Learn About The Kensington Branch From Librarian Sarah Tilevitz

The Kensington Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (4207 18th Ave) recently re-opened as the most eco-friendly library in the city. Its librarians are also friendly.

We asked Sarah Tilevitz, Children’s Librarian, about working in the new building and recommending books to patrons.

KBK: You work in a new, environmentally friendly building. What’s that like?
Sarah: Patrons rave about the open space and wonderful natural lighting. The children’s floor includes child-size seats and tables right next to the board books and Easy Readers, plus a Storytime Room for programs for the younger set and eight computers for use by children. Adults have eight computers, and young adults now have their own public computers (also eight). We are also ADA-compliant, with an elevator and bathrooms on all floors.

What are the popular books in Kensington?
As a J (juvenile) librarian, I’m best equipped to answer about children’s books: For the younger set, Curious George and Dr. Seuss are always favorites, as are Mo Willems‘ Pigeon books, and Jane O’Connor’s Fancy Nancy series.

For grades 1-3,

by Claudia Mills,

by Joan Carris, and

by Jessica Harper.

For older readers (the children’s floor goes up to 6th grade), Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid series is still very popular, as is Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series and the 39 Clues series. What’s especially nice about 39 Clues is that volumes are written by different authors, so readers are exposed to a selection of writing styles.

What books do you recommend to patrons?
Well, first we try to find out about a patron’s interests and reading level. Right now it’s spring, and baseball fever is in the air. In addition to Dan Gutman’s Baseball Card Adventures which combine time travel and sports heroes, Loren Long and Phil Bildner Sluggers series and Mike Lupica‘s Heat, Safe At Home, and Bat Boy, we have some other baseball treasures that young (and old) readers may not have discovered yet:

Chief Sunrise, John McGraw, and Me by Timothy Tocher
Lucky: Maris, Mantle, and My Best Summer Ever by Wes Tooke
My Thirteenth Season by Kristi Roberts

Can you talk about some of the events held at the Kensington Branch?
We have a couple of special young adult and adult book programs coming up during the spring and summer:

On Saturday, May 18 at 3pm, Kensington Library will be hosting an author visit by Lurlene McDaniel. Ms. McDaniel has written many inspirational young adult novels about teenagers facing life-altering situations. Her bestselling novels include Don’t Die, My Love; Till Death Do Us Part; Hit and Run; Telling Christina Goodbye; True Love: Three Novels; and The End of Forever.

On July 18 at 1:15pm, we’ll be having a book discussion of Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

Also, here are our currently regularly scheduled programs:

English Conversation, 6pm on Tuesdays; Computer Basics, 11am on Wednesdays; U.S. Citizenship Exam Preparation, 6pm on Thursdays and Knitting Club, 5:30pm on every third Thursday.

Game on! (Chess or Videogames), 4pm on Wednesdays and Writers’ Workshop, 4pm on Fridays.

First Five Years Storytime & Play, 10am on Mondays; Babies & Books (0-18 months), 11am on Mondays; Homework Help, 3-6pm on Monday, 4-6pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

ConEdison recently awarded Kensington a generous grant for a series of Con Edison: The Power of Green programs which we will be rolling out over the spring, summer and fall. We’re looking forward to our next program, Help Make a Greener Brooklyn While Saving Money, on May 23, at 1:30pm. For more upcoming programs for adults and children, please check back in the coming weeks at the Kensington branch or on our online calendar.

Where does the staff send patrons to eat after they’ve checked out their books?
Because of the location (it’s right under the F train), Twin Towers Bagel Express (975 McDonald Avenue) is kind of a hidden gem. Staff especially recommend their chicken tacos (they have big slices of avocado) at $2.50 each.

Be sure to check out the Kensington Branch with its natural lighting and knowledgeable librarians!