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Prekindergarten students from Giffen Memorial Elementary School made the short walk up Schuyler Street on Tuesday morning to the Albany Public Library Howe branch for a special Juneteenth Storytime event led by New York State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa. 

Commissioner Rosa read “The Night Before Freedom” written by Glenda Armand and illustrated by Corey Barksdale, one of three Juneteenth-themed books the students enjoyed during the event, which also included songs, dance and fun! 

Following storytime, Commissioner Rosa announced the official launch of the state’s , joined by Albany Public Library Executive Director Andrea Nicolay and City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter. 

This year's summer reading theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”

"We are fortunate in this city to have great partners like Commissioner Rosa and the Albany Public Library," the superintendent said. "Our public libraries are accessible in every part of our city. They are great places to go on your summer reading adventures – and they’re also great places to stay cool during the summer heat, which has started a few days early this year."

The superintendent also used the opportunity to pick out the first book on his summer reading list – “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak.

to read more about Tuesday’s event, and the summer reading program.

You also can to see more photos from the event.