Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch

February 01, 1941 - present

The heart of the Brooklyn library system, ground was broken in 1912 for the Central Library as funding from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie catalyzed rapid library branch construction throughout the borough. Initially conceived as an elaborate Beaux-Arts complex by architect Raymond F. Almirall, the Brooklyn Central’s construction suffered numerous setbacks as the city navigated economic difficulties during World War I and The Great Depression. As the city's economy recovered in the mid 1930s, architects Githens and Keally were commissioned in 1935 to design the open book-style Art Deco building that stands today. Construction finished in 1941 and the library immediately set to work creating and implementing many programming features now common in American public libraries today, such as subsections exclusively dedicated to children’s books and programs. Brooklyn Central remains a vibrant fixture of the borough today, patronized by over 1.3 million visitors and circulating more than 1.7 million materials annually. In addition to its many physical and electronic resources, Central acts as a community hub for numerous services, including tutoring and support for students, job and career preparation and counseling for adults, educational lecture series, visual and musical arts programming, and professional development and networking opportunities.

Front facade of the Brooklyn Central Library
View Gallery

Details

Category
Library
Audience
All Ages
Founder(s)
Raymond Almirall (Original architect); Githens and Keally (final architects)
Tags
GreatDepression, RaymondF.Almirall, BeauxArts, ArtDeco, MountProspectPark, GithensAndKeally, BrooklynParkCommission, AndrewCarnegie

Location

  • 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
    ? - ?

References

  1. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/central/history
  2. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/use-the-library/borrow
  3. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2014/02/25/brooklyns-carnegie
  4. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/central
  5. https://bookpatrol.net/the-great-art-deco-designed-brooklyn-central-library-in-vintage-photos/