Central Library (Brooklyn Public Library) facts for kids
The Central Library is the main building of the Brooklyn Public Library. You can find it in Brooklyn, New York City, at Grand Army Plaza. It's located where Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway meet.
This huge library holds over a million books, magazines, and other materials. More than one million people visit it every year! The building is also a special New York City landmark.
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Brooklyn Public Library–Central Building
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Seen in July 2019
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| Location | Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, New York City |
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| Area | 2.8 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1911-1940 |
| Architect | Raymond F. Almirall (1911); Alfred Morton Githens and Francis Keally (1935) |
| Sculptor | Thomas Hudson Jones and C. Paul Jennewein (bronze gateway) |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts and Art Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 01001446 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 11, 2002 |
Contents
What's Inside the Central Library?
The Central Library building is very large, covering about 352,000 square feet. It has many cool features for visitors.
S. Stevan Dweck Center
The S. Stevan Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture is a special auditorium. It has 189 seats. This center opened in 2007. It hosts many different events. You can attend lectures, readings, and musical shows here. These events are for people of all ages.
Outdoor Plaza
The library's outdoor plaza was updated when the Dweck Center was built. It's a popular spot in the summer. You can enjoy concerts there. It's also a great place to get free wireless internet access.
Information Commons
The Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons opened in 2013. This area is perfect for working alone. It also hosts public classes. Sometimes, private events and meetings happen here too.
The Brooklyn Collection
If you love history, check out The Brooklyn Collection. This part of the library focuses on local history. It has over a million items. You can find old photographs and maps. There are also original writings. You might even see items from the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team!
History of the Central Library Building
The idea for a main Brooklyn library at Grand Army Plaza began in 1912.
Original Design and Delays
The first architect was Raymond F. Almirall. He designed a grand, four-story building. It was in the Beaux-Arts style. This style was similar to the nearby Brooklyn Museum. However, building the library was slow. Costs went up, and there were disagreements. Construction slowed down during World War I. It also faced problems during the Great Depression. Because of these issues, Almirall's full design was never finished. Only the Flatbush Avenue side was completed by 1929.
Redesign and Opening
In the 1930s, new architects were hired. Their names were Githens and Keally. They redesigned the building in the Art Deco style. This new plan removed expensive decorations. It also got rid of the fourth floor. Construction started again in 1938. Most of Almirall's earlier work was taken down. However, some parts of the original design can still be seen. You can spot them along the library's parking lot.
The Central Library was finished in late 1940. It officially opened to the public on February 1, 1941. People loved the new building. It received great praise at the time.
Expansion and Recognition
The second floor of the library opened in 1955. This nearly doubled the space for visitors. Today, the building is over 350,000 square feet. It has about 300 full-time staff members. It also serves as the main office for the entire Brooklyn Public Library system. Before 1941, the library's offices were in a different building.
The Central Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This list recognizes important historical places.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca Central (Brooklyn) para niños
