Central Library

Open today from 9 am - 6 pm.

Hours

Monday 9 am - 8 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 8 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 8 pm
Thursday 9 am - 8 pm
Friday 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm

Address & Contact

10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238 Get Directions

Fully accessible

23BQ

B41B45B67B69

718.230.2100

Managing Librarian
718-230-2100

Amenities


About Central Library

Central Library first opened its doors to the public on February 1, 1941. With its breathtaking façade, sweeping grand lobby and vast contemporary and historical collections, it has been a Brooklyn icon since its opening. The library was designated a New York City Landmark in 1997 and joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. Central Library completed the first phase of major renovations in 2021. 

Central Library is Brooklyn’s home library, and one of New York City’s foremost cultural, civic and educational institutions. It is home to the Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Cultural Center, our premiere programming series BPL Presents; the Shelby White & Leon Levy Information Commons, an innovative public co-working and meeting space offering the latest technology; and the Business and Career Center, offering books, resources and assistance on job search, small business entrepreneurship and personal finance. Three floors of collections span a range of subjects, and include reference resources as well as books and materials in more than 30 languages. Central Library is fully accessible. 

In FY24, Central Library received nearly 6,000,000 visits, and items from its collections circulated over 862,000 times. 

Book Donations at Central Library

We are currently not accepting book donations at Central. 

Explore Central Library

Designed to resemble an open book, Central Library is clad in limestone with impressive Art Deco detailing by sculptors Thomas Hudson Jones and Carl P. Jennewein. Perhaps the building’s most striking feature is its 50-foot-high entry portico, set into a concave façade that reflects the elliptical configuration of Grand Army Plaza. The dramatic entrance is adorned by fifteen bronze sculptures of famous characters and authors from American literature, framed by columns with a series of gilded bas-reliefs depicting the evolution of art and science. 

Federal Depository Library Program LogoBrooklyn Public Library is a selective Federal Depository for government publications. It is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the Government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)   

Central Library Renovations

Central Library is in the middle of a major, multi-phase renovation, with the first phase completed in 2021. The second phase started in July 2024. Learn more about the project here

Alternate Service Hours

Occasionally, Central Library offer alternate hours in order to accommodate large events. For dates, times, and registration information for these events please visit this page.

Virtual Financial Coaching

Thu, Dec 12 3:00pm
Virtual

English Conversation Group

Thu, Dec 12 3:30pm
Central Library, Info Commons, Room 7

Virtual English Conversation Group

Thu, Dec 12 5:30pm
Virtual

Resume Coaching

Thu, Dec 12 5:30pm
Central Library, Business & Career Center

James Baldwin Exhibition Opening &…

Thu, Dec 12 6:00pm
Central Library

Drop-In Resume & Career Help (…

Fri, Dec 13 11:00am
Central Library, Business & Career Center

Tech Help for Your Job Search

Fri, Dec 13 12:00pm
Central Library, Business & Career Center

English Conversation Group

Fri, Dec 13 1:00pm
Central Library, Info Commons, Room 7

Virtual French Conversation Group

Fri, Dec 13 2:00pm
Virtual

LevelUP Information Session (Tech)

Fri, Dec 13 3:00pm
Virtual

DIY Fridays

Fri, Dec 13 3:30pm
Central Library, Youth Wing

Music Production at the Library: Guided…

Fri, Dec 13 3:30pm
Central Library, Info Commons, Recording Studio

Still Life Drawing

Fri, Dec 13 4:30pm
Central Library, Info Commons Lab

Citizenship Class

Sat, Dec 14 9:30am
Central Library, Business & Career Center, Classroom

English Conversation Group

Sat, Dec 14 10:30am
Central Library, Info Commons, Room 4

Saturday Storytime

Sat, Dec 14 11:00am
Central Library, Youth Wing

Events for Youth & Families: '…

Sat, Dec 14 1:00pm
Central Library, Dweck Center

Chess Workshop

Sat, Dec 14 2:30pm
Central Library, Youth Wing

Feng Shui and I Ching

Sat, Dec 14 3:30pm
Central Library, Info Commons, Room 7

Classical Interludes: Calidore Quartet

Sat, Dec 14 4:00pm
Central Library, Dweck Center

Central Library façade
Grand Lobby
An event at Central Library
An event at Central Library
Central Library façade