The elegant Central Library, the crown jewel of the Brooklyn Public Library system, was built to resemble an open book and has pride of place in the borough's cultural center—for good reason. The landmarked building is considered one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture, and it's home to the fifth largest public library network in the country. Families flock to the Brooklyn Public Library for its WiFi-equipped front plaza (renovated when the Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture was built, from 2005 to 2007), which hosts festivals in the warmer months, and make use of its spacious children's room—for everything from toddler storytimes and tween art programs to great children's books (including a super foreign language storybook collection) and art exhibits—year-round. Plus, with nearby attractions like the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the expansive Prospect Park in close promixity, a visit to the library can easily turn into a fun-packed day trip for the whole family.
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How to get a Brooklyn Public Library library card
It's easy and free to get a library card to the Brooklyn Public Library, which will give you access to the entire borough's library system—even if you don't live in Brooklyn. New York State residents ages 13 and up can apply for a card online and choose to either pick it up at a branch library or have it mailed to them. Kids of all ages, and out-of-state residents, may apply for a library card in person at any of the 60 Brooklyn Public Library locations as long as they have a state or school ID. Seewww.bklynpubliclibrary.org/borrowing-materials for details.
How to support the Brooklyn Public Library
If your family would like to help support the Brooklyn Public Library, which provides vital resources and programs to neighborhoods throughout the borough, go to www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/support. If you'd like your donation to support Hurricane Sandy library recovery efforts, use the Direct My Donation drop-down menu.
