Flatlands library reopens
Booklender returns after monthslong closure with new amenities for readers
BY JESSICA PARKS
The Flatlands library
branch reopened Wednesday
with new amenities following a
three-month closure.
The book lender at Flatbush
Avenue near Baughman Place
closed on Aug. 3 to accommodate
the construction of a new
conference room, which features
a video screen and seating
for 65 people.
The space is now available
to the public to use for lectures
or group activities, and Assemblywoman
Helene Weinstein
— who kicked in $500,000 for
the project — hopes local community
groups will take advantage
of the new amenity.
“With this fl exible new
space, the possibilities for programs
are countless and we
look forward to welcoming patrons
here for years to come,”
said Brooklyn Library President
Linda Johnson.
In addition, the 1955-built
Flatlands library branch reopened
Wednesday with new
amenities following a threemonth
COURIER LIFE, N 14 OVEMBER 15-21, 2019
closure. branch’s old
meeting room — which could
only fi t about 16 people — was
repurposed for use as an activity
space for kids.
The renovation project
comes at a time of trouble for
the borough’s aging library system,
which currently suffers a
whopping $247 million in unmet
repair needs spread across
the book lender’s 59 branches.
The Flatlands branch alone
is experiencing a roughly $8
million shortfall for desperately
needed renovations and
upgrades, including $1 million
to meet federal disability
requirements and $1.9 million
for exterior and window repairs,
both of which are listed
as emergency issues by BPL executives.
The library system’s funding
woes follow the city’s unprecedented
$278 million investment
in Brooklyn Public
Library, which will fund other
repairs necessary to prop up
the aging library system over
the next 10 years.
The Flatlands Branch library on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue P in Flatlands Brooklyn reopened today with a
ribbon cutting by Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and kids from PS 207 on Filmore Avenue.
Photo by Todd Maisel
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