Rugby Library
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library — Brooklyn, New York
Rugby Library
Rugby Library reopened in July 2021 after a $10.2 million renovation spanning four years, transforming a 1957 East Flatbush landmark into a bright modern space where a mural by Brooklyn artist JMikal Davis greets visitors two blocks from Jackie Robinson's childhood home.
🕑 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: 1000 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Phone: 7185660054
Website: bklynlibrary.org
📖 About Rugby Library
<p>Rugby Library has served East Flatbush since November 1946, when it opened as a modest sub-branch on Linden Avenue. After moving to a larger storefront on Utica Avenue in 1951, the branch finally got its own purpose-built home on April 1, 1957 — the second library constructed under Abraham Beame's municipal building program — celebrated at the time as having "the most colorful interior of any library in the metropolitan area." The branch closed in March 2017 for a renovation that grew from a $1 million estimate to a $10.2 million project, incorporating ADA-accessible bathrooms, new HVAC and LED lighting, sustainable bamboo ceilings and recycled rubber flooring, and a mural by Brooklyn artist JMikal Davis. It reopened on July 12, 2021, with dedicated zones for children, teens, and adults, an outdoor garden, and a collection of 22,000 items.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Reopened July 2021 after a $10.2 million renovation; closed since March 2017
- Mural by Brooklyn artist JMikal Davis inside the renovated branch
- Located two blocks from Jackie Robinson's childhood home in East Flatbush
- Sustainable materials throughout: bamboo ceilings, recycled rubber and cork flooring
- Dedicated First Five Years children's section, teen zone, adult computers, and outdoor garden
📱 Free with a Brooklyn Public Library Card
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📍 More Brooklyn Public Library branches
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Rugby Library closed for so long?
Rugby Library closed in March 2017 for what was initially planned as a modest renovation but expanded significantly. The project grew from a $1 million estimate to a $10.2 million undertaking covering HVAC, ADA accessibility, lighting, facade improvements, and a full interior redesign. The branch reopened on July 12, 2021.
Is there anything notable near Rugby Library?
Yes — Jackie Robinson's childhood home is located just two blocks from Rugby Library on Utica Avenue in East Flatbush. Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, grew up in the neighborhood the library has served since 1946.
Does Rugby Library have meeting rooms available to the public?
Yes. The renovated Rugby Library includes new meeting rooms and workspaces available to the public, along with public computers for different age groups and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the building.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.