The Brooklyn Public Library consists of a Central Library, a Business & Career Library, and 58 neighborhood branches in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Eighteen libraries are historic Carnegie libraries.[1] The Brooklyn Public Library also has five adult learning centers.

The Brooklyn Public Library is one of three separate and independent public library systems in New York City. The other two are the New York Public Library (serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island), and the Queens Library (serving Queens).

Libraries

Library Image Address Historical notes
Adams Street Library 9 Adams Street The branch opened on October 12, 2021, and was the first new branch opened in nearly 40 years.[2]
Arlington Library 203 Arlington Avenue The branch was originally known as the East Branch and officially opened on November 7, 1906; it was renovated from 1950–52 and in 1980.[3]
Bay Ridge Library 7223 Ridge Boulevard The branch was first organized in 1880 by the Bay Ridge Reading Club, built on its present site in 1896, and became a branch library in 1901. The current two-story facility opened in 1960. In 2004 it received a $2.1 million renovation.[4]
Bedford Library 496 Franklin Avenue The branch was recognized as an excellent example of library planning and design in the March 1903 issue of Library Journal. It was built using Carnegie funds and opened in 1905.[5] In 2000, an interior renovation and exterior restoration by Sen Architects was completed.[6]
Borough Park Library 1265 43rd Street
Brighton Beach Library 16 Brighton First Road The branch opened in December 1949, but due to high patronage, moved to its current location in 1964. The branch was renovated in the early 1990s.[7]
Brooklyn Heights Library 286 Cadman Plaza West The library opened in its current location in 1962 and was renovated and expanded from 1990 to 1993, along with the adjacent Business & Career Library.[8] In 2017, BPL sold the Brooklyn Heights branch to a developer, who tore the structure down and replaced it with condominiums and a smaller library, which opened in June 2022.[9][10][11]
Brower Park Library at Brooklyn Children's Museum Brower Park Library, a two-story building with an enormous yellow second floor 155 Brooklyn Avenue The branch was built in 1963 under a plan by mayor Abraham Beame. When it opened, it was northern Brooklyn's first new library in four decades.[12] The original building, located at 725 St. Marks Avenue, was vacated in 2020. Brower Park Library reopened for lobby service in the Brooklyn Children's Museum in 2021.[13] Full service resumed in 2023.[14]
Brownsville Library 61 Glenmore Avenue The branch opened in 1905 and used a second-floor space of another building, before moving to its current location in 1908.[15] The library is set to close in 2023 for renovations and re-open in 2026.[16]
Bushwick Library 340 Bushwick Avenue The branch was founded in 1903 and moved to its current building in 1908.[17]
Business & Career Library
[1] 		280 Cadman Plaza West Established 1857; current building 1962. In 2017, BPL sold the Brooklyn Heights branch to a developer, who is tearing the structure down and replacing it with condominiums.[9][10] The Business and Career Library's functions were relocated to BPL's Central Branch.[18]
Canarsie Library 1580 Rockaway Parkway The branch opened in 1909 with a small circulating connection and became a BPL branch in 1932. Since then, it has relocated twice to accommodate high patronage.[19]
Carroll Gardens Library
[2] 		396 Clinton Street The branch was originally the Carroll Park branch and opened in 1901 in a rented facility. The library moved to its current facility, a 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m2) Carnegie library designed by William B. Tubby, in 1905. After extensive renovations, the library received its current name in response to a request from the community.[20]
Central Library 10 Grand Army Plaza The library started construction in 1912 and was originally envisioned by architect Raymond Almirall called for a domed, four-story Beaux Arts building. Only one wing was built, and in the 1930s, the structure was downsized to a three-story Art Deco building, which was completed in 1940. The second floor opened in 1955. The Central Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.[21]
Clarendon Library 2035 Nostrand Avenue The branch was founded as a deposit station with a small circulating collection in 1913. The branch moved into its current building in 1954, and it was renovated in 1990.[22]
Clinton Hill Library
[3] 		380 Washington Avenue The branch opened in 1973.[23]
Coney Island Library
[4] 		1901 Mermaid Avenue The branch opened in 1911 as an unmanned deposit station. Ten years later, it moved to the former Coney Island Times offices and became fully staffed. In 1954 another branch was built. According to BPL's website, the library was referred to as "the first-ever library built on stilts over the Atlantic Ocean." The branch was rebuilt in 2013 after being damaged in Hurricane Sandy.[24]
Cortelyou Library 1305 Cortelyou Road The branch was first proposed in 1968, but did not open until 1983.[25]
Crown Heights Library A one-story beige library topped with a large clock 560 New York Avenue The branch was built in 1958 as part of a plan by mayor Abraham Beame.[26]
Cypress Hills Library 1197 Sutter Avenue The branch was founded in 1955 and the current building opened in 1995.[27]
DeKalb Library A tall one-story red brick building stands behind a concrete ramp and black metal fencing. Newly green trees of medium height have grown to the left and right. The sky is blue with some clouds. 790 Bushwick Avenue Built in the classical revival style with Carnegie funds. The library was rehabilitated in 1950.[6]
Dyker Library 8202 13th Avenue The one-story structure, opened in 1974, was designed by Daniel Laitin and features a blue-green glazed facade.[28]
East Flatbush Library 9612 Church Avenue The branch opened in 1945 and temporarily closed for renovations in September 2018.[29]
Eastern Parkway Library Eastern Parkway Library, a tall single-story building made of light stone 1044 Eastern Parkway This medium-sized library, built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, was designed with a classical limestone facade with large arched windows and entrance portal.[6] It is a two-story structure with 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) of floor space. The branch was renovated at least four times, most recently in 2016.[30]
Flatbush Library 22 Linden Boulevard The branch was built in 1905 as a Carnegie library.[31]
Flatlands Library 2065 Flatbush Avenue The branch was opened in a former Prudential Savings Bank branch in 1949, and moved to its current 6,000-square-foot (560 m2) space in 1955.[32]
Fort Hamilton Library 9424 Fourth Avenue Fort Hamilton was among the first communities to benefit from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie's $1.6 million gift to build branch libraries in Brooklyn.[6] It opened in 1906, and since then it has gone through numerous renovations. The most recent renovation was completed in March 2011.[33]
Gerritsen Beach Library 2808 Gerritsen Ave. (Bartlett Place) The branch has been operating since the 1950s, though it moved to its current location, a 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) structure, in 1997.[34]
Gravesend Library 303 Avenue X The branch opened in 1962 and was renovated in 2001.[35]
Greenpoint Library 107 Norman Avenue The site originally housed a Carnegie library that opened in 1906, but it was replaced in the 1970s.[36][37] The branch closed in mid-2017 for a two-year renovation, which would necessitate the replacement of the existing building with a new facility called the Greenpoint Library & Environmental Education Center.[38]
Highlawn Library 1664 W. 13th St. at Kings Highway
Homecrest Library 2525 Coney Island Avenue
Jamaica Bay Library 9727 Seaview Avenue The branch opened in 1973.[39]
Kensington Library 4207 18th Avenue The branch was originally created in 1908 as a "deposit station" with a small collection. It had relocated three times by 1912, and moved again in 1960.[40] The current building, completed in 2012, was the first new library built in over 20 years. Designed by Sen Architects, the project was heralded by the Art Commission of the City of New York for its successful integration of green design with other human, urban and architectural aspects.[6]
Kings Bay Library 3650 Nostrand Avenue The branch opened in 1951, and has occupied its current location since 1959.[41]
Kings Highway Library 2115 Ocean Avenue The branch was founded in 1910 and initially occupied several storefronts. The Kings Highway branch moved to its current location in 1954, designed by architects Knapp and Johnson and constructed by the Department of Public Works in 1954. It was the first branch library to be erected in Brooklyn by the City of New York.[6] The branch was renovated in 2009 and now contains a reading room in the basement and a passport office.[42]
Leonard Library 81 Devoe Street The 26,000-square-foot (2,400 m2) library opened in 1908 and was designed by William Tubby.[43]
Macon Library 361 Lewis Avenue The Macon Library was the 11th Carnegie Brooklyn library.
Mapleton Library 1702 60th Street Founded in the 1930s, the Mapleton branch moved to its present building in 1955.[44]
Marcy Library 617 DeKalb Avenue Formally known as the Tompkins Park Free Library, this branch opened in the center of Tompkins Park on June 6, 1899.[6]
McKinley Park Library 6802 Fort Hamilton Parkway The branch was originally a deposit station when it opened in 1911. The branch moved to the current 7,425-square-foot (689.8 m2) building in 1959, and the structure was restored in 1995.[45]
Midwood Library 975 East 16th Street The branch was founded in 1912 and relocated several times before moving to its current location. The branch was rebuilt in the 1950s and again in 1998, and a public plaza was built in 2013.[46]
Mill Basin Library 2385 Ralph Avenue The branch first opened in 1940, and it has been located in its current building since 1975.[47]
New Lots Library 665 New Lots Avenue The branch was founded in 1942 and became a BPL branch in 1949.[48]
New Utrecht Library 1743 86th Street The branch was founded in 1894 as the Free Library of the Town of New Utrecht and became a BPL branch in 1901. The current building opened in 1956.[49]
Pacific Library 25 Fourth Ave. at Pacific St. The Pacific Branch was the first Carnegie Branch to open to the public in Brooklyn, on October 8, 1904. Designed by Raymond F. Almirall and built by the Church Construction Company, the New York Tribune praised the new branch for its classical and dignified design.[6]
Paerdegat Library 850 E. 59th Street The branch opened in 1950 and moved to its current building in 1959.[50]
Park Slope Library 431 6th Ave. at 9th St. This library began life as a small collection of books on natural history in the Litchfield Mansion in Prospect Park. In 1906, the building, designed by Raymond Almirall was finished, using Carnegie funds.[6] It was named the "Prospect branch" before 1975.[51]
Red Hook Library 7 Wolcott Street The branch was originally housed in a Carnegie library, which was built in 1915 but burned down in a 1946 fire. The branch moved several times before moving to its current location.[52]
Rugby Library 1000 Utica Avenue The branch opened in 1957.[53] It was closed for renovations in mid-2018.[54]
Ryder Library 5902 23rd Ave. (bet. 23rd Ave. at 59th St.) The branch opened in April 1970 and was designed by Arthur Witthoefft.[55]
Saratoga Library 8 Thomas S. Boyland Street The branch is a Carnegie library that opened in 1909.[56]
Sheepshead Bay Library A single-story beige brick building stands beneath a gray sky. A tall person stands facing away from the camera while a second person with crutches is entering the library's front door, near the center of the building. 2636 East 14th Street The branch has occupied four buildings since it was founded in 1903. The current 7,475-square-foot (694.5 m2) building opened in 1963.[57]
Spring Creek Library 12143 Flatlands Avenue The single-story, 7,500 square feet (700 m2) structure opened in 1977.[58]
Stone Avenue Library 581 Mother Gaston Boulevard When the branch opened in 1914 as the Brownsville Children's Library, it was among the world's first children's libraries, as well as one of the last Carnegie libraries in Brooklyn. The branch was renovated in 2014.[59] Stone Avenue was renamed to Mother Gaston Boulevard in 1981, but the library kept its original name.[60]
Sunset Park Library 5108 4th Avenue The branch was founded in 1905 and was initially located in a two-story Carnegie library designed by Lord and Hewlett. The old library was demolished and rebuilt between 1970 and 1972.[61] A redevelopment of the library site, including a replacement library space, was proposed in 2014 and approved in 2017.[62]
Ulmer Park Library 2602 Bath Avenue 40°35′34″N 73°59′19″W / 40.592901°N 73.988609°W / 40.592901; -73.988609 The branch was founded as a subdivision of another library in 1951 before becoming a full-fledged circulation branch in 1956. The current building was opened in 1963 and was renovated in 2016.[63]
Walt Whitman Library 93 Saint Edwards Street The current Carnegie library structure opened in 1908.[64]
Washington Irving Library 360 Irving Avenue The branch opened in 1923 and was Brooklyn's final Carnegie library.[65]
Williamsburgh Library A two-story red brick building partially obscured by a tree on a cloudy day 240 Division Avenue The original building was designed by Richard A. Walker in classical revival style.[6] It is housed in a 26,000-square-foot (2,400 m2) Carnegie library structure that is one of Brooklyn's largest circulating-library buildings, and is a New York City designated landmark.[66]
Windsor Terrace Library 160 East 5th Street The branch began as a deposit station with a small collection in 1922, but after 1940, service was intermittent after the library moved to a makeshift structure created out of two old streetcars. In 1969, it moved again into the current library building, which had been completed that year.[67]: 391 [68] The branch was renovated in 1994, and again in 2011.[68] It closed for another renovation in February 2019.[69]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ivy (February 25, 2014). "Brooklyn's Carnegie Libraries". Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Brachfeld, Ben (October 12, 2021). "Dumbo finally gets a library, Brooklyn's first new branch in 40 years". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Arlington Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. August 23, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  4. ^ "Bay Ridge Library". Brooklyn Public Library. October 27, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  5. ^ "Bedford Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 17, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Bike the Branches - Architectural History Tour". Brooklyn Public Library. Archived from the original on May 4, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  7. ^ "Brighton Beach Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. November 7, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  8. ^ "Brooklyn Heights Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. January 18, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Walker, Ameena (March 7, 2017). "Brooklyn Heights Library demolition is approved by the city". Curbed NY. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  10. ^ a b "NYC approves demolition of Brooklyn Heights Library, paving way for luxury tower". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 6, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Brooklyn Heights Library Reconstruction". Brooklyn Public Library. January 18, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "Brower Park Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. November 7, 2016. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  13. ^ Verde, Ben (March 5, 2021). "Brower Park Library to offer grab-and-go service out of Brooklyn Children's Museum ahead of fall reopening". Brooklyn Paper. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  14. ^ Rahhal, Emily (July 20, 2023). "Brower Library Opens At Brooklyn Children's Museum". Patch. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  15. ^ "Brownsville Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. November 7, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  16. ^ "The New Brownsville Library". Brooklyn Public Library. October 25, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "Bushwick Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  18. ^ "Brooklyn business library to abandon Downtown; future of Brooklyn Heights and Carnegie branches in doubt". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. January 15, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  19. ^ "Canarsie Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Carroll Gardens Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  21. ^ Kathleen A. Howe (June 2001). "National Register of Historic Places Registration:Brooklyn Public Library-Central Building". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2011. See also: "Accompanying 16 photos". Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  22. ^ "Clarendon Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  23. ^ "Clinton Hill Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  24. ^ "Coney Island Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  25. ^ "Cortelyou Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  26. ^ "Crown Heights Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. November 7, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  27. ^ "Cypress Hills Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  28. ^ "Dyker Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  29. ^ "East Flatbush Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  30. ^ "Eastern Parkway Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  31. ^ "Flatbush Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  32. ^ "Flatlands Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  33. ^ "Fort Hamilton Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  34. ^ "Gerritsen Beach Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  35. ^ "Gravesend Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  36. ^ "Greenpoint Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  37. ^ "Toxic waste of time: Stop-work order further delays construction of new Greenpoint library". Brooklyn Paper. January 11, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  38. ^ Hogan, Gwynne (June 13, 2017). "Greenpoint Library Closing at End of June for Year-Long Renovation". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  39. ^ "Jamaica Bay Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  40. ^ "Kensington Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  41. ^ "Kings Bay Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  42. ^ "Kings Highway Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  43. ^ "Leonard Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  44. ^ "Mapleton Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  45. ^ "McKinley Park Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  46. ^ "Midwood Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  47. ^ "Mill Basin Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. November 7, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  48. ^ "New Lots Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  49. ^ "New Utrecht Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  50. ^ "Paerdegat Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  51. ^ "Park Slope Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  52. ^ "Red Hook Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  53. ^ "Rugby Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  54. ^ Katinas, Paula (July 3, 2018). "Study: Brooklyn Public Library needs $228 million for upkeep - Brooklyn Daily Eagle". brooklyneagle.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  55. ^ "Ryder Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  56. ^ "Saratoga Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  57. ^ "Sheepshead Bay Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  58. ^ "Spring Creek Library History". Brooklyn Public Library. November 7, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  59. ^ "Stone Avenue Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  60. ^ Gargan, Edward A. (September 1, 1981). "MORE AND MORE STREETS GET A CHANGE BUT IN NAME ONLY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  61. ^ "Sunset Park Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  62. ^ Warerkar, Tanay (March 17, 2017). "Sunset Park library's affordable housing addition gets City Council approval". Curbed NY. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  63. ^ "Ulmer Park Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  64. ^ "Walt Whitman Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  65. ^ "Washington Irving Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  66. ^ "Williamsburgh Library". Brooklyn Public Library. August 22, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  67. ^ Freudenheim, Ellen; Wiener, Anna (April 1, 2004). Brooklyn!, 3rd Edition: The Ultimate Guide to New York's Most Happening Borough. Macmillan. ISBN 9780312323318.
  68. ^ a b "Windsor Terrace Library" on the Brooklyn Public Library website
  69. ^ "Windsor Terrace library closing in Feb. for year-and-a-half renovation". Brooklyn Paper. January 4, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.

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