Greenpoint Library wins grand prize in ‘Culture Pass’ book display contest

Over 9,000 votes cast at more than 100 different libraries

April 4, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

The Crown Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library’s entrance into the competition, featuring Sesame Street characters, the Brooklyn library runner up. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

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GREENPOINT – The winners of the Culture Pass book display contest were announced Monday, with the Greenpoint branch of the Brooklyn Public Library named the grand prize winner.

Nearly 100 libraries—representing every borough—participated in the competition, designing displays for the theme The Creative City.

Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center was named the grand prize and will receive $1500 to use for branch programming and resources.

The winning display featured an artist sewing a quilt; the figure was made using paper-mâchė from old newspapers, highlighting the Library and the neighborhood’s focus on environmentalism. In addition, the quilt was made using recycled materials. Children created the border patches, making the display a genuine representation of a creative city.

The public cast 9500 votes in the first round. The displays with the most votes were then reviewed by a panel of expert judges who selected the final winners.

The grand prize book display at the Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center. The display features an artist sewing a quilt, sitting in front of a window, looking out on the city. The figure is created from papier-mâché from old local newspapers.
Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library

Since Culture Pass launched in 2018, over 217,000 free passes have been distributed to library cardholders. The book display contest paid tribute to New York City’s creative community, including performers, curators, and designers and the favorite museums, historical sites, performance venues, and arts institutions which showcase their work and partner with city libraries to provide free access and admission.

“Library staff in branches across the five boroughs poured an enormous amount of heart and creativity into their displays this year. We’ve been able to engage thousands of New Yorkers and raise awareness about the free arts access available through the Culture Pass program, so while prizes go to the branches, everyone who sees one of these displays is a winner,” said Brendan Crain, Culture Pass Program Manager.

You can see the winning Greenpoint Library display through the end of April.