Make an appointment with a librarian for a fun and free class visit. Librarians can schedule a tour, a storytime, or research help, and make sure all your students have library cards.
Visit the Library
How do educators schedule a class visit to their local branch?
Locate the branch library closest to your school on our Neighborhood Map. Call and ask to speak with the Children's Librarian if your students are 12 or under, or the Young Adult Librarian if they are teens. Visits must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Email classvisits@bklynlibrary.org and tell us the name of your school, grade, and location.
Please note: Masks are encouraged but not required for grades K and up.
Does the Central Library Youth Wing offer schools tours?
Central Library offers tours of the Youth Wing pending availability.
Appointments to visit the Youth Wing must be made at least two weeks in advance by calling 718-230-2116. The Youth Wing can accommodate a maximum of forty (40) people in each group, including chaperones. Due to scheduled visits, programming, and heavy use by our general public, the Youth Wing cannot guarantee sufficient space or seating for drop-in groups.
Please notify the Youth Wing office in advance of any group visits, even if special services are not needed. Due to scheduled visits, programming, and heavy use by our general public, the Youth Wing cannot guarantee sufficient space or seating for drop-in groups.
Central Library (including the Youth Wing) does not have space for groups to eat lunch or store lunches, bags, or coats.
How often can I visit the Library with my class?
Please discuss availability with your local librarian. A recommended timeframe for regular visits is once every three weeks. This gives students and teachers the opportunity to read and return the books and materials they have borrowed in a timely manner and then have the opportunity to select new titles. While we would love to see groups more often, we want to make sure that all classes and groups have the opportunity to enjoy a Library visit.
I don't have the time/permission to schedule class visits. Can you visit my school?
Yes! You can book a librarian and/or Center for Brooklyn History educator to visit your school pending availability, either virtually or in person.
Librarians offer storytimes for younger classes and give presentations with booktalks and resources for special assignments to older kids and teens. We can also tell students about library programs, volunteer opportunities and other resources for students such as homework helpers and test prep resources. Locate the library closest to your school on our Neighborhood Map. Call and ask to speak with the Children's Librarian if your students are 12 or under, or the Young Adult Librarian if they are teens. You can also email School Outreach Services (schooloutreach@bklynlibrary.org ) and tell us the name of your school, grade, and location. School visits must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
Center for Brooklyn History (CBH) educators offer engaging and fun lessons for 4th – 12th grade classes teaching a variety of research skills through the lens of Brooklyn history. Currently, all CBH Education offerings are virtual. Pending availability, classroom educators can request an individual class visit and our educators will come to pay a virtual visit to your school prepared with fascinating resources from the CBH archive to inform the research process. Consult our Resources page for topic and lesson ideas and sign up for individual class visits by selecting "An archives educator..." on the linked form. Brooklyn schools are encouraged to apply for our residency program, Brooklyn Connections. Learn more about this exciting and free partnership program.
Library Cards for Students
Students can sign up individually for library cards by filling out our online application form. They can sign up for a Welcome Card to get instant access to BPL's digital collection, online resources, in-branch use of computers and printing, plus limited physical borrowing (maximum of 3 holds and 3 checkouts). To sign up for a Welcome Card, patrons must enable location sharing via their web browser at time of application, and be geolocated within New York State. If location sharing is not enabled, students will need to visit a branch to complete the application process. If students would like to upgrade from a Welcome Card to a full access card, they can visit any branch with proper ID. For a list of branches, please visit our branch map.
If you need more information please visit our Borrowing & Library Policies page.
Please email schooloutreach@bklynlibrary.org with any questions.
Library Resources
Does the Library have a computer classroom that can be reserved by classes?
The Central Library Youth Wing houses a Tech Loft with 36 computers. The Tech Loft may be reserved for student groups by calling (718) 230-2116 at least two weeks in advance. It is available to all schools within Brooklyn. Students need to have their library cards with them on the day of the visit to log on to computers.
How can educators schedule a visit from the Kidsmobile?
Brooklyn Public Library's colorful Kidsmobile, a children's library on wheels, visits schools, child care centers, Headstart, afterschool programs and community events. Request a Kidsmobile visit to your school.