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The New York Public Library is known for its annual tongue-in-cheek Black Friday ads that promote free books and 100% off coupons. This year, the library is offering to help you “Book Your Dream Getaway.” This can’t miss “Black Friday travel deal” is an “all-inclusive package” packed with “millions of destinations” and an “all-you-can-read buffet.” The best part is, you can “travel free from the kitchen to the couch” without worrying about any travel restrictions. The only passport you need to take advantage of these unbelievable deals is a library card because of course, you’ll be traveling via books!
2020 NYPL Black Friday Ad, Courtesy of NYPL
2020 marks the third year the library has put out its (non)traditional ads. The ads are sent out in an email to the Library’s 1.1 million subscribers and this year, thanks to a generous and anonymous member of the Library’s Board of Trustees, it will also be printed as a full-page advertisement in The New York Times. The campaigns call attention to the many resources New York public libraries offer. During the pandemic, the library has added even more helpful tools including grab-and-go service at over fifty locations, virtual storytimes, 300,000 e-books, on-demand, 1-on-1 virtual K-12 tutoring in a variety of subjects, expanded access to research databases, and so much more.
2018 NYPL Black Friday Ad, Courtesy of NYPL
“While we hope the 2020 Black Friday ad provides some much-needed levity and shines a spotlight on the great work public libraries across the country have done all year to support patrons through an unprecedented moment, we particularly want to highlight the City that we love, one that, with much patience and fortitude, we know will heal and recover,” says Carrie Welch, the Library’schief external relations officer, “The Library will be there to help New Yorkers with whatever they need moving forward- including, occasionally, providing a smile.”
The Black Friday ad campaign is the latest initiative in The New York Public Library’s celebration of its 125th anniversary and its mission to make knowledge, information, and opportunity available to all, regardless of background or circumstance. You can check out all of the details of the “Escape to NY” package on the library’s website. There you will find a list of five recommended books that pay tribute to New York. A full list of 125 NYC-focused books for adults, kids, and teens will be released on December 3. The Library’s Black Friday deal is an “unlimited time offer.”
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