Windsor Terrace Library
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library — Brooklyn, New York
Windsor Terrace Library
Windsor Terrace Library carries a history as unconventional as the neighborhood it serves: library service here began in 1922 in a pharmacy, survived a decade in a pair of decommissioned streetcars, and finally landed in a dedicated 7,000-square-foot building in 1969 — whose children's section is anchored by a vibrant 30-foot mural painted by the branch's own security officer.
🕑 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: 160 East 5th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218
Phone: 7186869707
Website: bklynlibrary.org
📖 About Windsor Terrace Library
<p>Library service in Windsor Terrace dates to 1922, when a 3,000-book collection opened in a local pharmacy. The neighborhood cycled through makeshift arrangements — by 1947 the collection was housed in two abandoned streetcars, and from 1951 a Library on Wheels visited weekly — until construction of the Prospect Avenue exit on the Gowanus Expressway repeatedly delayed a permanent branch. The current 7,000-square-foot building, designed by architect Gustave W. Iser, finally opened on October 22, 1969. Its most beloved interior feature is a colorful 30-foot mural in the children's section, created by Philip Mastridge, an artist and sculptor who also served as the branch's security officer. Bounded by Prospect Park to the east, Windsor Terrace today draws many young families to its storytimes, game programs, and teen technology workshops.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- A 30-foot children's section mural painted by Philip Mastridge, an artist who also served as the branch's security officer
- Library service in the neighborhood traces back to 1922 — including a stint in two abandoned streetcars in 1947
- Designed by architect Gustave W. Iser and opened October 22, 1969
- Steps from Prospect Park, making it a natural resource for the neighborhood's many young families
- Extended 24/7 Wi-Fi reaching up to 300 feet outside the building
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story behind the mural in Windsor Terrace Library's children's section?
The colorful 30-foot mural was created by Philip Mastridge, an accomplished artist and sculptor who also worked at the branch as its security officer. It has been a defining feature of the children's area since the building opened in 1969.
How long has Windsor Terrace had library service?
Library service in Windsor Terrace dates to 1922. Over the decades the community was served by a pharmacy reading room, two decommissioned streetcars, and a weekly bookmobile before the permanent building at 160 East 5th Street opened on October 22, 1969.
Does Windsor Terrace Library serve families with young children?
Yes. The branch is particularly popular with young families, and Storytime is one of its most-attended regular programs. It also serves a nearby school that does not have its own library, making the branch a vital educational resource in the neighborhood.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.