Leonard Library

Leonard Library Accessibility Project

Planning is underway for the second phase of Leonard Library's renovation. While the first phase focused on infrastructure upgrades and restoration of the branch's historic Carnegie features, this next phase will focus on long-awaited and long-sought accessibility improvements, including a passenger elevator and ADA bathrooms. This phase will finally bring full accessibility to Leonard Library for the first time in its nearly 120-year history. The earliest possible start date for construction is fall 2027, though that timeframe is only a preliminary projection and the project may start much later. 

Leonard Library is one of BPL's original Carnegie branches and is the iconic library visited by Francie in Betty Smith’s beloved book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. In 2008, Brooklyn Public Library staff joined Smith’s family and the NYC Parks Department to plant a tree in the author’s memory outside of the branch. Located one block from busy Metropolitan Avenue and situated on a residential block in Williamsburg, Leonard Library fills an important niche in this lively community, offering popular children's programming such as Story Play on Tuesdays and Jump, Dance and Wiggle on Fridays. 

Friends of Leonard Library

Friends of Leonard Library was founded in 2008 and reconvened in 2015. The group generally meets on the first Saturday of every month at 12pm in the downstairs meeting room of Leonard Library. For more information about activities and joining the group, visit our website.