Expanded Canarsie Library will double public space and feature one of New York City’s first mass timber public buildings
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Brooklyn—Brooklyn Public Library joined Deputy Mayor Julie Su, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, NY State Senator Roxanne Persaud, New York State Assembly Member Jaime R. Williams, and other key stakeholders to break ground Friday on the new Canarsie Library, a major investment in the neighborhood that will double the public space of the previous building. The new two-story, 11,000-square-foot library is designed to meet both present and future needs and will be among the first mass timber public buildings in New York City, enabling a sustainable, low-carbon facility that offers beauty and natural warmth, along with climate benefits.
“Today we mark another important step toward providing Canarsie with a modern light-filled library with space for all to read, learn and explore new interests and career paths," said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “I extend my sincerest thanks to our elected leaders for helping us to build a library both for the books it will hold and the dreams they are sure to inspire.”
To inform the design of the new library, Brooklyn Public Library and the architects at Studio Joseph engaged hundreds of Canarsie residents, library patrons, community organizations, elected representatives, service providers, and other key stakeholders. This extensive public process helped to ensure the design of the new library will truly reflect the priorities and needs of the surrounding community.
"This library has always been a special place for families in Canarsie, including my own. I brought my own children here, and I saw how important it was for young people to have a safe, welcoming space to read, learn, and grow. I was proud to help secure city funding needed to help move this project forward, and I want to thank Linda Johnson and the entire Brooklyn Public Library team for their partnership and dedication to our community. I can’t wait to walk through the doors of the new library and see families, students, and my neighbors enjoying this beautiful space,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse.
"Canarsie Library has always been a cornerstone of our community, and this expansion represents an exciting new chapter for our neighborhood. We are investing in learning, creativity, and connection for all ages. I’m thrilled about what’s to come and can’t wait to see this transformed space continue to serve and inspire Canarsie for generations," said New York State Senator, Roxanne J. Persaud.
"Our public libraries are the cornerstones of our communities, providing vital resources, education, and opportunity for every resident. The Canarsie Library project represents a commitment to ensuring that the community has a modern, full-service library to meet its needs now and in the future,” said Assemblymember Jaime R. Williams.
Patrons will enter through a dramatic new façade which floods the building with natural light during the day and serves as a beacon for the neighborhood in the evenings.
Exposed mass timber and abundant daylight will create a welcoming interior that feels both calm and accessible. Shawmut Design and Construction will oversee construction of the new library; they previously built the Sunset Park and Adams Street Library.
“Breaking ground on the Canarsie Library is an exciting milestone for the community and project team,” said David Margolius, Executive Vice President of Shawmut Design and Construction’s New York Metro region. “This is our third project with Brooklyn Public Library, and it’s rewarding to see how thoughtful planning, design, and construction translates into spaces that truly serve New Yorkers. We’re especially proud that the cross-laminated timber structure will make this one of the city’s first public mass timber buildings, advancing a more sustainable built environment. We’re grateful for Brooklyn Public Library’s trust and partnership and look forward to delivering this project through a safe, community-focused construction process.”
At 11,000 sf, the new design will double the space available to the public with separate areas for adults, teens and children, including stroller parking. A new flexible meeting room—which can accommodate up to 50 people— will be available for public use. A public recording studio, maker space and outdoor terrace are also planned. The new building will provide all-new heating, cooling, and electrical infrastructure, as well as sustainable features including on-site stormwater management and solar panels. Together, these features provide an environment that feels open, warm, and unmistakably rooted in the community it serves.
"The library is forged by public engagement. The ideas of natural materials, a landscaped terrace, special areas for teens and children, and spaces for community gathering emerged from listening to the community. The building is transparent by day and a lantern by night—and an open invitation for education and social bonding," said Wendy Joseph, Principal, Studio Joseph.
During the closure, patrons are welcome at any of BPL’s 62 branches, including the Jamaica Bay Library, less than a mile away.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.