Clinton Hill Library

🏢 Brooklyn Public Library · Brooklyn, New York

Clinton Hill Library

Tucked into a landmarked block of Clinton Hill brownstones near Pratt Institute, this single-story branch has served one of Brooklyn's most architecturally rich neighborhoods since 1973 — and emerged from a 2014 renovation with a self-checkout kiosk, LED lighting, and a drawable wall in the children's room.

📞 718-398-8713🌐 bklynlibrary.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 380 WASHINGTON AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11238

Phone: 718-398-8713

Website: bklynlibrary.org

Plus Code: 87G8M2PM+XJ (BROOKLYN, NY)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the BPL Catalog →&📚Get a Free BPL Card →&🗽NOVELny — Free NY Statewide Databases →

📖 About Clinton Hill Library

Clinton Hill Library opened in 1973 on Washington Avenue, steps from the Victorian mansions and Pratt Institute campus that define this landmarked neighborhood. Its low-rise design fits comfortably among the residential blocks, and a 2014 renovation reconfigured the interior for better light, added self-checkout and self-check-in machines, replaced the HVAC system, and installed a drawable wall that invites creative play in the children's area. The branch serves a multigenerational community anchored by Pratt students, long-time homeowners, and young families from neighboring Fort Greene and Bed-Stuy. Programs lean into that mix: story times for toddlers, teen maker workshops, and BPL Social Work Walk-In Hours that connect patrons to housing, benefits, and legal navigation support.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Opened 1973 in a NYC-landmarked residential district near Pratt Institute
  • 2014 renovation: self-checkout, LED lighting, children's drawable wall
  • BPL Social Work Walk-In Hours — housing, benefits, and legal referrals
  • Community anchor for Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Bed-Stuy residents
  • Free Culture Pass for cardholders: access to 100+ NYC museums and gardens

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Your free BPL card opens a full suite of digital resources — all accessible from home:

&📱 Libby / OverDriveBorrow eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines with your BPL card — no waiting lists on most titles.
&🎬 KanopyStream thousands of award-winning films, documentaries, and Great Courses titles free with your BPL card.
&🗽 NOVELnyNew York's statewide online library — databases covering news, business, health, and academic research, free to all NY residents.
&🏛️ Culture PassReserve free passes to 100+ NYC museums, historic homes, and gardens including the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

📚 Services

  • Public computers and Wi-Fi
  • Printing, copying, and scanning
  • Children's programming and story time
  • Teen programs and maker workshops
  • BPL Social Work Walk-In Hours
  • Study and reading space
  • Notary services (by appointment at select branches)
  • Culture Pass museum reservations

🎸 Programs

  • Story Time for toddlers and pre-K
  • Teen maker and STEM workshops
  • BPL Social Work Walk-In Hours
  • Community art and photography exhibitions
  • Adult literacy and English conversation groups

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clinton Hill Library in a historic Carnegie building?

No — the current branch was purpose-built in 1973 as a single-story modern structure. It does sit within a NYC-landmarked district of 19th-century brownstones and is steps from Pratt Institute's nationally registered campus, giving the block a historic character the library complements.

What renovations were done at Clinton Hill Library in 2014?

The branch closed for approximately five months and reopened with self-checkout and self-check-in kiosks, a new air conditioning and heating system, LED lighting and ceiling panels, a drawable wall in the children's room, reconfigured and brighter interior space, new window treatments, and updated furniture.

Can I get a library card at Clinton Hill if I live outside Brooklyn?

Yes — any New York State resident can obtain a free BPL card in person at any branch with a valid photo ID and proof of NY State address. NYC residents can also use that card at NYPL and Queens Public Library branches.

Does Clinton Hill Library offer social services on-site?

Yes. BPL embeds licensed social workers at branches throughout the system. At Clinton Hill, Social Work Walk-In Hours let patrons meet one-on-one to get referrals and assistance with housing applications, public benefits, legal aid, and mental health resources — no appointment required during those hours.

🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.

📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.

🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.

👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.

✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.

✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.

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