Sign Of The Times: Modern Signage For Brooklyn’s Landmarked Libraries

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved plans Tuesday to install electronic informational signs outside seven landmarked Brooklyn libraries.

The Brooklyn Public Library commissioned the design firm LVCK LLC to create a proposal for exterior electronic signs for the seven historic buildings, five whose construction was funded by Andrew Carnegie, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports.

Banners identifying each branch will also be installed, helping visitors to easily locate their local libraries. Updated signs will gradually be installed throughout the entire Brooklyn Public Library system.

The seven branches slated for upgraded signage include the Central Library (at Grand Army Plaza), Clinton Hill, DeKalb (Bushwick), Macon(Bed-Stuy), Park Slope, Stone Avenue (Brownsville), and Williamsburg.

Here are the upgrades each branch will receive:

Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza
The two existing static signs located at the base of the main branch’s entrance stairs will be replaced with eight-and-a-half-foot-tall double-sided signs featuring digital displays. Two similar single-sided signs will be installed at the Dweck Center and children’s entrances. The new sign at the Dweck Center entrance will replace a light pole.

Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue
This branch will have three banners (green, black, and yellow) placed on the concrete at the top left of the building and new lettering and address numbers over the main entrance. New “BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY” lettering will be displayed on the right side of the building, and a stanchion with the branch’s name and hours will be located at the front of the building.

DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Avenue
This branch will receive two black banners with white text that say “DEKALB” and display the Brooklyn Public Library logo at the bottom. One banner will be installed on each end of the library’s façade. Above the door, text reading “BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY” will be displayed with the address numbers below it. A new stanchion with the branch’s name and a digital display will replace the static sign currently out front.

Macon Library, 361 Lewis Avenue
The Macon branch will receive eight-foot-tall banners reading “MACON” located on each side of the building’s façade, as well as new address numbers above the front door. A digital display stanchion will be placed in front of the building.

Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue
Park Slope will receive two eight-foot-tall banners reading “PARK SLOPE.” New street numbers will be put on concrete and placed to the left of the library’s main entrance stairs. There will also be a digital display stanchion out front.

Stone Avenue Library, 581 Mother Gaston Boulevard
Designated a landmark in 2015, this branch will have one banner reading “STONE AVENUE,” new street numbers, and a stanchion displaying branch name and hours installed on the Dumont Avenue side of the building.

Williamsburg Library, 240 Division Avenue
The two existing banners hanging at this library’s main entrance will be replaced with updated ones after the surrounding masonry is repaired. The branch will also have a digital display stanchion out front as well as new street numbers installed by the main entrance stairs.