Cypress Hills Library
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library · Brooklyn, New York
Cypress Hills Library
Cypress Hills Library carries a historic distinction as the first branch of any public library system in the United States to open inside a housing project — it launched at Cypress Hills Houses in 1955 — and today occupies a purpose-built 10,000-square-foot facility with a skylit atrium and public art that opened in 1995 as part of East New York's revitalization.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 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: 1197 SUTTER AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11208
Phone: 718-277-6004
Website: bklynlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G8M4FG+29 (BROOKLYN, NY)
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📖 About Cypress Hills Library
When the original Cypress Hills Library opened on the ground floor of the Cypress Hills Houses in 1955, it was the first branch of a public library system anywhere in the country to locate inside a public housing development. Most early patrons were residents of that housing complex, and the library quickly became an essential resource in a neighborhood with limited access to services. In 1995 a new 10,000-square-foot building was constructed on Sutter Avenue as part of a broader program to revitalize East New York. The brick structure features a distinctive metal-clad roof, a skylit atrium that floods the reading room with natural light, and entrance gate artwork by artist Rolando Briseno. Today the branch continues to serve the diverse East New York and Cypress Hills community with a full range of programs including children's story time, digital literacy workshops, and teen after-school activities.
⭐ What makes this library special
- First public library branch in the US to open inside a public housing project (Cypress Hills Houses, 1955)
- Current building opened 1995 as part of East New York revitalization — 10,000 sq ft
- Skylit atrium, metal-clad roof, and entrance gate art by sculptor Rolando Briseno
- Serves a diverse East New York and Cypress Hills community with multilingual programming
- 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
- Printing, copying, and scanning
- Children's programming and story time
- Teen after-school programs
- Digital literacy workshops
- Adult programming and ESL support
- Skylit atrium reading and study space
- Culture Pass museum reservations
🎸 Programs
- Story Time for toddlers and early readers
- Teen after-school programs and homework help
- Digital literacy and computer skills workshops
- ESL and adult literacy groups
- Community and cultural events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Brooklyn
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Cypress Hills Library historically significant?
When it opened in 1955 on the ground floor of the Cypress Hills Houses, it was the first branch of any public library system in the United States to locate inside a public housing development. That milestone reflected a deliberate effort to bring library services directly to residents who might not otherwise have easy access.
When was the current Cypress Hills Library building constructed?
The present building at 1197 Sutter Avenue opened in 1995 as part of a program to revitalize East New York. It replaced the original housing-project location with a dedicated 10,000-square-foot facility designed with a skylit atrium, metal-clad roof, and entrance gate artwork by artist Rolando Briseno.
Who created the entrance gate artwork at Cypress Hills Library?
The distinctive entrance gate artwork was created by Rolando Briseno, a sculptor whose public art work appears at multiple sites in New York City. The gates are an integrated part of the 1995 building's design and are one of the first things visitors notice approaching the branch.
Does Cypress Hills Library serve the full East New York neighborhood?
Yes — while the library is technically in the Cypress Hills section, it serves the broader East New York and Cypress Hills community. The branch is one of the closest BPL branches for a wide area of eastern Brooklyn, and its programs and digital access resources draw patrons from across the surrounding neighborhoods.
🎨 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.
👶 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.
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