Reigning WNBA champions the New York Liberty are teaming up with the Brooklyn Public Library for a new special edition library card. Starting on Monday, June 2, all BPL branches will begin issuing 100,000 limited-edition cards featuring the 2024 champs and the team’s beloved mascot, Ellie the Elephant. The partnership will continue through the summer as the Liberty and BPL team up through Brooklyn Basketball to support the library’s summer reading program.
To kick off the initiative, the Liberty and BPL will celebrate their partnership during Ellie the Elephant’s birthday at Sunday’s game against the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center. Fans can enjoy book-themed activities in and around the arena, including a Brooklyn Public Library bookmobile on the plaza offering books to library cardholders.
Inside the arena, fans can stop by a photo booth and pick up Ellie-themed bookmarks, each with a QR code linking to an Ellie-approved reading list for all ages. The curated list features titles like “Lola Joins the Team” by Keka Novales, “Remember Us” by Jacqueline Woodson, and “Elephants Living Large” by Jason Viola.
“Deeply passionate about promoting literacy, the New York Liberty is proud to partner with Brooklyn Public Library to provide access to books, encouraging curiosity and inspiring students to find the joy in reading, in every Brooklyn neighborhood,” a press release reads.
The initiative reflects the Liberty’s growing investments in Brooklyn. In March, the Liberty unveiled plans for an $80 million state-of-the-art training building on the Greenpoint waterfront. Designed by Populous, the design team behind the Sphere in Las Vegas, the 75,000-square-foot facility will be one of the few dedicated practice spaces for a WNBA team and the first to be designed with insight from players.
Brooklyn Basketball is the platform of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, dedicated to supporting young players and fans through professionally led clinics, community events, instructional videos, and original basketball content.
The limited-edition cards will be available at all BPL branches starting Monday, June 2.
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