The New York Public Library and Macmillan Publishers announced today a partnership through which they will create and publish a number of print and ebooks for both adults and children. The books created by this collaboration will be inspired by the NYPL’s extensive collection of rare books, artifacts, photographs, and much more, which chronicle the history of New York City and its iconic writers, performance artists, government and civic leaders, and other luminaries.
The first few titles announced draw their inspiration from a wide range of media and materials, including the menus of 45,000 New York City restaurants, viral Instagram photos, and the iconic lion statues protecting the front doors of the NYPL.
The press release describes several upcoming projects:
Among the first adult titles will be: a book by acclaimed and beloved author and illustrator Maira Kalman celebrating libraries; a book on New York restaurant life, featuring menus from the library’s extensive collection of 45,000 eatery menus; and Book Face, a book bringing together the best posts from the #bookface Instagram sensation. St. Martin’s Press Executive Editor Michael Flamini is overseeing the adult program.
Among the first children’s titles will be: Coloring in the Lions, a coloring book featuring vintage art from the NYPL archive; a yet-to-be-titled picture book starring the stoic lions who stand in front of the Library’s main building, Patience and Fortitude; and a middle grade novel based on a real family who once lived in the library. Publisher Jean Feiwel and Henry Holt Books for Young Readers Editorial Director Christian Trimmer are overseeing the children’s book program.
“For over 100 years, The New York Public Library has collected, preserved, and made accessible to the public millions of significant and enlightening books, manuscripts, photographs, artifacts and more from history—items that have informed and inspired countless new works and ideas,” said NYPL President Tony Marx. “This partnership with Macmillan is a new, wonderful way to share our collections and celebrate the role of libraries with the public. We thank our partners at Macmillan, and look forward to filling our shelves with these new titles.”
The bulk of these collections can be found in the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, and the Science, Industry and Business Library.
John Sargent, the CEO of Macmillan, said, “What a great pleasure it is to be the publishing partner of the NYPL. Their building and the incredible collections it holds has been an inspiration for generations of Americans. It is an honor both personally and professionally to work with them to disseminate this great wealth of content.”
