Multi-Phase Plan for Central Library Will Overhaul Outdated Infrastructure; Create New Public Spaces; Grow Publicly Accessible Space by 50 Percent. BPL Enters Its Most Significant Era of Rebuilding in its History; Over the Next Five Years, One Third of BPL’s System will Have Been Rebuilt or Fully Renovated.
Renderings available here.
Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Public Library is embarking on an ambitious, $135 Million capital plan to upgrade the Central Library, its flagship branch and the city’s largest lending library, BPL leadership announced today. The plan serves as a capstone for the most significant era of rebuilding in its history, with one third of BPL branches slated for renovation or overhaul.
“New York City’s largest lending library is also one of its architectural gems,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “A thoughtfully restored, inspiring, flexible space is richly deserved by the 1.3 million people who visit Central Library each year. We look forward to working with the community to bring this vision to life.”
“Libraries are the beating heart of neighborhoods across the city,” said NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Now, the whole borough of Brooklyn will be better served by newly renovated, modern spaces in the Central Library. These upgrades will make the library more accessible and better able to serve the needs of the community for generations to come.”
BPL Enters Most Significant Rebuilding Era Since Construction of Carnegie Libraries
For the past several years, Brooklyn Public Library has invested in closing its $300 Million capital needs gap and updating aging infrastructure system-wide. The result of that work is that over a third of the libraries in the BPL system have recently been or will be replaced or overhauled. Thirteen libraries with nearly $53 million in combined capital needs are slated to receive full-scale renovations over the next several years. Another three libraries, Brooklyn Heights Library, Greenpoint Library and Sunset Park Library, are going to be completely rebuilt, and two new satellite facilities in DUMBO and the BAM cultural district will bring the system’s total number of locations from 59 to 61.
A Plan for Central Library
With 1.3 million users annually, three-quarters of whom travel from across the borough, and city, to access its resources, and over 4,000 events per year from senior writing workshops to classical music concerts, Brooklyn Public Library’s Central branch is an educational focal point of the borough, where all are welcome to access not only information but high-quality educational, cultural and social services, all for free.
Nonetheless, the library’s physical space is not keeping up with the demands made on it by a growing borough. Its infrastructure is failing, with many components like elevators, escalators and electrical systems in need of repair or replacement. Nearly 60% of the building is inaccessible to the public, with related services scattered through the building. Ad-hoc repair work inconveniences patrons and strains budgets. An increase in city capital funding and creative project partnerships have begun to stem the tide throughout the system – but years of underfunding have meant that key infrastructure repairs in the Central Library have been put on hold.
The plan, broken into four phases over eight years, will first address the library as it is today— helping to reorganize the branch to create a more common-sense layout, and address infrastructural needs like modernized elevators and renovating the outdoor plaza.
The Central plan’s later phases will look to the future of the library—opening new sections of the building that have not previously been accessible to the public, and working closely with the community to identify what they want from dramatically increased and improved flexible space.
Phases of Construction
The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in April of 2018 with a rehab of the Central Library’s front plaza, supported with funding from the New York State Education Department, and upgrading infrastructure including elevators, restrooms, and HVAC systems. During this phase, the library will also create the Major Owens Welcome Center, funded by funded by Assemblymember Walter T. Mosely and the New York State Assembly, as well as a new, constantly-curated and modern popular library, where patrons can quickly check out top titles.
The IDNYC office and Passport Services Center currently in the entryway will move to a new, more spacious Civic Commons by the Flatbush Wing on the first floor, providing a more comfortable experience for patrons seeking civic assistance. The Civic Commons is funded in large part by Borough President Eric Adams. The first phase of the project will also include a new Business and Career Center on the second floor, funded in part by the New York State Regional Economic Development Council.
The second phase of the project will create a new Brooklyn Teen Space on the second floor; a new and expanded learning and literacy center, and consolidated and updated staff areas to allow additional space to be opened to the public.
It the later phases of the project BPL plans to create additional public space below grade with a direct connection from the building’s Grand Lobby and to connect the branch with Mount Prospect Park to create a Central Brooklyn green campus that includes the library, park and Botanical Gardens.
The first phase is fully funded at $35 million—which includes $10 million received from City Hall in 2017 and $2 million from the Borough President’s office. Brooklyn Public Library will fundraise for phases two through four from a mix of private and public sources.
Throughout all phases of the renovation, Central Library will remain open and operational. Library staff is committed to open communication throughout the construction process, with regular updates on progress to staff, patrons and supporters and planning discussions with stakeholders for newly-created public spaces including the teen space, learning center and new below-grade and outdoor spaces.
“I’m thrilled to support an innovative and important update to Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch, including a first-of-its-kind Civic Commons,” said Borough President Eric Adams. “Brooklyn welcomes all people, and the Central Library’s Civic Commons will be Brooklyn’s front door — helping Brooklynites build civic literacy and find needed services like immigration assistance, a first passport, or idNYC. Together, we can empower Brooklynites to become more active citizens.”
“Brooklyn Public Library is a key player in the lives of Brooklynites. No matter where you are, in the borough or in your life, BPL can provide services tailored to your needs, all for free,” said United States Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. “Brooklyn Public Library is making great improvements in libraries across the borough—with new lighting, furniture and inspiring, modern library design. Now, I am proud to support the institution as it turns to addressing the needs of the borough’s ‘people’s library’, its Central branch. This is a remarkable achievement.”
“You can always find a good book at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central branch, but the library is so much more than that—it’s the first access point that many Brooklyn residents have to government services; it’s a school, a concert hall, a social club, a senior center, a resource for new Americans. Its physical space should reflect the importance of all those resources to Brooklyn,” said New York State Senator Kevin Parker. “I support this innovative effort to bring Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch, an architectural marvel and an educational hub for Brooklyn, in line with the remarkable New Yorkers who enter its doors each day.”
"Congressman Owens lived to serve his community, beginning right here in Brooklyn as the neighborhood librarian. It is fitting that the borough's central public library will welcome visitors in his memory. Under Congressman Owens' leadership, New York saw the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, minimum wage increases, and legislation to ensure safe work environments. Congressman Owens helped to influence the future with his work to improve access to higher education for minorities and others who were unable to attend college. His dedication to the people of Brooklyn, and our nation, has had an immense impact on me, as I know it will for future generations who find themselves inspired after they visit Brooklyn's Public Library," said Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley.
“For more than seven decades, New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds have patronized the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library for educational, cultural, and civic programs. Today, this library is renowned as an institution for innovation, thoughtful conversations, self-education and empowerment. I am proud to join in support of the four-phase renovation, which will enhance the capacity of this Library to not only meet our borough’s growing needs, but also preserve and expand access to its vast resources for future generations,” said New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo.
For additional information, visit the Central Library construction website.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.6 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 59 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/