Renderings courtesy of MASS Design Group and Marble Fairbanks Architects
A Transformational Vision for New Lots Library
Brooklyn Public Library is proud to announce an exciting new chapter for New Lots Library—a dynamic new library that both celebrates the neighborhood's vibrant future and honors its resilient past. After extensive community engagement from 2019 to 2021, a new library building was envisioned to better meet the needs of East New York, honor the site's history as a formerly-unacknowledged African Burial Ground, and celebrate African-American culture. The new designs create a space that will be a hub for knowledge, remembrance, and community.
The new 25,000 sq.ft. library will rise an additional level, increasing public space and access to Library resources and community spaces. Designed by MASS Design Group and Marble Fairbanks, the new library celebrates the heritage and culture of the community, while improving the ability of the library to deliver essential services.
KEY PROJECT FEATURES
A design directly informed by community feedback: the new designs honor the once unacknowledged African Burial Ground and celebrates African-American heritage.
A 14% increase in public space spread across four levels with dedicated spaces for age groups and programs.
Seperate floors for children and adult services, as well as a separate floor for the New Lots Library Adult Learning Center, a space where adults can obtain their high school equivalency diploma and take classes in literacy, citizenship preparation and more.
Significant outdoor areas on the third floor viewing terraces and in the new landscaped plaza surrounding the library.
Community spaces will be expanded, including a meeting room that can hold up an estimated maximum of 150 people, and be divided into two meeting rooms to allow multiple programs to happen at the same time.
New public spaces will include a music room and exhibition areas
PROJECT TIMELINE + INTERIM LIBRARY SERVICES
New Lots Library is expected to close in Fall 2025 and reopen in 2028. Staff from New Lots Library will provide services and programs around our community during construction.
DESIGN ELEMENTS: A PALAVER FOR EAST NEW YORK
In many African communities, the space of collective gathering is called the palaver. Often under a tree, the palaver created a community space for dialogue and truth telling, opportunities for solidarity and a shared sense of memory, and to commit to reconciliation and restorative justice in the wake of conflict. The mission of the library is to become a palaver for East New York—a place where whole-stories can be shared. The palaver will be visible throughout the branch’s reading and collection rooms, gathering and educational spaces to encourage children and teens to create community. Designed using mass timber, the palaver will be formed using branch-like radial beams, providing the warmth and character to encourage everything from learning to reconciliation.
PROJECT TEAM
MASS Design Group and Marble Fairbanks are the project architects. Members of this team have worked on libraries, cultural centers, memorials, and civic spaces around the City and the world.
Grain Collective, ARTs East New York, and Hester Street prepared different stages of the community engagement process, which began in 2019 and has continued with the design unveilings in 2024.
Other partners involved in the project include AKRF; Atelier Ten; Bird Control Advisory; Construction Specifications, Inc.; Cosentini Associates; Elizabeth Kennedy Landscape Architect; Envoie Projects; Front, Inc.; Gilbane Building Company; Jordan J. Weber; Longman Lindsey; Milrose Consultants; Nasco Construction Services, Inc.; TYLin; SETTY & Associates; Tillotson Design Associates; We Should Do It All.
PROJECT FUNDERS
Fundraising efforts for the New Lots Library construction project are underway. To date, the New Lots Library renovation has received funding from: the Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, former Council Member Inez Barron, City of New York, the New York State Education Department, proceeds from the redevelopment of Brooklyn Heights Library, and the participatory budget voters of the 42nd Council District.
ENGAGING EAST NEW YORK
A community engagement process led by Arts East New York and Hester Street provided an opportunity for community stakeholders to discover, celebrate and build on the site’s rich history, as well as provide input on needs and desires for an updated library facility.