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Park Slope Library - Renovation

Good news! Coney Island and Gerritsen Beach libraries will reopen this fall after extensive renovations due to Hurricane Sandy.  See our Hurricane Sandy Renovations page for updates.

Stripped woodwork at main reading room area New ADA walkway and ramp at exterior New concrete walkway ADA ramp, bridge over areaway and ADA-compliant railing New wood entrance doors with iron grills View of ADA exterior ramp from sidewalkExisting flooring removed to prepare for new flooring and electrical workNew concrete walkway ADA ramp and installation of structural support for new ADA bridge over areaway Preparation for concrete retaining wall New exterior ADA door at new exterior ramp Construction progress of new exterior ramp Opening for the new ADA door at new exterior ramp Opening for the new ADA door at new exterior ramp Opening for the new main entrance door New elevator and vestibule area at first floor New elevator and vestibule at basement level Stair demolished Demolition of slab for elevator pit Preparation for elevator shaft Elevator shaft Concrete slab Stair demolished Exterior ramp Preparation for exterior ramp Excavation for exterior ramp Interior demolition and abatement work 1 Interior demolition and abatement work 2 Interior demolition and abatement work 3 Interior demolition and abatement work 4 Drawing of Front Elevation Interior (Artwork by Thomas W. Schaller) Rendering of sidewalk with ADA-compliant ramp Elevation of new exterior ramp
Renovation Updates

Park Slope Library closed to the public on Friday, October 30, 2009.

Due to unforeseen interior and exterior field conditions, completion of the work at Park Slope Library is delayed. The main floor and its support structure were more deteriorated than expected. In addition, the concrete “moat” that surrounds the library and provides a path for emergency egress is significantly deteriorated; portions of the “moat” must be rebuilt.

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) and its partners at New York City’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) expect physical work at Park Slope to be completed in the late summer/early fall of 2012, with a reopening set for the fall of 2012. BPL apologizes for any inconvenience this delay may cause and will continue to update this site as the schedule becomes clearer.

Update - May 2012

Work completed since branch closing:

  1. Installation of new ADA-compliant elevator
  2. Construction of new ADA-compliant restroom
  3. New concrete walkway ADA ramp and installation of structural support for new ADA bridge over areaway
  4. Installation of new ADA door at new ADA ramp
  5. Removal of existing flooring at mezzanine area
  6. Construction of new exterior ADA compliant ramp
  7. Installation of new exterior door at the main entrance
  8. Installation of new ADA power-assisted door opener
  9. Demolition of existing flooring at main level
  10. Installation of new rails at ADA compliant exterior ramp
  11. Existing wood finishes stripped
  12. Electrical roughing for new lighting fixture
  13. New landscaping
  14. Existing mezzanine floor removed

Work to be completed:  May – July 2012

  1. Installation of new millwork and self service equipment in new public service areas
  2. Installation of structural steel framing and new floor for the mezzanine level
  3. Re-staining of existing wood work in reading rooms including paneling, columns, transoms, and trims
  4. Installation of new light fixtures
  5. Restoration of existing laylights
  6. Installation of new flooring
  7. Installation of new bookcases and shelving
  8. Patching and painting of all partitions, ceiling, and wall surfaces
  9. Restoration and cleaning of the existing tiled fireplaces
Renovation Goals
  • Installation of a new exterior, ADA-compliant ramp and entry door
  • Replacement of the existing entrance door
  • Installation of a new interior, ADA-compliant elevator
  • Provision of new ADA-compliant bathrooms
  • New floor finishes
  • New interior finishes
  • HVAC upgrades
  • New lighting
  • New public service model including self checks
  • New furniture

Architectural renderings of the proposed renovations can be found in the above slideshow.