Senator Andrew Gounardes Announces Neighborhood Reading Challenge

Brooklyn, NY -- Senator Andrew Gounardes today announced his 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge to inspire the community to experience the joys of reading and learning in the new year and set a neighborhood-wide goal of 10,000 books read. Senator Gounardes pledged to read 25 books in the new year and will share his reading selections on social media through the year.

Readers can join the 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge by visiting gounardes.nysenate.gov or by collecting an official “Reading Challenge” bookmark from Senator Gounardes’ District Office at 8018 Fifth Avenue. The materials will also be available at satellite locations, FIAO Il Centro at 8711 18th Avenue in Brooklyn and the Gerritsen Beach Library at 2808 Gerritsen Ave, as well as all schools in Senate District 22 and local libraries.

The 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge is for all ages and will include local schools, libraries, senior centers and other civic groups. Readers are encouraged to set a goal for themselves or their institutions and, if they choose, to take part in friendly competition between institutions for most books read. 

“The 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge is a way to bring neighbors together over a shared love of reading and learning. Reading allows us insight into new ways of thinking about the world, something each and every one of us can enjoy and benefit from. I look forward to participating in the Neighborhood Reading Challenge this year, and hope many others will join in!” said Senator Andrew Gounardes.  

“With nearly four million books in our collection, Brooklyn Public Library is the perfect place to get started on the Neighborhood Reading Challenge,” said Nick Higgins, Chief Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library. “Books have the power to educate us, to take us to faraway places, to help us understand one another and to bring us joy. We are delighted to partner with Senator Gounardes on this important initiative.”

There is no better way to show our youth across New York State how important reading is, than to lead by example and that is why NYS Senator Andrew Gounardes should be applauded for creating ‘The Neighborhood Reading Challenge.’ We look forward to supporting this initiative at William McKinley, IS 259, ‘The Pride of Bay Ridge’ and thank Senator Gounardes for bringing literacy into the forefront of our community as one of his policy endeavors to inspire community spirit and foster an increasing love of reading,” said Janice Geary, Principal of William McKinley I.S. 259.