Pacific Library
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library · Brooklyn, New York
Pacific Library
Brooklyn's first Carnegie library, the 1904 Pacific Library anchors 4th Avenue at Pacific Street in a Beaux Arts building that survived fires, subway construction, and a near-demolition — staying open as a neighborhood hub and the borough's primary Adult Literacy and HSE testing center.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 1pm–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 25 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 718-638-1531
Website: bklynlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G8M2MC+9H (Brooklyn, NY)
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📖 About Pacific Library
Pacific Library opened on October 8, 1904 as the first Carnegie branch in Brooklyn — the inaugural result of Andrew Carnegie's gift that ultimately built 21 Brooklyn Public Library locations. Architect Raymond F. Almirall designed the Beaux Arts structure at 25 4th Avenue in what is now Boerum Hill, giving it brick facades with prominent limestone trim, keystoned arched windows, oversized carved torches and swags at the cornice, and a rotunda with a semicircular iron balcony inside. The branch has faced adversity throughout its history: subway construction in 1914 damaged the structure; a 1917 fire destroyed all of the children's books and a third of the adult collection; and a 1973 fire nearly shuttered the branch permanently before community advocacy saved it — leading to a full restoration in 1975. In 2013 the Brooklyn Public Library proposed selling the building to fund a replacement facility, but an outpouring of neighborhood opposition prompted the library to take it off the market. Today Pacific Library is both a cherished neighborhood reading room and Brooklyn's hub for free adult literacy programs and High School Equivalency (GED/HSE) preparation and testing.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Brooklyn's first Carnegie library, opened October 8, 1904 — designed by Beaux Arts architect Raymond F. Almirall with limestone keystones, carved torches and swags, and a rotunda iron balcony
- Free Adult Literacy and HSE/GED program hub for Brooklyn, with classes and computer-based GED testing available at the branch
- Survived two fires (1917 and 1973), subway-construction damage (1914), and a 2013 sale proposal — saved each time by community advocacy
- Beaux Arts landmark without official city designation — the building retains original 19th-century ironwork, woodwork banisters and tiled fireplace elements
- Part of the Brooklyn Public Library system: one card gives access to all 60+ BPL branches, shared OverDrive catalog, hoopla, Kanopy, and NOVELny statewide databases
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Brooklyn cardholders stream, download and research free through BPL's digital platforms and New York's statewide resources:
📚 Services
- Free Adult Literacy classes and High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) preparation programs
- Computer-based GED testing center (2nd floor)
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- Digital borrowing: Libby/OverDrive, hoopla, Kanopy
- Access to all 60+ BPL branches with one library card
🎸 Programs
- Adult literacy and HSE/GED prep classes (day and evening schedules)
- Enhanced Young Adult Literacy Program (eYALP) for ages 17–24
- Preschool storytimes
- Teen programming
- Home Internet Access information sessions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Brooklyn
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Pacific Library considered historic, and was it almost demolished?
Pacific Library is Brooklyn's first Carnegie branch library, opened October 8, 1904. Architect Raymond F. Almirall designed the Beaux Arts building with limestone keystones, carved torch-and-swag cornice ornaments, and a semicircular iron balcony inside the rotunda. In 1973 a fire nearly shuttered the branch permanently, but neighborhood advocates rallied to save it, and it reopened after a full restoration in 1975. In 2013 the Brooklyn Public Library again proposed selling the building to fund a newer facility; another round of community opposition — including City Council pressure and a historic-landmark campaign — convinced the library to keep the branch open.
Does Pacific Library offer HSE or GED classes and testing?
Yes. Pacific Library is Brooklyn Public Library's main hub for adult literacy and High School Equivalency programs. Free HSE/GED preparation classes run on day and evening schedules and are open to anyone 17 or older. The branch also hosts computer-based GED testing on the 2nd floor; you can schedule a test through GED.com. An Enhanced Young Adult Literacy Program (eYALP) serves adults ages 17–24 who want to earn their diploma while gaining a national career certification.
What are Pacific Library's evening and weekend hours?
The library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 am–6 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 10 am–8 pm (with Tuesday not opening until 1 pm); and Saturday 10 am–5 pm. The library is closed on Sundays. Evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday make it easy to visit after work or school.
What online resources can I access with a Brooklyn Public Library card from Pacific Library?
BPL cardholders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby/OverDrive with no late fees, stream movies via Kanopy, and access hoopla for music, comics and on-demand content — all free. New York State residents can also use NOVELny (novelnewyork.org), the State Library's gateway to dozens of research databases, encyclopedias and academic resources, at no cost.
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