New Utrecht Library
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library — Brooklyn, New York
New Utrecht Library
New Utrecht Library traces its roots to 1894, when a literary club called the Winter Society founded the Free Library of the Town of New Utrecht — making it one of Brooklyn's oldest library traditions, predating the Brooklyn Public Library system itself. Today, consistently ranked among BPL's busiest branches by circulation and door count, it anchors the Bensonhurst neighborhood at 86th Street.
🕑 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: 1743 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Phone: 7182364086
Website: bklynlibrary.org
📖 About New Utrecht Library
<p>In 1894, the Winter Society, a local literary club, established the Free Library of the Town of New Utrecht at a time when New Utrecht was still an independent municipality; the town was annexed by the City of Brooklyn that same year and its library joined the Brooklyn Public Library system in 1901. The branch operated at 18th Avenue at 84th Street before moving on April 1, 1956 to its current purpose-built home at 1743 86th Street. Consistently one of BPL's highest-traffic locations — whether measured by circulation, program attendance, or door count — the branch serves the diverse Bensonhurst community with ESOL classes, Chinese brush painting workshops, computer courses, and children's storytimes. The city and HPD released an RFP in 2026 to redevelop the branch as a new state-of-the-art library paired with 220–290 units of 100% affordable housing, while the current branch remains open until construction begins.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- One of Brooklyn's oldest library traditions, founded in 1894 as the Free Library of the Town of New Utrecht by the Winter Society literary club
- Consistently among BPL's highest-traffic branches by circulation, program attendance, and door count
- ESOL classes and Chinese brush painting workshops serving Bensonhurst's multilingual community
- Regular community debate events and Town Hall programs hosted in the branch auditorium
- Planned redevelopment as a brand-new library paired with 220–290 units of 100% affordable housing under NYC's Living Libraries program
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the New Utrecht Library?
The library tradition at New Utrecht dates to 1894, when the Winter Society literary club founded the Free Library of the Town of New Utrecht. The branch joined the Brooklyn Public Library system in 1901 and has been at its current 86th Street address since April 1, 1956.
Will the New Utrecht Library close for renovation?
The current building will remain open while the city selects a development partner. In 2026, NYC's Department of Housing Preservation and Development and BPL issued a competitive RFP to redevelop the site as a brand-new library with 220–290 units of 100% affordable housing. Construction has not yet begun as of late 2026.
What languages and programs are offered at New Utrecht Library?
New Utrecht Library offers free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, Chinese brush painting workshops, Kids Create art programs, computer basics courses, and storytimes for children. The branch also hosts regular community Town Hall events in its auditorium, reflecting its deep roots in the Bensonhurst neighborhood.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.