New York City's latest wave of joy comes in the diminutive form of plastic ducks, and the populace can't seem to get enough. The delightful "Duck Library" initiative, a concept where community members take a duck for keeps or leave one for the next person, has turned into a youthful treasure hunt that is transforming the dynamic of local neighborhoods. JJ Cerillo, a Manhattan dog walker, initiated this quirky movement, which has ballooned into a citywide craze with children and families at its heart.
According to ABC7NY, Cerillo encountered a mysterious man who initially placed these tiny ducks throughout the city. Inspired, Cerillo sought the man's blessing to contribute, and soon after, her role evolved into something akin to a "duck librarian," undertaking the responsibility of refilling the libraries with new arrivals. "I'm here to give them ducks because I am the duck librarian," Cerillo told ABC7NY.
These metal boxes laden with ducks have popped up primarily in the Chelsea and Inwood neighborhoods. In a trend that started in late 2023, these ducks have been hidden all across Manhattan's streets, affixed to surfaces with magnets, now centralized in these communal "libraries." "When the library came, it gave me the opportunity to see these kids rush to this library and then I saw them all happy," said Cerillo in an interview with The New York Post. This sentiment is echoed in the infectious momentum the project gained, attracting not only the neighborhood's children but also capturing the attention of social media and local news outlets.
Cerillo, who has been estimated to dole out approximately 500 ducks daily and spends around $1,500 monthly on this community project, isn’t the only one taken aback by the initiative's widespread adoration. Families have developed a new pastime, with parents like James Felder finding an unforgettable way to bond with his son. In the pursuit of elastic fowl, they've inadvertently become more familiar with their own neighborhoods. "It's really about walking around with him, a reason to walk and talk with him. It's a blessing," Felder explained to the New York Post.
Notably, the craze isn't confined to New York City. Cerillo suggests that the concept is stretching its wings, with artists in Idaho and Edinburgh expressing interest in constructing their own versions of Duck Libraries. And the project's charm has even entered the art world with one Duck Library being featured in the Coffeeright Gallery in Chelsea Market.
