Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is pleased to welcome the newest enrollment center for IDNYC to the New Lots Branch. New York City’s official government-issued identification card is available to all City residents age 14 and older, regardless of immigration status.
The IDNYC card is a form of identification for New Yorkers to engage with City agencies, services and programs. It can also be used as a library card at Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library and Queens Public Library. In addition, cardholders are able to access a wide array of benefits including free one-year memberships to museums and other cultural institutions, and discounts for sporting events, fitness and health centers, and many local businesses.
“Brooklyn Public Library provides access to essential resources for everyone in the borough,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “Not only do IDNYC cards enable New Yorkers to access City services and buildings, they serve as library cards, which means access to our collection of more than four million materials and hundreds of programs every year. We are thrilled New Lots Library will serve as another IDNYC registration center.”
“What truly makes IDNYC the key to the city are our partnerships across the five boroughs, said Bitta Mostofi, Acting Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “Stronger integrations with Brooklyn Public Library, introducing our second permanent enrollment center at the New Lots Branch, and new local benefit partners like Aviator Sports and Events Center make IDNYC and NYC more accessible for Brooklynites.”
The New Lots Branch is the second permanent IDNYC enrollment center for Brooklyn Public Library. An enrollment center opened in Central Library in 2015. Over time, more than 4,300 IDNYC cards have been activated at BPL, allowing users to check out materials, access online courses and materials, borrow devices, reserve meeting rooms, and use computers.
The Outreach Services Department at BPL offers a wide range of services to veterans, older adults, and people transitioning into and out of correctional systems and shelters. BPL works with Brooklyn’s newest immigrants, offering English and citizenship classes. In other words, we serve many in the population who need photo identification and are least likely to have it.
Applicants must complete a form and submit it at an enrollment center. Applicants are also required to present proof of identity and residency in New York City; many types of documents are accepted. To learn more about how to apply and a full list of enrollment centers, visit nyc.gov/IDNYC or call 311.
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: http://www.bklynlibrary.org/.