Brooklyn Public Library’s New Utrecht branch has been honored for its service to patrons with an NYC Neighborhood Library Award. The awards were presented at a ceremony last night and each winning branch received $20,000, the largest cash prize awarded directly to branch libraries in the nation.
Library patrons submitted a record 24,000 nominations for this year’s awards. In nominating New Utrecht, a patron praised the Library for being a “welcoming space for cultural exchanges” and for bringing “our diversified community together as one.”
New Utrecht Library offers a wide range of programs from summer meals to ESOL classes. Last year, almost 15,000 people attended programs at the branch.
“Like each of our branches, New Utrecht Library is an integral part of the neighborhood it serves,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda Johnson. “The staff and volunteers engage every part of their community, with programs that range from Kids Create and Story Play for our youngest readers, to Creative Aging choral workshops and Library Lanes Xbox bowling for older adults. We are grateful to them for the work they do every day, and thrilled they have earned such an honor.”
The branch joins previous winners: Macon, Sunset Park, Sheepshead Bay and New Lots Libraries.
The award is presented by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and Charles H. Revson Foundation, in association with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show. It honors libraries for being “irreplaceable pillars of their communities, offering a welcoming and safe environment, and free programs and services – all while on a tight budget.”
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.bklynpubliclibrary.org.