To help celebrate the accomplishments of NYC middle-schoolers in the National Book Foundation’s BookUp program, we deployed the Uni reading room at Rockefeller Park today. The kids had a picnic and read their work aloud, in public space, and the reading room was open to all park visitors as well.

Special thanks to Leslie Shipman and Rebecca Keith of National Book Foundation. The Foundation also awards the annual Uni was a winner in 2013. Thanks to our Volunteer Uni Librarians Leigh Hurwitz, Kelleen Maluski, and Juhi Singhal. And great work by Mike Gibson, our new truck driver. Today was the first of nine deployments in nine days—stay tuned for more great locations coming right up.

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Librarian Kelleen shows off a new shelf curated by the Uprise Book Project, which uses banned and challenged books to draw teens into reading. You’d be surprised how many of your favorite books have been banned…

Uni Rockefeller Park

One of our favorites books in the Uni collection donated by Musuem of Chinese in the America.

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Our staff handle all situations professionally—Uni Librarian Leigh appears to be reading a book titled “Creature” to a dog.

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

BookUp middle schoolers began reading their work to each others and passersby. Courage.

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Two Battery Park residents enjoy a pop-up book in the park.

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Uni Rockefeller Park

Thanks to today’s Uni Volunteer Librarians! See you tomorrow on the Lower East Side. Read on.