POTW: Othmer Library

[Othmer Library, Long Island Historical Society], ca. 1938, V1974.031.65, Long Island Historical Society photographs, V1974.031; Brooklyn Historical Society

Have you visited our landmarked library? Brooklyn Historical Society houses a world-renowned archives and special collections library on the second floor. The Othmer library has a magnificent reading room that is open to the public. We welcome and invite you to research our collections, read and do personal work, or simply sit and enjoy the space. The library is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 1pm-5pm. We hope to see you soon!

The photo of the week depicts the library reading room around 1938. Only a few changes have occurred since this photograph has taken, including the layout of tables and the precarious placement of paintings. This photograph comes from the Long Island Historical Society photographs collections comprised of photographs that relate to the Society's historic building, as well as the activities of the Long Island Historical Society (now the Brooklyn Historical Society). The collection includes black-and-white photographic prints, color photographic prints, contact sheets, and contact sheet negatives.  A large portion of photographs in the collection focus on exterior, interior, and detail views of the landmarked LIHS building. The collection also documents activities of the Society--such as exhibitions, tours, and events--held at LIHS from the 1950s through 1970s. To see more photographs from this collection, check out this gallery.

Interested in seeing more photos from BHS’s collection? Visit our online image gallery, which includes a selection of our images. Interested in seeing even more historic Brooklyn images? Visit our Brooklyn Visual Heritage website here. To search BHS’s entire collection of images, archives, maps, and special collections visit BHS’s Othmer Library Wed-Sat, 1:00-5:00 p.m. library@brooklynhistory.org