Oct 14, 2015 2 min read

City Council Funds Extended Hours Of Service For All Brooklyn Libraries

Councilman Mark Treyger announces extended hours at Coney Island Library (Courtesy of Councilman Treyger's Office) — Councilman Mark Treyger announces extended hours at Coney Island Library (Courtesy of Councilman Treyger’s Office)

Following the lead of Councilman David Greenfield and Councilman Brad Lander — who successfully pushed for funding of Sunday hours at four Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) branches to accommodate Brooklyn’s Sabbath-observant Orthodox Jewish community — City Council and the Mayor have allocated $12 million in this year’s fiscal budget for extended hours and six-day service at branches across the borough, BPL officials announced last week.

With the introduction of universal six-day service, 22 branches will be open for an extra day — including six that are adding Sunday service — starting October 19. Nineteen BPL branches will expand their service from five to six days a week, and Macon, Mapleton and New Lots libraries will join Kings Highway and Central in offering seven-day service.

“Parents across our city know libraries can help develop their child’s lifelong love of reading — and New Yorkers in every neighborhood know the importance of having a local library where they can borrow books, take classes, and bring their families. That’s why our administration is investing big, with the largest increases in both operating and capital funding for libraries in our city’s history – including millions to ensure extended hours,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

In total, BPL will provide an additional 218 hours of public service per week throughout the system, with average branch hours of operation increasing from 45 per week to 49, said library officials. Every branch will now be open at least 48 hours per week.

Councilman Mark Treyger, who co-chair’s City Council’s Brooklyn delegation, commended his fellow Council members for helping to implement the extended hours at an event at Coney Island Library last week.

“Reading is the pathway to knowledge,” said Treyger. “The more our libraries are open, the more every resident has the chance to get on that path. As a former educator, I know firsthand how increasing literacy translates into greater social, political, and economic power. Libraries are precious extensions of our classrooms.”

The expansion impacts three libraries in Treyger’s district — Coney Island Library, Gravesend Library, and Ulmer Park Library. The Coney Island branch will now be open on Mondays as a result of the expanded service, while Saturdays will be added to the Gravesend branch’s schedule. The Ulmer Park branch, which already featured six-day service, will offer additional evening hours.