Ulmer Park Library Reopening This Month
Great news for bookworms in Bath Beach!
Ulmer Park Library (2602 Bath Avenue) — which has been closed for repairs since March 2015 — is set to re-open on Monday, August 22, Councilman Mark Treyger, Borough President Eric L. Adams, and Brooklyn Public Library announced today.
With the work nearly complete, the Ulmer Park branch now features a new roof, a new floor, new furniture, and LED lighting, and a new central air conditioning system. Treyger and Adams partnered to secure an allocation of $875,000 in funding to cover the cost of the HVAC. The new air conditioning unit will allow the Ulmer Park branch to also be used as a community cooling center.
“We are proud to welcome the community back to Ulmer Park Library, a busy branch in one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson. “We’re grateful to Council Member Treyger and Borough President Adams, whose support has helped us make Ulmer Park a much more comfortable place to attend a preschool program, browse our multilingual collection or play a friendly game of chess.”
The Ulmer Park branch, like other branches in Treyger’s district and across Brooklyn, will feature six-day service once it re-opens, thanks to a $12 million investment from the City Council’s Brooklyn Delegation, which Treyger co-chairs.
“As a former educator, I have always believed that libraries are an extension of the classroom, and we must ensure that both our classrooms and libraries are comfortable, safe, and nurturing environments that allow residents to read and study in the most productive manner possible,” said Treyger. “The work completed at the Ulmer Park Library signifies a tremendous quality of life improvement for the Bensonhurst/Gravesend community, and I remain dedicated to helping maintain the quality of our local libraries.”
Once the branch re-opens, hours at the Ulmer Park Library will be:
- Monday: 10am – 6pm
- Tuesday: 10am – 8pm
- Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
- Thursday: 1pm – 8pm
- Friday: 10am – 6pm
- Saturday: 10am – 5pm
This news comes on the heals of our report last month, that the shuttered branch was becoming an eyesore, with debris and trash scattered on the Bath Avenue block. To make matters worse, a dead cat was found behind the building, generating unpleasant odors for neighbors. Following our reporting, the site — and the cat — was cleaned up.
In a statement today, Brooklyn’s borough president said a few word on the value modern, well-maintained libraries provide our communities
“Libraries are cornerstones of quality neighborhoods, providing not only an opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of reading but also the comfort of a safe activity space,” said Adams. “These vital improvements to the Ulmer Park Branch will allow the entire community to benefit from a modern facility, particularly in the summer when many residents depend on the library as a cooling center. I join Council Member Treyger in looking forward to this library serving all generations in Gravesend and across Brooklyn, from the young to the young at heart.”
An official grand re-opening ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 31 at 10am.