Washington Irving Library
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library — Brooklyn, New York
Washington Irving Library
Washington Irving Library is the 21st and final Carnegie library built in Brooklyn — a 1923 Tudor Revival landmark in Bushwick whose gabled slate roof and carved wooden fireplace surrounds have welcomed readers for over a century.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 1 PM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 360 Irving Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Phone: 7186288378
Website: bklynlibrary.org
📖 About Washington Irving Library
<p>Washington Irving Library opened on May 16, 1923, with a performance by the Muller Music orchestra, completing Brooklyn's full set of Carnegie branch libraries. Designed by architect Edward L. Tilton and constructed by the F.G. Fearon Company, the two-story Tudor Revival building at 360 Irving Avenue features brick and stone walls with a slate roof, a gabled roofline, a flat Elizabethan entrance arch, large multi-paned windows, and original hooded mantels with carved wooden fireplace surrounds — all of which survive intact today. Covering approximately 7,800 square feet, the branch has anchored the Bushwick community for more than a century and is particularly known today for its popular technology-focused programs for teens, including robotics and coding workshops.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- The 21st and final Carnegie library built in Brooklyn, opened May 16, 1923
- Designed by architect Edward L. Tilton in the Tudor Revival style, with original carved wooden fireplace surrounds still intact
- Distinctive features include a gabled slate roof, flat Elizabethan entrance arch, and large multi-paned windows
- Known for popular tech programs for teens including robotics league, coding, and 3-D printing workshops
- Approximately 7,800 square feet serving the Bushwick neighborhood at Irving Avenue and Woodbine Street
📱 Free with a Brooklyn Public Library Card
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington Irving Library a historic building?
Yes. Washington Irving Library is a Carnegie library — one of 21 built in Brooklyn with Andrew Carnegie's philanthropic funding, and the last of them to open (May 16, 1923). Designed by Edward L. Tilton in the Tudor Revival style, the building retains original features including a gabled slate roof, carved wooden fireplace surrounds, and a flat Elizabethan entrance arch.
What technology and teen programs does Washington Irving Library offer?
The branch is well known for technology-focused programs for young people. Brooklyn Public Library's BKLYN Robotics League — a free 10-week program for ages 9–17 covering strategy, coding, and robot-building — has been offered here. The branch also participates in BPL's broader TechKnowledge initiatives, which include free courses in coding, digital security, and 3-D printing for teens and adults.
What neighborhood does Washington Irving Library serve?
Washington Irving Library serves the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, located at the corner of Irving Avenue and Woodbine Street. The Stuyvesant area — encompassing Bushwick Avenue, Broadway, Myrtle, and Central Avenues — was identified in 1901 as one of five Brooklyn areas with the greatest need for a Carnegie branch library.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.