New York City is where the seed for A Living Library (A.L.L.) was first planted—an idea that sprouted in 1981 in the heart of Manhattan. While envisioning a reimagined Bryant Park outside the New York Public Library, founder Bonnie Ora Sherk proposed a revolutionary concept: gardens arranged by the Dewey Decimal System, intertwined with art, community, and technology, and connected to a global network of “Branch Living Library & Think Parks.” It was a bold plan that aimed to bring learning to life—literally—and to reconnect people with place, nature, and one another.

Years later, Roosevelt Island became A.L.L.’s second official branch and its East Coast home. What began as a concept in a park has since blossomed into a vibrant green classroom and intergenerational hub. Nestled between Manhattan and Queens, the Roosevelt Island site is now a vital part of the island’s cultural and ecological fabric—where students, seniors, educators, and families come together to learn, grow, and build community.

Today, our Roosevelt Island Living Library is a vibrant biodiversity hub, where nature, culture, and community meet. Here’s what’s currently growing and glowing:

Next to the Roosevelt Island Library
504 Main Street
New York, NY 10044