Left to right: Olalekan Omodunbi - Chief of Staff for NYS Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman; Nick Buron - Chief Librarian, QPL; Dr. Brandy McNeil – Deputy Director of Branch Programs and Services, NYPL; Christine Schonhart - Deputy Chief Librarian, BPL; and Reggie Thomas - Head of Government Affairs at Google New York
Google.org Awards New York City Public Libraries $3M AI Literacy Grant
Funding will support training for library staff and the public, among other priorities
JAMAICA, NY – Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), The New York Public Library (NYPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL) today announced $3 million in funding from Google.org to expand artificial intelligence (AI) literacy to staff and the public to widen access to AI training and tools.
The funding will support a comprehensive effort to build AI knowledge and confidence among staff and the millions of New Yorkers served by BPL, NYPL, and QPL and builds on Google’s long-established partnership with New York City public libraries to help make the benefits of technology accessible for all New Yorkers.
The three library systems have a long-standing commitment to digital literacy, offering thousands of classes and workshops each year. This initiative builds on that foundation, while meeting new and growing demands for AI training as the technology becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life – from workplace tools to AI-generated content online. The trainings will help library staff and New Yorkers better understand the potential benefits and risks of AI.
During an event at QPL’s Central Library in Jamaica, library officials highlighted the urgency of expanding AI literacy, noting that the technology is reshaping how people search for information, complete tasks, and access services.
“AI is rapidly changing how people learn, work, and access information,” said BPL President Linda E. Johnson, NYPL President Anthony W. Marx, and QPL President Dennis M. Walcott. “As trusted community resources, libraries are uniquely positioned to help people make sense of these changes and ensure that New Yorkers understand both the promise and the perils of this powerful technology. We are grateful to Google.org for this investment, which will support efforts to educate our staff and the public on using AI thoughtfully and responsibly.”
“As AI increasingly shapes the way we work, learn, and access information, bridging the digital divide is more critical than ever,” said Reggie Thomas, Head of Government Affairs at Google New York. “We are thrilled to support New York City’s three incredible library systems in their work to equip staff and patrons with critical AI training and tools, helping to ensure that every New Yorker has the skills to thrive in the AI era.”
Each library system is tailoring the funding to meet the specific needs of its staff and communities.
Brooklyn Public Library will use its grant to expand AI literacy training for staff and provide public access to AI and professional certification programs, including:
- Hiring a full-time AI Learning & Development Specialist to lead staff AI training initiatives across the library system
- Training staff members in Google AI Essentials and additional AI competencies aligned with library workforce needs
- Hosting AI town halls and guest speaker series for staff focused on the practical, ethical, and responsible use of AI
- Expanding “Grow with Google” professional certification opportunities through the Business & Career Center and satellite library locations
- Providing one-on-one support, workshops, and cohort-based learning opportunities for patrons pursuing AI and career-focused certifications
- Investing in technology, marketing, and outreach to broaden access to AI learning and digital skills training across Brooklyn communities
The New York Public Library is actively using these funds to integrate foundational AI education into core services and prepare both its workforce and the public for a rapidly evolving landscape.
- To ensure universal AI literacy, the Library will provide all employees with foundational training. Our AI Education program integrates the Library’s guidelines and ethical frameworks with practical instruction on how to navigate AI technologies responsibly while gaining hands-on proficiency with the AI tools.
- Investing in our technical staff to build internal expertise and AI capabilities that better serve our patrons and staff.
- Advance public understanding of AI focusing on responsible use of the technology.
- Utilizing a “train-the-trainer” model leveraging the expertise of our TechConnect team—which offers free technology classes, workshops and resources to build confidence using digital tools in-person, online and asynchronously.
- Offerings ranging from beginner to advanced, panel discussions, community dialogues, and interactive challenges for audiences, including caregivers, families, teens, job seekers, entrepreneurs, and older adults.
- Championing hands-on learning with free access to a curated suite of AI tools in a guided environment to help foster digital literacy and AI fluency.
Queens Public Library will use its grant to strengthen its capacity to integrate AI and provide AI literacy training for both staff and customers, including:
- Hiring an AI specialist to train staff, building AI skills and confidence
- Supporting staff in identifying and using AI tools to improve customer experience and operational efficiency
- Providing “train-the-trainer” sessions for librarians and public-facing staff
- Enabling staff to use AI tools, guide patrons to appropriate tools, and offer basic AI literacy support
- Hiring digital literacy specialists to deliver AI workshops for the public through workforce and digital literacy programs
About Google
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges combining funding, innovation, and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone. Google has proudly called New York home for more than 20 years.
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages, technology, and digital resources. Each year, the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational, cultural, and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors. With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens, the Library consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology lab at the Queensbridge public housing complex, a community learning center at the Ravenswood public housing complex, and five teen centers. It also has five bookmobiles and two book bicycles.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.
About The New York Public Library
For over 125 years, The New York Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With over 90 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars. The New York Public Library receives approximately 16 million visits through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
BPL: Fritzi Bodenheimer, fbodenheimer@bklynlibrary.org
NYPL: Connor Goodwin, connorgoodwin@nypl.org
QPL: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org