Brooklyn Public Library, Bay Ridge Branch

c. June 1888 - present

The Bay Ridge Free Library was organized in 1888 by women of the Ladies Reading Club, who established a reading room in the Bay Ridge Atheneum. For the first eight years of its existence, the library was managed entirely by women, who oversaw efforts to fundraise and expand the library's collection. During this period, the library is notable for having introduced the telegraph and the telephone to the Bay Ridge community. The library was incorporated in 1893. In 1896, nine trustees were appointed, who began efforts in earnest to construct a standalone library building. The cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1896, marking the beginning of construction. The original building opened in 1901, when it was also formally incorporated into the Brooklyn Public Library system. The library was two stories tall, containing book stacks and a reading room on the first floor and a historical collection and janitor's quarters on the second floor. By 1899 the library contained 5,862 books and 50 magazines, with a circulation list of 22,741. In the 1963, the Bay Ridge Library was replaced with a new building on the same site. This is the current building that houses the Bay Ridge branch of the Brooklyn Public Library today.

"Five boys sitting reading at table and three other patrons in reading room of Bay Ridge Branch of Brooklyn Public Library, Ridge Boulevard between 73rd and 74th Streets; furnishings include two gas chandeliers."
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Details

Category
Library
Audience
All Ages
Corporate Body
Brooklyn Public Library
Tags
ProgressiveEra

Location

  • 203 73rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209
    ? - ?

References

  1. "Bay Ride Library Cornerstone" New York Times, 5 Jul. 1896. http://ezproxy.cul.columbia.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/bay-ridge-library-cornerstone/docview/95366515/se-2
  2. "The Story of a Library." Times Union, 15 July 1899. Brooklyn Newsstand. https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/542841921/?match=1&terms=%22bay%20ridge%20atheneum%22
  3. "Civic Pride: New Library." Brooklyn Eagle, 16 May 1963. Brooklyn Newsstand. https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/543860205/?match=1&terms=%22bay%20ridge%20library%22
  4. Bay Ridge Library: Branch History, bklynlibrary.org. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/bay-ridge/history