The Kings Highway Library is up and running again %u2013 following a $7.5 million makeover.
The second-largest branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), 2115 Ocean Avenue, celebrated its four-year, “top-to-bottom” renovation with a pomp-filled grand opening ceremony, attended by area dignitaries and members of the community; among them, Borough President Marty Markowitz, BPL Executive Director Dionne Mack-Harvin; Councilmember Michael Nelson and Independence Community Foundation Executive Director Marilyn Gelber.
Providing the musical entertainment were students from Public School 197, 1599 East 22nd Street; and Edward R. Murrow High School, 1600 Avenue L.
The transformation includes new spaces for all age groups, including a new room for babies and toddlers, and an expanded Children’s Room on the second floor. The upgraded technology is complemented by the addition of more than 98,000 new books, CDs and DVDs.
In addition, visitors have free access to Jewish Data, one of the largest Jewish genealogical datatbases of its kind.
Boasting a unique history, the Kings Highway Library began as one of the several unstaffed deposit stations, established in stores and other facilities across Brooklyn by the BPL.
According to a 1910 news report, the Kings Highway station placed a collection in the undertaking establishment of a Mr. Cornell at Kings Highway and East 12th Street, later relocating to a nearby shoe store.
In 1912, the branch opened its own quarters in a small frame shack at 1508 Kings Highway. After several additional moves, the branch finally broke ground at its current site, gaining the distinction of being the first branch library to be erected in Brooklyn by the City of New York.
Kings Highway Library’s operating hours are: Monday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.
For more information, call 718-375-3037.
