Expansion made possible by support from NYC Council Members David Greenfield and Brad Lander, grant from the David Berg Foundation
Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library will introduce Sunday hours at its Midwood and Borough Park branches with support from Council Members David Greenfield and Brad Lander, the Library announced today.
The council members advocated for Sunday service before and during the city’s budget process and allocated discretionary expense funding to support the additional hours. Council Member Greenfield provided $25,000 for Sunday hours at Midwood, while Council Member Lander provided $25,000 for Borough Park.
“The Borough Park Library is one of the busiest in Brooklyn, in the heart of one of the great Jewish neighborhoods in the world. Like all New Yorkers, Borough Park residents deserve six-day access to the books, computers, community programs, and treasured spaces of their local library. And in Borough Park—where so many members of the Jewish community observe Shabbat on Saturday—that sixth day needs to be on Sunday,” said Council Member Lander. “So I am thrilled to work with Brooklyn Public Library and the David Berg Foundation to bring Sunday hours to Borough Park, add evening hours throughout the week and further enhance access and programming for all the residents of this great community.
"I also want to express deep gratitude to the team at the Brooklyn Public Library for working with the NYC Office of Emergency Management to quickly open the Borough Park branch as the Resident Support Center for families affected by the tragic explosion and building collapse on 13th Avenue. Families have received services, comfort, access to resources and information in a time of tragedy. Once again, our neighborhood libraries show how truly essential they are."
“I am thrilled that after years of advocacy, four libraries in Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst will now be open on Sundays so that children, families and adults can enjoy weekend access,” said Council Member Greenfield. “This expanded service is especially important to Orthodox Jewish families, who cannot take advantage of Saturday library hours. For the past five years, I have made investing in libraries a top priority by allocating significant funding for programming, books, capital upgrades and now hours to our neighborhood libraries. These extended hours will give library patrons in Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst the opportunity to fully explore the multitude of outstanding free resources our neighborhood libraries have to offer. My thanks to the Brooklyn Public Library, the Berg Foundation and my colleague Councilman Brad Lander for joining together with me to finally meet the need for Sunday hours.”
The introduction of Sunday hours at Borough Park and Midwood is also made possible by a $100,000 grant from the David Berg Foundation, which is funding the Library’s expansion of programs and services for Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish community. In addition to the Sunday hours at Borough Park and Midwood, the Berg Foundation’s partnership with BPL will help the Library host more Jewish cultural programs and acquire more materials.
“As patrons throughout the borough continue to access library services in record numbers, it is essential that our branches operate on schedules that meet the needs of the neighborhoods they serve,” said BPL President & CEO Linda E. Johnson. “Brooklyn Public Library is proud to be able to offer Sunday service at Borough Park and Midwood with help from our generous partners in city government and in the community.”
As a result of the New York City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s increased investment in libraries in the city’s FY 2016 budget, BPL will also be adding Sunday hours at Macon, Mapleton, New Lots and Ryder libraries and offering at least six days of service at every branch.
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About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.