NEW YORK, NY.- The New York Public Library announced a landmark $50 million gift from philanthropists Lynne and Richard Pasculano that will permanently endow the Library’s adult education programs, which support English language learning, workforce development, digital tech literacy, and more. The endowment will help maintain and grow the Library’s adult education programs, prioritizing branches that serve under-resourced communities where these programs stand to make the greatest impact. This gift builds upon previous commitments from the Pasculano family totalling $18.5 million to support adult learning at the Library, including establishing the flagship Pasculano Learning Center at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.

In recognition of this gift, the Library has officially renamed its Vice President of Branch Libraries and Patron Services to “The Pasculano Vice President of Branch Libraries and Patron Services.”

This comes at a time when Library programs and services are in increasing demand. The Library is the largest non-municipal provider of English language instruction. In 2025, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) attendance has already surpassed 200,000, exceeding last year’s figures. TechConnect offers thousands of digital literacy courses each year that empower New Yorkers to learn everything from basic computer skills to app development. Career Services helps anyone aiming to advance their career through various workforce development offerings, including support for those starting businesses, resume refinement, and interview preparation.

“This extraordinary gift will open so many doors of opportunity for New Yorkers and greatly advance the Library’s mission to foster lifelong learning,” said NYPL President and CEO Anthony W. Marx. “We are immensely grateful to our longtime donors Lynne and Richard Pasculano for their support, vision, and generosity. The New York Public Library was built on a foundation of philanthropy, and Lynne and Richard’s incredible legacy at the Library marks an important milestone in that story.”