Public libraries utilize art and diverse curation to engage readers

Public libraries are implementing diverse strategies to engage new readers and foster community connections. In Nariño, Colombia, the Comfamiliar de Nariño Public Library has launched a project to attract adolescents through art. By collaborating with artists Sofía Bernal and Daniela Velásquez, the library facilitated the creation of a mural that incorporates the original sketches of the youth participants, allowing them to feel a sense of ownership over the space.

In the United States, the New York Public Library has released its selection of the best new comics for 2026. Curated by librarians, the list reflects evolving reading habits and includes a diverse range of genres. Notable titles include horror works like ‘Everything Dead and Dying’ and non-fiction pieces such as ‘The Dissidents’, which explores freedom of expression during World War I, and ‘Major Taylor: The World’s Fastest Man’, a biography of the Black cycling pioneer.