City Council Funds Extended Hours Of Service For All Brooklyn Libraries

The City Council and the Mayor Bill de Blasio have allocated $12 million in this year’s fiscal budget for extended hours and six-day service at branches across the borough, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) officials announced. The extended hours began Monday, October 19.

The hours at the Park Slope Branch have increased to 48 hours per week, but will still be closed on Sundays.

With the introduction of universal six-day service, 22 branches will now be open for an extra day — including six that are adding Sunday service. Nineteen BPL branches have expanded 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.

The news comes soon after an announcement of the new online room reservation program at the Park Slope Branch for a wifi-enabled private meeting room.