Single Largest Renovation and Restoration in Central Library’s 80-year History
Newly accessible space includes civic commons for community engagement including passport and city services; ‘new and noteworthy’ book gallery with librarian-curated book titles; enlarged and modernized business and career center for job seekers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners; and Major Owens Welcome Center dedicated to Brooklyn’s ‘Librarian of Congress’
See images here.
Brooklyn, NY -- As New York begins to reopen, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is unveiling the first phase of its Central Library revitalization both restoring a majestic landmark and creating new, inspiring and innovative spaces to serve the next generation of library patrons. See new images of Central Library here.
“The most extensive renovation in Central’s history honors its past and looks with great excitement toward its future,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “With the help of Toshiko Mori and so many generous partners, we’ve efficiently and artfully reclaimed significantly more space for the public, where millions of patrons will soon be able to browse books, log onto computers, refine their resumes, register to vote, and much more. This building embodies BPL’s mission: its soaring architecture belongs to absolutely everyone, and inside it they’ll find the resources they need to participate in and advance our democracy.”
“Beyond housing some of the world’s greatest cultural and educational resources, the Brooklyn Public Library is THE resource hub for Brooklynites,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With this new investment, the Brooklyn Public Library can better serve the public, making it easier than ever before for New Yorkers to engage civically, cultivate their small businesses, and expand their careers in their own backyard.”
“When New Yorkers sought familiarity and stability in a global pandemic, the Brooklyn Public Library stepped up to meet the needs of its community,” said Deputy Mayor of Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “We’re so proud to have supported this project, which allowed for a modern overhaul so Central Library can continue to serve as Brooklyn’s hub of connection, civic engagement, and self-improvement for years to come.”
“I was proud to allocate capital dollars toward the Civic Commons space, which I believe will be a true democratic hub for people across the Borough to get involved and engaged. Congratulations to the Brooklyn Public Library on its opening, which will revitalize and rehabilitate space for constituent services like IDNYC and processing passports. The library has long been an invaluable resource for so many, especially during the pandemic, and I’m thrilled to see this investment come to fruition so that it will be offering an even wider array of services to Brooklynites. I thank the Library for their partnership throughout these years,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
BPL partnered with renowned architect, Toshiko Mori, to both restore the Library to its original grandeur and transform Central Library into a more flexible modern building for today. The design both returns space—formerly used for administrative needs—back to the public and anticipates how people might use the Library in the future.
“The words carved at the entrance to the library read ‘The Brooklyn Public Library, through the joining of municipal enterprise and private generosity, offers to all people perpetual and free access to the knowledge and thought of all the ages,’” said Toshiko Mori. “I am honored and privileged to be able to work with the Brooklyn Public Library, its leadership team, and its amazing group of supporters to make the library ready to meet the current and future needs of its community. In partnership with Gilbane, we were able to optimize the spatial potential of the Central Branch to engage and respond to the evolving needs of its community and to further its role as an essential civic and community asset that provides diverse amenities for the public. Its mission of providing knowledge for free to everyone is now enhanced by increased physical and visual access to its resources. Led by their own curiosity, the public can explore the library’s vast collection and experience a sense of discovery and wonder.”
With more than 1.3 million visits per year, Central Library is among the busiest buildings in the borough. Phase one of the multi-phase redevelopment returned space formerly used for administrative needs back to the public, and created four new spaces for the public to enjoy:
The new Civic Commons is an easily accessible, dedicated hub for organizations and services that facilitate participation in public life, featuring a new dedicated entrance on Flatbush Avenue. Home to Central Library's Passport Services Center, IDNYC office, a rotating community partner office, and a computer lab, waiting patrons will find a common reception area offering plentiful seating and free WiFi. In the future, the space will host civic events such as local committee meetings, informational workshops and voter registration drives through partnerships with Brooklyn Voters Alliance, Immigrant Justice Corps, the NYC Department of Health, and others. Funding for the Civic Commons was provided by Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams.
The Major Owens Welcome Center will provide a first point of access for Brooklynites as they enter the branch through the library’s famous gilded entryway, framed by 15 bronze sculptures of famous characters and authors from American literature. The welcome center will process check-outs and returns, and direct patrons to services throughout the branch, just as the library did when the building first opened 80 years ago. Funding for the Major Owens Welcome Center was provided by the New York State Assembly.
Major Owens, who represented New York's 11th and then 12th Congressional districts, worked as a librarian at Brooklyn Public Library in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In his 12 terms representing Brooklyn, he was known as the “librarian in Congress” and dedicated his career to providing access to education.
Across from the Major Owens Welcome Center, patrons can view an exhibit on the Congressman’s life, including never before seen photographs of the Congressman, handwritten and typed speeches, publications, campaign flyers, and more.
"Major Owens believed that education was the key to civilization and that libraries were the key to quality education. He also considered the Brooklyn Public Library system to be his professional birthplace and "home." The new Major Owens Welcome Center and the excellent exhibit are a most fitting tribute for the first formally trained librarian to ever serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. I know he is grateful to the Library, to former Assemblyman Walter Mosley, and to everyone who made this possible, as is his family," said Chris Owens, eldest son of the late Congressman and founder of RememberTheMajor.com.
In the ‘New & Noteworthy’ book gallery, just off the grand lobby, patrons can find the latest fiction and nonfiction titles, from best sellers to lesser-known books thoughtfully curated by librarians. At 1,190 square feet, New & Noteworthy can hold approximately 2,000 books along with space to read amid natural light from the large windows overlooking Grand Army Plaza. Overhead, a striking custom-designed metal ceiling sculpture with specialty lighting invites curious readers to spend time exploring the collections in the room. This new gallery, for the first time in many decades, brings books to the front of the library, reflecting BPL’s mission to provide free access to all the world’s wisdom.
Funding for New & Noteworthy was provided by Susan and David Marcinek. Susan Marcinek, who serves as the Chair of Brooklyn Public Library’s Board of Trustees, is also generously funding a new program called Pathways to Leadership, which will provide full scholarships for Black, Latino, Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander members of BPL staff to earn master’s degrees in library science. Successful graduates will have the opportunity to become librarians at BPL.
“As we look to Brooklyn’s recovery, it’s important to invest in the things we love most about our city and work together to alter the things we don’t,” said Susan Marcinek, Chair of BPL’s Board of Trustees. “The New & Noteworthy space is designed to welcome readers from all walks of life to the Library and inspire them to explore our collection. In conjunction with that gift, I’m extremely excited to announce the Pathways to Leadership program for Library staff of color. It's part of BPL’s commitment to dismantle structural racism and bias wherever it exists, and I hope it becomes a model for other libraries across the country.”
A new and greatly enlarged Business and Career Center, is a specially-reserved space for job seekers and small business owners—a particularly important addition for the post-COVID recovery. Drawing on a long tradition of helping the community in times of economic trouble from World War I to 9/11 to Hurricane Sandy, BPL offers an array of services and programs for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and job seekers. Trained business librarians are on hand to help with everything from resume review to navigation of local, state and federal government aid programs.
The space includes custom-designed wood counter seating, four private meeting rooms, seven conversation “nooks”, a co-working area with laptops for loan, and two large seminar rooms, including one with built in/automated presentation equipment. More importantly, the Business and Career Library connects, via a new glass-enclosed staircase, to the popular Shelby White and Leon Levy Info Commons on the first floor. Opened in 2013, it is among the most popular spots in the library, with a recording studio, seven reservable meeting rooms, computers, open space for students, gig workers and anyone who needs a quiet space to work, with plenty of outlets for all. Funding for the Business and Career Center was supported by an Empire State Development grant through the NYC Regional Economic Development Council.
Phase one of the revitalization also restored the library’s lobby to its original grandeur, including restoration and refurbishment of the historic oak wood paneling, newly poured terrazzo flooring, and installation of new lighting.
Additional improvements including refinishing the wood paneling and new terrazzo tile on the second floor, upgrading of all six elevators, replacing the fire alarm system, upgrading and installing HVAC units for the new spaces and new public restrooms, including two all gender bathrooms. In addition, the plaza was outfitted with new limestone and lighting.
The Central Library renovation project has been supported with funding from Mayor Bill de Blasio, Borough President Eric Adams, the New York State Assembly, The New York City Regional Economic Development Council, Empire State Development New York City, New York State Department of Education, New York City Council Brooklyn Delegation and Susan and David Marcinek. Additional funding for the Central Library renovation project provided by Jay L. and Robin K. Lewis, Miriam Katowitz, Brian O’Neil and The Estate of Doris M. Ohlsen.
The second phase
In the second phase of the renovation, beginning in 2022, the library will update the collection wings, create a new teen center and provide for an expanded and modernized adult learning and literacy center. Additional upgrades will be made to the building’s infrastructure.
Later phases
Later unfunded phases are expected to include the following:
Dramatically increasing public space by creating a direct connection to the basement floor from the Grand Lobby. A majority of the basement will act as a flexible experience space, and create improved access to the Dweck Center, providing more space for patrons and the public.
Re-envisioning the way that residents and visitors experience the green space in Central Brooklyn: library leadership hopes to one day open the library to the surrounding community by creating a rooftop garden for community gardens and environmental education, and activities like Children’s Story Hour -- and connect the library to Mount Prospect Park, creating a single green campus for Central Brooklyn.
The Library has engaged thousands of community members and library users in planning for the first phase. BPL will continue to seek public input on the long-term plans for the building.
Throughout the pandemic, BPL has been able to support Brooklynites. At the beginning of the pandemic, the library pivoted to virtual engagement in a matter of days and released a massive array of digital resources for New Yorkers in their time of need. Since March 2020, over a million people have tuned in to BPL’s online programs, all free of charge—including multi-lingual story times, Know Your Rights workshops, Cookmobile Online, Summer Camp at Home, performances and lectures in partnership with The Public Theater and conversations with award-winning authors including Kurt Anderson, Zadie Smith and Jill Lepore. The library also created Library On Call—stories and poems by phone —for the many Brooklynites without a secure internet connection.
As BPL re-opens, patrons will be asked to observe all COVID-safety protocols, including mask-wearing and social-distancing.
Local elected officials and advocate praised the library’s expansion:
Throughout history, public libraries have had the power to transform the future of so many,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “The Central Library has served as a place of endless opportunity for New Yorkers both young and old, and now, countless more will be able to reap the benefits of this enhanced community space. Creating the ultimate library that enriched all our communities was Congressman Owens’ ultimate goal, and this new welcome center is befitting of his legacy and tireless work to support libraries and increase access to education. I thank the Brooklyn Public Library for its commitment to this project and I urge all New Yorkers to take advantage of this beautiful new resource.”
"Brooklyn Public Library's Central Branch is one of the crown jewels of our City's system of incredible neighborhood libraries. I am proud to fight for our Libraries and am excited to see these beautiful new spaces serve as civic centers, spaces for learning, and community resources for the borough of Brooklyn. As we emerge from the pandemic, as a City, we must rededicate ourselves to making real investments in our public libraries, whose resources will be more important than ever for immigrants, job seekers, and all users who wish to use our City's libraries," said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, chair of the Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations Committee.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, “More than ever, as we recover from the COVID-19 crisis, it is essential to have the right tools to build or update your resume, learn new job skills, or even start a new business. The Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library Business and Career Center will be a critical resource for both job seekers and entrepreneurs alike and will provide the means for many residents of the community to get the jump start they need to help themselves while moving New York State's economy forward.”
“Gilbane is deeply proud to have contributed to the revitalization of this landmark community asset,” said Grant W. Gagnier, Jr., Senior Vice President & New York City Business Unit Leader. “The first phase of the Central Library restoration had strong diverse business participation, exceeding the project’s goals for minority and women-owned businesses. We’re grateful to have partnered with Toshiko Mori in delivering this vital and improved educational resource to the public.”
This renovation and expansion is part of the largest spate of library redevelopment since the Carnegie era. Brooklyn Public Library has invested in narrowing a capital needs gap and updating aging infrastructure system-wide. The result of that work is that over a third of the community libraries in the BPL system are either in process of or slated for necessary revitalizing capital improvements—in addition to the Central Branch, additional libraries expected to open in 2021 and 2022 include Rugby, Adams Street, Brooklyn Heights, Brower Park, East Flatbush and Sunset Park Libraries. BPL is bringing its physical branch libraries into the 21st century, with not only working elevators and modern HVAC systems, but modern technology, updated infrastructure and flexible public spaces that Brooklynites can be proud of.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.