Spotlight: Macon Library, a Classic Carnegie Representing the Bed-Stuy Community

Macon Library, located at 361 Lewis Avenue, is one of the best-preserved Carnegie branches in Brooklyn. Opened in 1907, the two-story, Classical Revival-style building retains its original fireplaces, oak paneling, alcoves and wooden benches, along with the warm charm that has welcomed the Bedford-Stuyvesant community for more than one hundred years.

With Bedford-Stuyvesant being rich with African American history, BPL staff. local residents and community leaders made the preservation of that history a priority with the Dionne Mack-Harvin Center, Macon Library's African American Heritage Center. This general reference collection consists of books and periodicals, all with special emphasis on Black culture, depicting the works for and by the African diaspora, including two special collections: Preserving Footsteps and the Taneya Gethers-Muhammad children’s book collection. Preserving Footsteps, in collaboration with Brooklyn Collections and the Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford-Stuyvesant History focuses on the history of the neighboring community. The Taneya Gethers-Muhammad children’s collection was purchased in honor of one of BPL’s most dynamic and beloved children’s librarians who passed away in 2017. In addition, the African American Heritage Center holds robust, culturally appropriate programs such as art exhibitions, author talks and genealogy research workshops.

In June 2021, BPL launched the Black American Library Card(BALC) for Juneteenth. Macon Library spearheaded the project, along with community members, and for many New Yorkers, the BALC became their first card. We asked the Macon Library staff to share the story of their first card, and how they felt as part of the team that brought the BALC to life. "The BALC was a labor of love for me," said Nicole Bryan, managing librarian at Macon. "From presenting the idea to administration with Regional Librarian LaMeane Isaac, to me creating a BALC programming committee surrounding the launch of the card. This initiative really gave me a firsthand look at how a community-driven idea can shape the trajectory of an institution." 

"I received my very first library card at Crown Heights Library," said Chiffon Stafford, a librarian at Macon. "Who would have known that one trip to the library would take me on a lifetime journey full of adventure? Being on the BALC committee was a proud and exciting moment for me. There was a good selection of artists who portrayed Brooklyn and its culture in so many amazing ways. I love having a card that represents Black culture, and appreciate that Macon Library is the first to have one of its very own. "

India Washington, a technical resources librarian, remembers her first library card experience as one that equipped her with "...the power to explore." As a BALC committee member, Washington, "...felt super-honored to be a part of the Macon team for the unveiling and distribution of BALC. I know this may sound a little cliché, but on the inside I think I had a “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” moment."

For Donetter Riker, another librarian working at Macon Library, getting her first library card from New Lots Library was a ticket to access the likes of which her home encyclopedias couldn't offer. And it was a similar excitement that she noticed when patrons were offered the BALC as a choice for their library cards. "In my 13 years at Brooklyn Public Library, I have never seen people as excited for a library card as they were for the Black American Library Card! I wonder if like me, they enjoyed seeing a representation of themselves?  I imagine them saying, 'I see the potential stories of the people on the card, now what is my story?'"  

"The enthusiasm and pleasure of patrons when they are given the choice to receive a special, limited-edition card has been a thrill," said Maria MaGrath, a children's librarian at Macon. "In the month following the BALC's release, and at every outdoor event where it was displayed, people stopped to observe and learn more about it."

For more information on the Black American Library Card, visit us online. 

To find out about events hosted by staff at Macon Library, see our calendar.

Want recommendations on books about African American culture and history? Check out this booklist by one of our own BookMatch librarians.