NYC’s three library systems — Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, and the New York Public Library — run free programming all year, and August is no exception. The marquee event is “Before New York,” an exhibit created by the New York Botanical Garden at QPL’s central branch in Jamaica that shows what the city looked like before skyscrapers, cement, and pigeons; it runs through Aug. 24, and exhibit creator Dr. Eric Sanderson gives a free lecture there Aug. 12. Science-fiction writer N.K. Jemisin — author of “The City We Became,” this summer’s Big Summer Book Club pick — joins WNYC’s Alison Stewart at the Delacorte Theater on Aug. 17. Brooklyn brings competition: East Flatbush Library hosts a two-week domino tournament starting Aug. 11 (registration required, come with a partner), and the Grand Army Plaza branch pairs with the Riders Alliance for a Future of Commuting design contest for kids on Aug. 18. NYPL is recording public audio stories for the StoryCorps “We the People” project at branches across the boroughs all month, and Queens’ Langston Hughes branch runs “Adultin’ August” every Thursday — line dancing, silent disco, and live music. For kids there’s a free monster-building writing workshop with Cosmic Writers (Aug. 3, register) and free ballet classes for ages 6–11 at the Rockaway Beach Boulevard branch. No library card drama required: show up and it’s free.

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