In this season of Borrowed, we’ll take a look at what the library was like 125 years ago, the radical ideas that founded public libraries across the country, as well as our missteps along the way.
Episode Transcript
Adwoa Adusei On November 30, 1896, Brooklyn, which was then its own city, adopted a resolution to establish a public library system. One hundred and twenty-five years later, here we are! Still going strong.
Patron [Sung] So we took a little trip, my buddy and me. We ended up at the library. I said, "Yo Snappy D, let’s go inside and take our minds for a little ride…"
Adwoa Adusei This is a library rap made by Crown Heights patrons in 1985. All year we’ll be looking back at different parts of our history to remember what the library means to its most important people — the Brooklynites who visit our branches.
Patron [Sung] “… but now I see, how much I can learn at the library.”
Gabriel We’re here at the library, Brooklyn Public Library.
Virginia Marshall And how often do you come here?
Gabriel Five days a week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Gabriel I started coming here in third grade. She started coming in kindergarten.
Somaya Kindergarten.
Virginia Marshall So, like, your whole life?
Somaya Yeah. Probably.
Roxana Benavides For the job placement, for the new immigrant, we are an informal educational center, too.
Tenzin Kalsang [Speaking in Tibetan] "What could we do?" asked Rabbit. "We could make soup," said Little Rabbit.
Michael Carey Words that come to mind when I think of BPL are “commons.” I think the lirbary is one of the few public commons in the United States.
Melissa Morrone People of all different classes, races, ages, interact here. No one is a customer, people just need to treat each other like fellow humans. Sometimes we fail, but often we succeed.
Tina Chang I was eight years old and I still didn’t know how to read. That’s why the library actually means … I can’t even go there, how much the library means to me. But that was kind of where I grew up, like where I really learned my real place in the world and where I felt at home, was the library.
Vanessa Williams The library has been a part of saving my life. It’s amazing how enriching it is when someone just says, "Can I help you?" And they’re sensitive and they care.
Adwoa Adusei In this season of Borrowed, we’ll take a look at what the library was like 125 years ago, the radical ideas that founded public libraries across the country, as well as our missteps along the way. We’ll also ask how libraries today are pushing for greater access than ever before.
Amy Mikel By eliminating late fines, you’re building the good will, you’re creating better patron relationships. And then some libraries who’ve been fine free for a while have been able to show definitively that those policies have helped boost circulation and bring new people to the library.
Adwoa Adusei We’re saying happy birthday to BPL all year long.
Fritzi Bodenheimer Happy Birthday, BPL!
Jennifer Proffitt Happy Birthday, BPL!
Donald Peebles Happy Anniversary, Brooklyn Public Library.
Hilary McKay And, happy birthday!
Somaya The library is like a safe place, it’s like home.
Amir I feel like when I’m at my grandparents’ house. It make me feel like all these books and stuff I see just make me feel comfortable, and to read and just do me. Just be me.
