Visit us at www.applebank.com.