Sheepshead Bay Library

🏢 Brooklyn Public Library — Brooklyn, New York

Sheepshead Bay Library

Sheepshead Bay Library has served this historic waterfront neighborhood since August 22, 1903, when area residents raised $200 as a down payment on its maintenance — making it one of Brooklyn's oldest continuously operating branch libraries. Its current building, open since 1963, is known for an exceptionally large multilingual collection reflecting the neighborhood's Russian, Chinese, and diverse immigrant communities.

📖 About Sheepshead Bay Library

Sheepshead Bay Library opened on August 22, 1903, after local residents petitioned for their own branch and raised seed funding. It has occupied four buildings over its 120-year history; the current 7,475-square-foot facility at East 14th Street and Avenue Z has served the community since 1963. The branch sits in Sheepshead Bay, a waterfront neighborhood named for the sheepshead fish once abundant in the bay, with a strong maritime heritage, active charter fishing boats on Emmons Avenue, and a large multilingual population including significant Russian and Chinese communities.

⭐ What makes this branch special

• One of Brooklyn's oldest branch libraries — founded August 22, 1903 by community petition
• Current 7,475-square-foot building has served the neighborhood since 1963 (fourth location)
• Extensive multilingual collections reflecting large Russian, Chinese, and immigrant populations
• Chess tournaments for all skill levels from beginner to expert
• Tech assistance workshops including Facebook Basics, Email Basics, and one-on-one Ask A Tech sessions
• Active Friends of Sheepshead Bay Library group supporting the branch

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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