Crown Heights Library
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library · Brooklyn, New York
Crown Heights Library
A steady community anchor at the corner of New York Avenue and Maple Street since April 1958, Crown Heights Library has witnessed the neighborhood's many transformations while maintaining its role as a free, welcoming public resource — distinguished by its single-story beige facade topped with a large clock.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 1:00 PM – 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: 560 NEW YORK AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11225
Phone: 718-773-1180
Website: bklynlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G8M362+FR (BROOKLYN, NY)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Crown Heights Library
Crown Heights Library opened on April 21, 1958, as part of a citywide library expansion effort. The single-story beige building, topped with a large clock, became an immediately recognizable landmark on New York Avenue. Over the decades the branch has served a neighborhood that underwent dramatic demographic and economic shifts — from the postwar Jewish and Italian community, through the Caribbean and African American migration of the 1960s–80s, to the more recent gentrification pressure that has reshaped Crown Heights. Through all those changes the library remained a constant. Computer courses have long been among the branch's most popular offerings, reflecting ongoing demand for digital access in the community. Arts and crafts classes draw steady crowds, and with many families in the neighborhood, early literacy programs including Reading Is Fundamental and Kids' Tech Time have built large, loyal audiences.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Serving Crown Heights continuously since April 21, 1958
- Distinctive single-story building with a large clock on New York Avenue
- Computer courses among the most popular programs — strong digital access demand
- Arts and crafts classes and early childhood literacy programs with large followings
- Free Culture Pass for cardholders: 100+ NYC museums, gardens, and cultural venues
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free BPL card opens a full suite of digital resources — all accessible from home:
📚 Services
- Public computers and Wi-Fi
- Computer instruction courses
- Printing, copying, and scanning
- Children's programming and early literacy
- Arts and crafts classes
- Teen programs
- Study and reading space
- Culture Pass museum reservations
🎸 Programs
- Reading Is Fundamental early literacy
- Kids' Tech Time
- Arts and crafts workshops
- Computer skills courses for adults
- Community events and cultural programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in Brooklyn
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Crown Heights Library been open?
The branch opened on April 21, 1958, making it one of the longer-serving neighborhood branches in the BPL system. It has operated continuously for more than 65 years through significant neighborhood change.
What is the large clock on the Crown Heights Library building?
The clock is a defining architectural feature of the single-story beige branch building on New York Avenue. It has been a neighborhood landmark since the library opened in 1958 and is often used as a local reference point on the block.
Does Crown Heights Library offer computer classes?
Yes — computer courses have been among the branch's most consistently popular programs for many years, reflecting high demand for digital skills and internet access in the surrounding community. Check bklynlibrary.org for the current course schedule and registration.
What early childhood programs run at Crown Heights Library?
The branch has hosted Reading Is Fundamental (a national early literacy program) and Kids' Tech Time, both of which have built large repeat audiences among Crown Heights families. Story times and arts and crafts sessions round out the children's programming calendar.
🎨 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 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.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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