Expansion possible because of increased investment in libraries by Mayor, New York City Council in 2016 budget
Universal six-day service begins October 19; more branches to have seven-day service, weekend and evening hours, additional staff
Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library will dramatically expand its hours of service across the borough beginning October 19, thanks to an increased investment of $12 million in Brooklyn’s libraries made by the Mayor and City Council in the 2016 budget, Library leadership announced today.
The expansion will include universal six-day service, increased seven-day service and additional weekend and evening hours. Nineteen branches will expand from five- to six-day service. Macon, Mapleton and New Lots libraries will join Kings Highway and Central in offering seven-day service.
“Parents across our city know libraries can help develop their child’s lifelong love of reading—and New Yorkers in every neighborhood know the importance of having a local library where they can borrow books, take classes, and bring their families. That’s why our administration is investing big, with the largest increases in both operating and capital funding for libraries in our city’s history – including millions to ensure extended hours,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“When New Yorkers have improved access to valuable summer programs, after school, literacy, tutoring, cultural, job training and other programs offered by the city’s libraries, they have a better chance of improving their careers and their lives,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “By continuing to extend the operating hours of our libraries, we will enable working families to take full advantage of library services. The Council is a proud supporter of our libraries and we are thrilled to continue to help provide this invaluable service to the Brooklyn Library sysytem.”
“With our expanded hours and universal six-day service, Brooklyn Public Library will be there for patrons when they need us most—including working parents who will be able to bring their children to the library on weekends, and busy professionals and students who will now be able to access our resources in the evening,” said Brooklyn Public Library President & CEO Linda E. Johnson. “We are grateful to Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito and the entire New York City Council and Borough President Eric Adams for investing in libraries, and we look forward to working together to ensure that our programs and services remain fully funded in the future.”
With the introduction of universal six-day service, 22 branches will be open for an extra day—including six that are adding Sunday service. BPL will provide an additional 218 hours of public service per week throughout the system, with average branch hours of operation increasing from 45 per week to 49. Every branch will now be open at least 48 hours per week.
“Reading is the pathway to knowledge,” said Council Member Mark Treyger, co-chair of Council’s Brooklyn delegation. “The more our libraries are open, the more every resident has the chance to get on that path. As a former educator, I know firsthand how increasing literacy translates into greater social, political, and economic power. Libraries are precious extensions of our classrooms. I consider it a great privilege to be able to help dedicate funding for this tremendous cause, and I want to thank City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, Council Finance Chair Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, my co-chair Darlene Mealy, and the rest of the Brooklyn Delegation along with the Brooklyn Public Library for helping to implement this much-needed improvement in library service.”
Council Member Treyger hosted an event at Coney Island Library today to announce the hours expansion. The branch will now be open on Mondays.
Brooklyn Public Library has hired new librarians and staff to support the added hours. More than half of the new librarians will be children and young adult specialists, contributing to the Library’s work on early literacy and school preparedness. BPL has already hired nearly 40 new librarians as a result of the city’s increased investment.
Members of the City Council and other leaders joined Brooklyn Public Library in celebrating the service expansion:
"Our $43 million increase in funding for library services and programs shows the deep commitment our City government has for the life changing work libraries provide," said New York City Council Majority Leader and Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer. "It is wonderful to celebrate 6- and 7-day library service throughout Brooklyn. From English as a second language courses to their important work with seniors, Brooklyn Public Library meets patrons in a welcoming environment to help advance the lives of those who use them. It is a great day for Brooklyn and a great day in the City of New York!"
“The City Council is proud to have advocated for and secured funding to expand library service across New York City. The wide array of resources the Brooklyn Public Library offers children, seniors, immigrants and professionals is invaluable and a democratizing force. To have our libraries open on the weekends and provide greater access to them is a great victory for us all,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, chair of Council’s Finance Committee.
“Our public libraries and their dedicated workers are very important to our communities,” said District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “They not only provide a safe educational environment for our children but also serve as job and education centers for the unemployed searching for work and for immigrants learning English, as well as adults who want to improve their level of education. This is why we worked diligently with the administration of the various libraries, the City Council and our other coalition partners to secure the much-needed funding in this year’s budget, which allows for six-day and seven-day service desired by Brooklyn residents.”
The city’s increased support of New York’s public libraries came after a months-long Invest in Libraries campaign by the three library systems.
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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.