The New York Public Library is joining forces with HBO on #ReadingIsLit, a national campaign to celebrate the written word, the power of storytelling and encourage people to read, talk about, and enjoy all things literary.
The campaign will feature writers, performers, and creators from popular HBO programs sharing what they’re reading, what stories inspire them, and what books they recommend. Through videos, interviews, social media interactions and more, they’ll also encourage members of the public to visit their local libraries and sign up for library cards.
Participants in the online component — which will take place across HBO and New York Public Library social media channels — include Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley from “Big Little Lies;” Thandie Newton from “Westworld;” Mark Duplass, co-creator of “Room 104;” and Damon Lindelof, co-creator of “The Leftovers.”
The New York Public Library will also share a host of information at nypl.org/readingislit, including book recommendations from its team of expert librarians, information about applying for library cards, videos, and more.
Offline, the Library will offer special book displays at its 88 neighborhood branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, featuring titles that have been adapted into HBO television shows and movies — such as the Song of Ice and Fire series (which became “Game of Thrones”), “Sharp Objects,” and “Fahrenheit 451” — as well as “read-alikes” chosen by librarians that should appeal to fans of HBO shows.
As part of the campaign, HBO will also donate a “bookshelf” of featured titles to 25 select libraries across the country.
“Being storytellers, everything we do at HBO begins with the written word. We have brought to life many phenomenal books over the years on the network, including current projects Fahrenheit 451, Big Little Lies, Sharp Objects and our biggest series ever Game of Thrones so the timing of this partnership with the New York Public Library couldn’t be better,” said Richard Plepler, Chairman & CEO, HBO. “NYPL is a wonderful institution and to play a role in getting more readers in those doors is a great win.”
“Great stories — no matter how they’re told — hold an almost magical power, captivating audiences and sparking incredible passion and creativity,” said New York Public Library president Anthony W. Marx. “This partnership with HBO is an amazing opportunity to encourage people who love and appreciate wonderful stories in all forms to drop by a library and find their next adventure on one of our shelves.”
#ReadingIsLit is the latest partnership in a longstanding relationship between The New York Public Library and HBO, including HBO’s long-time sponsorship of the Library’s Summer Reading program to keep kids and teens engaged with books and learning while away from school on break.