Central Library

Open today from 9 am - 8 pm.

Hours

Monday 9 am - 8 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 8 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 8 pm
Thursday 9 am - 8 pm
Friday 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday CLOSED

Address & Contact

10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238 Get Directions

Fully accessible

718.230.2100

Managing Librarian
718-230-2100

Amenities


About Central Library

Central Library first opened its doors to the public on February 1, 1941. With its breathtaking façade, sweeping grand lobby and vast contemporary and historical collections, it has been a Brooklyn icon since its opening. The library was designated a New York City Landmark in 1997 and joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. Central Library completed the first phase of major renovations in 2021. 

Central Library is Brooklyn’s home library, and one of New York City’s foremost cultural, civic and educational institutions. It is home to the Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Cultural Center, our premiere programming series BPL Presents; the Shelby White & Leon Levy Information Commons, an innovative public coworking and meeting space offering the latest technology; and the Business and Career Center, offering books, resources and assistance on job search, small business entrepreneurship and personal finance. Three floors of collections span a range of subjects, and include reference resources as well as books and materials in more than 30 languages. Central Library is fully wheelchair accessible. 

iIn FY23, Central Library received more than 678,000 visits, and items from its collections circulated over 928,000 times. 

Book Donations at Central Library

We are currently not accepting book donations at Central. 

Explore Central Library

Designed to resemble an open book, Central Library is clad in limestone with impressive Art Deco detailing by sculptors Thomas Hudson Jones and Carl P. Jennewein. Perhaps the building’s most striking feature is its 50-foot-high entry portico, set into a concave façade that reflects the elliptical configuration of Grand Army Plaza. The dramatic entrance is adorned by fifteen bronze sculptures of famous characters and authors from American literature, framed by columns with a series of gilded bas-reliefs depicting the evolution of art and science. 

Federal Depository Library Program LogoBrooklyn Public Library is a selective Federal Depository for government publications. It is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the Government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)   

Central Library Renovations

The first phase of Central Library’s renovation began in January 2019 and was completed in 2021. Learn more about the project here

Alternate Service Hours

Occasionally, Central Library offer alternate hours in order to accommodate large events. For dates, times, and registration information for these events please visit this page.

Mini Playdate

Tue, Mar 19 10:30am
Central Library, Youth Wing

AARP Free Tax Help and Preparation

Tue, Mar 19 10:30am
Central Library

Create a Business Plan That's…

Tue, Mar 19 10:30am
Central Library, Dweck Center

Virtual English Conversation Hour -…

Tue, Mar 19 2:00pm
Virtual

iPhone/Android

Tue, Mar 19 2:00pm
Central Library, Second Floor Computer Lab

Homework Help @Central Library

Tue, Mar 19 3:00pm
Central Library, Youth Wing

Theater Workshop

Tue, Mar 19 3:30pm
Central Library, Info Commons Lab

Kids Explore

Tue, Mar 19 4:00pm
Central Library, Youth Wing

Slip Stitch Knitting Group

Tue, Mar 19 5:00pm
Central Library, Info Commons, Room 4

Slip Stitch Knitting Group

Tue, Mar 19 5:00pm
Central Library, Info Commons, Room 4

Virtual English Conversation Group

Tue, Mar 19 6:00pm
Virtual

English Conversation Group

Tue, Mar 19 6:00pm
Central Library, Info Commons, Room 7

Babies & Books

Wed, Mar 20 10:00am
Central Library, Youth Wing

Single Candle
Beginning Hebrew Conversation for Adults

Wed, Mar 20 10:00am
Virtual

Single Stop Free Tax Help By Appointment

Wed, Mar 20 10:00am
Central Library, Business & Career Center

Babies & Books

Wed, Mar 20 10:30am
Central Library, Youth Wing

Babies & Books

Wed, Mar 20 11:00am
Central Library, Youth Wing

BPL/OATS Technology for All Spring…

Wed, Mar 20 1:00pm
Virtual

Virtual English Conversation Group

Wed, Mar 20 1:00pm
Virtual

Ask A Tech

Wed, Mar 20 2:00pm
Central Library, Second Floor Computer Lab

Central Library façade
Central Library façade
Grand Lobby
Grand Lobby
An event at Central Library
An event at Central Library
An event at Central Library
An event at Central Library
Central Library façade
Central Library façade