Council Majority Leader Will Lead Stay-At-Home Storytime

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — One of New York City's most prominent public servants plans to join a daily coronavirus-era pastime for Brooklyn children and families.

City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo will read the book "Jazz Baby" on Friday for Brooklyn Public Library's virtual story hour.

The reading begins at 11 a.m. and will also feature Cumbo's vocal stylings as she joins a librarian to sing a counting song, a release states.

"As a young girl, growing up in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Public Library was a childhood staple of mine," she said in a statement. "I especially love books that allow us to unleash our imagination. That’s why today, I read Jazz Baby, a book that will be sure to uplift your spirits, and get the whole family dancing."

To keep up to date with coronavirus developments in Brooklyn, sign up for Patch's news alerts and newsletter.

Cumbo represents a wide swath of neighborhoods in the City Council, including Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights and parts of Bed-Stuy.

Several politicians such as Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul have joined BPL's virtual story time — one of several online programs the library system has undertaken since the coronavirus crisis shut down its branches and sent patrons into socially-distanced limbo.

Many of them have served a dual purpose — entertaining youngsters and passing along the importance of filling out U.S. Census forms.

Cumbo plans to also talk about filling out the forms, a simple task that takes 10 minutes and helps ensure the borough is well-represented.

"Brooklyn is the most vulnerable borough in NYC to being undercounted in the 2020 Census," Cumbo said in a statement. "What does this have to do with the Library? you might ask. Well, how we’re counted in the Census will help to determine the fate of our library’s resources. In the face of COVID-19, it is critical, now more than ever, that our community is not left behind."

People can fill out the Census online at my2020census.gov.

Coronavirus In NYC: Latest Happenings And Guidance

Email PatchNYC@patch.com to reach a Patch reporter or fill out this anonymous form to share your coronavirus stories. All messages are confidential.