Carroll Gardens Pop-Up Library

Carroll Gardens Pop-Up Library

While Carroll Gardens Library at 396 Clinton Street is under construction, you’re invited to visit the 250 Baltic Street pop-up location for book borrowing, returns and more! You can now select Carroll Gardens Pop-Up Library as a pickup location when you place holds. Find out about library programs happening around Carroll Gardens here. 

Carroll Gardens Pop-Up Library is made possible by the generosity of Council Member Shahana Hanif, Assembly Member Joann Simon, and Senator Andrew Gounardes. Special thanks to IKEA Brooklyn for beautifully outfitting the Carroll Gardens Pop-Up Library with an in-kind donation of furnishings, as well as to Community Board Six and the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services for providing the space. 

Carroll Gardens Library Renovation 

One of Brooklyn’s most beautiful Carnegie branches, Carroll Gardens Library at 396 Clinton Street has served its neighborhood for more than 100 years. Its spacious, 14,000-plus square-foot interior retains its original, dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling and other historical features. The branch’s most popular programs include Toddler Time and wellness activities for older adults.

Carroll Gardens Library is closed for a much-needed, two-part renovation project. The first part, managed by the City's Department of Design and Construction (DDC), will include a brand-new teen space on the mezzanine level, a new heating and cooling system, new architectural lighting throughout the main floor and upgrades to the fire alarm and safety systems to ensure everyone's well-being. The second part will be managed by BPL and include an elevator modernization, bathroom upgrades and a water fountain.

Funding this for project includes allocations from State Senator Andrew Gounardes and the PB Voters of Council District 39, as well as Mayoral and City Council capital funds. Carroll Gardens Library is expected to open in Summer 2026.

Spring 2025 Construction Update: Carroll Gardens Library renovation is progressing, though this 120-year-old building has posed some unexpected challenges. After a thorough abatement process, the construction team was able to open the ceiling and inspect the structural integrity of the roof and its capacity to support the new energy-efficient heating and cooling units. At that point, it was determined that additional structural reinforcement would be needed to support these units. The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) now expects to finish their portion of the project in November 2025, at which point BPL will undertake an additional spruce-up of the building at the community's request. 

Friends of Carroll Gardens Library

Friends of Carroll Gardens Library is a group of organized volunteers who help our neighborhood library through advocacy, fundraising and promotion. If you are interested in becoming a Friend of Carroll Gardens Library, ask a staff member for details or email friends@bklynlibrary.org for more information.