Brooklyn Public Library

In 1852, several prominent citizens established the "Brooklyn Athenaeum and Reading Room" for the instruction of young men. It was as was the practice in those times, a private, subscription library for members, who were recruited and encouraged by the rising mercantile and business class of young men, to continue by constant reading whatever formal education they had received through a university, college, high school/private academy, or trade school. Its collections focused on the liberal arts and the humanities such as biography, economics, history, literature, philosophy, and other applications later labeled social studies.

Five years later, in 1857, another group of young men, along with businessmen, manufacturers, and merchants, founded the "Brooklyn Mercantile Library Association of the City of Brooklyn", with holdings more pronounced in the business, commercial, economics, mathematical, scientific, and technical fields. The Librarian-in-Charge was Stephen Buttrick Noyes, who later went to the Library of Congress in 1866 but returned to Brooklyn three years later, in 1869. This collection and the previous one were merged in 1869 and later moved to a headquarters building on Montague Street. In 1878, the Library Associations were renamed the "Brooklyn Public Library". Stephen Buttrick Noyes commenced developing an extensive catalog for the collections which he completed in 1888.

The first free public library in Brooklyn was that of Pratt Institute, a collegiate institute founded by Charles Pratt in 1888. Available not only for its own students and faculty, the library was also open to the general public at that early time.

File:Brooklyn Public Library LOC gsc.5a06136.jpg

The Brooklyn Public Library system was approved by an Act of Legislature of the State of New York on May 3, 1892.{{cite book |author=New York Library Club |last2=Cole |first2=G.W. |last3=Nelson |first3=C.A. |last4=Bostwick |first4=A.E. |title=Libraries of Greater New York: Manual and Historical Sketch of the New York Library Club |year=1902 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=61kZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA15 |page=15 |access-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624174836/https://books.google.com/books?id=61kZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA15 |url-status=live }} The Brooklyn Common Council then passed a resolution for the establishment of the Brooklyn Public Library on November 30, 1896, with Marie E. Craigie as the first director. The library was re-incorporated in 1902.[https://books.google.com/books?id=Z3NZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1760 Chapter 606], Laws of 1902.

The first main branch ("central library") moved among various buildings, including a former mansion at 26 Brevoort Place.{{cite news |url=http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/03/building-of-the-day-496-franklin-avenue/ |title=Building of the Day |website=Brownstoner |access-date=April 29, 2012 |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513194857/http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/03/building-of-the-day-496-franklin-avenue/? |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0A17F63F5911738DDDAC0994DA415B808CF1D3 |title=Brooklyn's Municipal Library System |work=The New York Times |date=December 15, 1900 |access-date=February 6, 2017 |archive-date=May 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525200141/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0A17F63F5911738DDDAC0994DA415B808CF1D3 |url-status=live }} In 1901, the businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $1.6 million,{{cite web |title=The History Of Brooklyn Libraries, Carnegie and Cardboard Models |website=Bklyner |date=January 3, 2019 |url=https://bklyner.com/the-history-of-brooklyn-libraries-carnegie-and-cardboard-models/ |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725075217/https://bklyner.com/private/?r=%2Fthe-history-of-brooklyn-libraries-carnegie-and-cardboard-models%2F |url-status=live }} which helped fund the development and construction of 21 Carnegie neighborhood library branches through 1923.{{cite web |last=Musumeci |first=Natalie |title=Plan to sell aged library a battle over Andrew Carnegie's vision |website=Brooklyn Paper |date=March 27, 2013 |url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/plan-to-sell-aged-library-a-battle-over-andrew-carnegies-vision/ |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320223814/https://www.brooklynpaper.com/plan-to-sell-aged-library-a-battle-over-andrew-carnegies-vision/ |url-status=live }}

In 2020, Brooklyn Public Library made an agreement to merge its archives and special collections division, the Brooklyn Collection, with the Brooklyn Historical Society.{{Cite news |last=Schuessler |first=Jennifer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/arts/brooklyn-public-library-brooklyn-historical-society.html |title=Brooklyn Public Library and Brooklyn Historical Society to Merge |date=February 27, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 28, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225075739/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/arts/brooklyn-public-library-brooklyn-historical-society.html |url-status=live }} The new entity is called the Center for Brooklyn History.{{Cite web |title=Announcing the new Center for Brooklyn History |url=https://www.brooklynhistory.org/about/center-for-brooklyn-history |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=Center for Brooklyn History |language=en-US |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029172639/https://www.brooklynhistory.org/about/center-for-brooklyn-history/ |url-status=live }}
{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Brooklyn Public Library Announces Launch of Center for Brooklyn History |url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/media/press/brooklyn-public-library-69 |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=www.bklynlibrary.org |language=en-us |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010042156/https://www.bklynlibrary.org/media/press/brooklyn-public-library-69 |url-status=live }}

{{see also|List of Brooklyn Public Library branches}}

File:Brooklyn Public Library.jpg in October 2005, during construction of a new entrance plaza and underground auditorium]]

There are 61 neighborhood branches throughout the borough, of which many are Carnegie libraries. The library has four bookmobiles, including the Kidsmobile, which carries children's materials, and the Bibliobús, which carries a Spanish language collection.{{Cite web |url=http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/bookmobile.jsp |title=Brooklyn Public Library | Only at BPL |access-date=April 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703085129/http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/bookmobile.jsp |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Central Library (Brooklyn Public Library)}}

Located at Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway on Grand Army Plaza near the Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Flatbush, and Park Slope neighborhoods, Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library contains over a million cataloged books, magazines, and multimedia materials.

The Brooklyn Collection holds the manuscripts and archives for the Brooklyn Public Library and is located at the Central Branch.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/brooklyncollection/about |title=About Brooklyn Collection |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524113427/http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/brooklyncollection/about |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |url-status=dead }} The Brooklyn Collection holds over a million individual items including Brooklyn Dodgers memorabilia, a collection for the Brooklyn Eagle, which Walt Whitman edited, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other ephemeral items.

The Bookmobile is a {{convert|32|ft|m|adj=on}}-long, {{convert|11.5|ft|m|adj=on}}-high vehicle housing a mobile library. Carrying up to 6,000 books, the Bookmobile serves communities whose local branches are closed for renovation. The Bookmobile offers many of the services available at other branches.

The Kidsmobile is a smaller, more colorful version of the Bookmobile. During the school year, the Kidsmobile visits schools, day care centers, Head Start, after-school programs and community events. In the summer, the Kidsmobile also travels to parks and camps. In addition to books, the Kidsmobile offers storytelling and arts and crafts.

The Bibliobús is a mobile Spanish-language library. It brings books and other media to Spanish-speaking communities in Brooklyn. The Bibliobús serves sites such as schools, daycares, community-based organizations, senior centers, nonprofit organizations, and community events.{{Cite web |url=http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/bibliobus/ |title=Brooklyn Public Library | Only at BPL |access-date=April 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404194815/http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/bibliobus/ |archive-date=April 4, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

The [http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/locations/central/infocommons Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons] opened at Central Library on January 15, 2013. It features an open workspace with 25 computers and seating and outlets for more than 70 laptop users; 7 meeting rooms, including one that doubles as a recording studio; and a 36-seat training lab.{{cite web |title=Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons |url=http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/locations/central/infocommons |publisher=Brooklyn Public Library |access-date=February 13, 2013 |archive-date=February 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214032206/http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/locations/central/infocommons |url-status=live }}

The library's [https://web.archive.org/web/20170202040115/http://www.bklynlibrary.org/only-bpl/learning-bpl Learning Centers] provide adult literacy and adult education services for free.{{Cite web |url=http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2014/9/8/brooklyn-public-library-expand-hours |title=Brooklyn Public Library to expand hours of service across borough |work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |date=September 8, 2014 |access-date=January 27, 2017 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2014/9/8/brooklyn-public-library-expand-hours |title=Adult Literacy {{!}} Brooklyn Public Library |website=www.bklynlibrary.org |date=September 8, 2014 |language=en |access-date=January 27, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202031655/http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2014/9/8/brooklyn-public-library-expand-hours |url-status=live }}

Every Brooklyn Public Library branch is equipped with a "New Americans Corner" that provides information on immigration, citizenship and other materials.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/learn/immigrants/citizenship|title=Citizenship | Brooklyn Public Library|website=www.bklynlibrary.org}}

{{See also|Book banning in the United States (2021–present)}}

On July 15, 2022, Brooklyn Public Library introduced the Books Unbanned initiative which waived the $50 fee for out-of-state library cards for people in the United States between the ages of 13 and 21. The program allows teens and young adults to access ebooks and audiobooks for free.{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2017 |title=Borrowing |url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/use-the-library/borrow |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=www.bklynlibrary.org |language=en-us |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623170451/https://www.bklynlibrary.org/use-the-library/borrow |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2022 |title=Brooklyn Library Offers Access to Banned eBooks to Teens Across the U.S. |url=https://bookriot.com/unbanned-books/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426014022/https://bookriot.com/unbanned-books/ |url-status=live }} A spokesperson said that the Brooklyn Public Library intended to counteract the "increasingly coordinated and effective effort to remove books tackling a wide range of topics from library shelves."{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Books Unbanned |url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned |access-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823153600/https://www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned |url-status=live }} The library cited the American Library Association's Freedom to Read Statement as a driving force behind the decision, noting the "729 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2021, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals."{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2006 |title=The Freedom to Read Statement |url=https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement |access-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425224534/https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement |url-status=live }}

Brooklyn Public Library's governing board is the board of trustees, consisting of 38 members, all serving in non-salaried positions. The Mayor and the Brooklyn Borough President each appoint eleven of the trustees. These appointed trustees elect twelve additional board members to serve.{{Cite web |url=http://citylimits.org/2014/06/18/new-scrutiny-of-citys-library-trustees/ |title=New scrutiny of city's library trustees |last=Travers |first=S. |website=City Limits |date=June 18, 2014 |access-date=November 15, 2016 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725075222/https://citylimits.org/2014/06/18/new-scrutiny-of-citys-library-trustees/ |url-status=live }} The mayor, New York City Comptroller, Speaker of the City Council and Brooklyn Borough President are ex officio members of the board. All non-ex officio members of the board serve three-year terms.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/board_of_trustees.jsp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611223303/http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/board_of_trustees.jsp|url-status=dead|title=Board of Trustees|archivedate=June 11, 2011}}

Linda E. Johnson was named president and CEO on August 16, 2011, after having served as the institution's interim executive director since July 1, 2010. She replaced Dionne Mack-Harvin, who served as executive director from March 2007. Mack-Harvin was the first African American woman to lead a major public library system in New York state.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/execdirbio.jsp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611223313/http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/execdirbio.jsp|url-status=dead|title=Our Executive Director|archivedate=June 11, 2011}}"[http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6721715.html Brooklyn PL Director Mack-Harvin Resigns After Three Years; Interim Director to be Named; Board Meeting Tonight] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307235248/http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6721715.html |date=2010-03-07 }}", by Norman Oder, Library Journal, March 4, 2010. Previously, Ginnie Cooper had been the executive director of the Brooklyn Public Library since January 2003. Other notable executive directors include Kenneth Duchac, who ran the system from 1970 until his retirement in 1986.

{{incomplete list|date=May 2012}}

• Mary E. Craigie {{cite news |title=Made Managing Director |work=Brooklyn Eagle |date=January 30, 1898 |page=10 |access-date=December 14, 2010 |url=http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Skins/BEagle/Client.asp?Skin=BEagle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701073322/http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Skins/BEagle/Client.asp?Skin=BEagle |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2010 }}
• Arthur E. Bostwick (1899–1901) {{cite news |title=New Librarian's Career |work=Brooklyn Eagle |date=March 12, 1899 |page=7 |access-date=December 14, 2010 |url=http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Skins/BEagle/Client.asp?Skin=BEagle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701073322/http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Skins/BEagle/Client.asp?Skin=BEagle |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2010 }}
• Frank Pierce Hill (1901–1930) {{cite news |title=Frank P. Hill Will Take Position of Librarian |work=Brooklyn Eagle |date=March 26, 1901 |page=2 |access-date=April 19, 2022 |url=https://bplonsite.newspapers.com/image/50398311/ }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Milton J. Ferguson (1930–1949){{cite news |title=NAME BROOKLYN LIBRARIAN :Trustees Elect M.J. Ferguson of California to Succeed, Dr. Hill.. |work=The New York Times |date=April 30, 1930 |via=ProQuest }}
• Francis R. St. John (1949–1963){{cite news |title=BROOKLYN LIBRARY INDUCTS NEW CHIEF :Francis R. St. John Becomes Its Fifth Director -- Staff's Pay Discussed by Mayor |work=The New York Times |date=May 25, 1949 |via=ProQuest }}
• John Ames Humphry (1964–?)
• John C Frantz (?)
• Kenneth Farnham Duchac (1970–1986)
• Larry Brandwein (1987–1994)
• Martin Gomez (1995–2002)
• Ginnie Cooper (2003–2007)
• Dionne Mack-Harvin (2007–2010)
• Linda E. Johnson (2011–present)

{{See also|Education in New York City}}

The Brooklyn Public Library is one of three separate and independent public library systems in New York City. The other two are the New York Public Library (NYPL), serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and the Queens Public Library, serving Queens. The Brooklyn and Queens Public Library cards can be accepted by the NYPL, once they are linked to the NYPL system at any NYPL branch.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nypl.org/help/getting-oriented/brooklyn-queens-libraries |title=Brooklyn and Queens Libraries |access-date=September 2, 2013 |archive-date=September 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917230841/http://www.nypl.org/help/getting-oriented/brooklyn-queens-libraries |url-status=live }}

{{Portal|New York City}}

• Brooklyn Visual Heritage

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Brooklyn Public Library}}

• {{official website |http://www.bklynlibrary.org/}}
• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/|title=Brooklyn Public Library}} ([https://web.archive.org/*/http://m.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/ Mobile])
• {{cite archive |collection-url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com |collection=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |institution=Brooklyn Public Library |location=Online}}
• {{cite web |url=http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/23063 |title=Brooklyn Daily Eagle Online (1841–1902) |publisher=National History Education Clearinghouse (NHEC) |work=Website review}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/civilwar/ |title=Brooklyn in the Civil War |publisher=BPL}}
• {{cite web |url=http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/22740 |publisher=NHEC |work=Website review |title=Brooklyn in the Civil War}}
• [https://www.wnyc.org/story/folk-songs-seven-million Brooklyn Public Library's Folksongs for the Seven Million radio program]

{{Education in Brooklyn}}

{{Libraries in New York City}}

{{New York City}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1896 establishments in New York City

Category:Carnegie libraries in New York City

Category:County library systems in New York (state)

Category:Education in Brooklyn

Category:Federal depository libraries

Category:Libraries established in 1896

Category:Libraries in Brooklyn

Category:Public libraries in New York City