Brooklyn Public Library to Expand Hours of Service Across the Borough
Two-Thirds of Branches Will Offer Six- and Seven-Day Service; Most Branches Now Open Saturdays, Evening Hours Added at Many Locations
Library Will Undergo Most Extensive Staff Hiring and Training Since 2008
Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) announced today that it would implement a significant expansion of hours of service across the borough beginning in October. Two-thirds of BPL’s 60 branches will now offer six- or seven-day service, including Saturday service and extended evening hours at the majority of locations. This expansion is made possible by $2.8M in new funding from the Mayor and City Council, as well as through BPL-implemented efficiencies.
Beginning Saturday, October 4, the number of branches offering six- or seven- day service will increase from 25 to 41. The number of branches offering Saturday service will increase from 39 to 47, and additional evening hours will be added at many locations. Under the new expansion, branches will be open for more than 200 extra hours each week, for an average of 45 hours per week.
To support the added hours, BPL is undergoing the most extensive staff hiring and training since 2008. The Library is hiring new librarians, public safety officers and custodians; investing in clerical staff with new promotional opportunities and professional development; and introducing a new Technology Training team to facilitate instruction, interaction and experimentation with digital tools.
This expansion of hours is made possible by $2.8M in new funding from the Mayor and City Council, as well as through BPL's efforts to more effectively deploy existing staff. The Library's efficiency steps include consolidating book purchasing and sorting functions into a central location, the deployment of self-check technology in nearly every branch, online card registration, cashless payments, and automated computer reservations. Together, these improvements have allowed BPL to keep its doors open longer and enabled library staff to better assist patrons.
BPL will continue to work with New York Public Library and Queens Library, the Administration and the City Council in 2015 to secure the additional funding needed to adequately serve the entire borough, including six day service in all locations, expanded seven day service beyond the two current locations, increased evening hours, a more robust collection, and expansion of the Library’s many successful programs including adult literacy classes, services for older adults and first five years programs.
“We are very excited to be adding more Saturday and evening hours of service at our neighborhood libraries, and are grateful to the City Council and the Mayor for increasing Library funding to support our efforts to be accessible to our patrons at times that are convenient for them. We hope Brooklynites will take advantage of our extraordinary programs and materials, from storytimes for children and English for Speakers of Other Languages classes, to books and technology. We look forward to continuing to work with the City Council and Administration so that one day soon we can achieve our ultimate goal of providing 7-day service at branches throughout the borough,” said Linda E. Johnson, President & CEO of Brooklyn Public Library.
"From immigrant services to high-speed Internet access and literature programs for our children, our libraries serve New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "The extended hours of service at Brooklyn Public Libraries across the borough will help increase access to these services for so many families, and I am proud that my Administration and our City Council made this significant investment in our City's public libraries."
"Libraries have a multitude of purposes; from providing after-school programming to English language learner classes, to providing a safe haven for our neediest seniors in the summer heat," said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. "The City Council has renewed its commitment to libraries alongside the Administration by including an additional $10 million in New York's budget for the three library systems across the city. The Council is proud to partner with the Brooklyn Public Library system to extend hours at branches which allows 41 branches throughout Brooklyn to operate 6 days a week furthering access to thousands of New Yorkers.”
“The $10 million investment in our public library systems is a testament to our City’s commitment to expanding library service throughout the City so that every local library can be open as much as possible,” said New York City Council Majority Leader and Chair of the Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee Jimmy Van Bramer. “I am proud to have fought to secure this much needed funding to start expanding library services. I praise the Brooklyn Public Library for their significant expansion of services in response to their increased funding and service efficiencies. I will fight for expanding library hours for all New Yorkers to make seven-day service a permanent fixture at all local branches in the City’s three library systems.”
“People from across New York City depend on their neighborhood libraries for assistance, information, and access to technology like computers and the Internet," said Council Member Julissa Ferreras, chair of the committee on finance. "By expanding its hours, the Brooklyn Public Library system can make an even greater difference in the lives of New Yorkers of all ages from our school children who are being introduced to the wonders of reading to our increasingly tech savvy seniors. I am so proud that the City Council was able to support this worthy cause."
Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria), Chair of the Council Libraries Sub-Committee, said, "It is great news that the Brooklyn Public Library has increased hours and services to keep two-thirds of its branches open six days per week. Libraries are integral to all our communities. An institution that began as a book lender has evolved to include important services like internet access, literacy programs, and social education to children across every neighborhood. The funding provided by the City Council in this year's budget allows for this increase in hours and is a win for staff, library users, and all Brooklynites."
“I commend the Brooklyn Public Library for expanding the hours of our neighborhood libraries with the support of funding from the City Council. Families can now look forward to expanded evening hours at the Sunset Park branch and to an additional day of programming on Saturdays in Red Hook. Libraries are important institutions that build family literacy and provide a wide range of community programming. This is why I welcome the BPL’s effort to systematically look at each of our borough’s local libraries to explore ways to further expand the branch hours and programming,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Co-chair of the Brooklyn delegation.
"Libraries open a world of possibilities for our communities, so the news that one-third of the Brooklyn Public Library's branches will be open for expanded hours is a true game-changer for our borough. They are safe havens, study centers and social gathering hubs, where patrons experience everything from children's books to chess, crochet to cultural exchange. Brooklynites will benefit from enjoying more of these services, and our local economy will benefit from the additional staff hired to support these additions. I am proud to be a supporter of the BPL, and I look forward to working with its leadership to continue its ongoing efforts to enhance life in our borough,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams.
Details on new hours of service can be found at http://www.bklynlibrary.org/Expanded-Hours-of-Service.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.
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