Marcy Library

🏢 Brooklyn Public Library — Brooklyn, New York

Marcy Library

Rooted in Bedford-Stuyvesant since 1899 — when it was a petite Grecian shelter inside Tompkins Park — Marcy Library today combines a beautifully renovated interior with a garden on Bedford Avenue that brings outdoor learning and performances to the heart of Bed-Stuy.

📖 About Marcy Library

<p>Marcy Library traces its origins to June 6, 1899, when the Tompkins Park Free Library opened in a small Grecian-style shelter in the center of its namesake park, becoming one of Brooklyn's earliest free lending libraries. By 1969 the neighborhood had outgrown the diminutive building, and a new Marcy Library opened at its current location on DeKalb Avenue in March of that year. In early 2016 the branch closed for an 18-month, $1.5 million renovation, reopening in February 2018 with a redesigned children's area featuring an interactive activity wall, new furniture, updated shelving, and improved lighting. The branch also has access to a stylish garden on Bedford Avenue that hosts outdoor performances, horticultural programs, and community learning activities.</p>

⭐ What makes this branch special

• Successor to the Tompkins Park Free Library, serving Bedford-Stuyvesant since 1899
• Reopened February 2018 after an 18-month, $1.5 million renovation
• Redesigned children's area with interactive activity wall and age-appropriate furniture
• Access to a garden on Bedford Avenue hosting outdoor performances and horticultural programs
• 24 public computers and 10 laptops available to the community

📱 Free with a Brooklyn Public Library Card

Any New York State resident can get a BPL card free and unlock:

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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