Brooklyn Public Library – Brownsville Library

Okay, so I didn’t come here in search for a book. I moved into the area about a year ago and went in today with my son to see how it is. I had low expectations because it is Brownsville, but I was blown away. It is a beautiful library and it looks like it mostly caters to children. (It was one of the first libraries to exclusively cater to children in the early 20^th century). They have a life sized chess playing area, where you can play chess. They also have several areas where you can read and relax. The children’s section had some toys, but most were broken. The children section also had two computers.
The only thing I don’t recommend is bringing very small children there. It is a library, and even though it is primarily a children’s library, it is still quiet there. But on the plus side, there is a playground right next door.
This library is an oasis in the crime riddled neighborhood of Brownsville.

It doesn’t have a lot of books, then again it doesn’t have a lot of people in the area that actively read so…
Give the place a break if you look up its history this location was actually one of the first libraries to cater exclusively to children (hence why their book collection for adults is minimal).
For a place that is wedged in between several crime ridden communities I think it does pretty well for itself.
There was an earlier poster who complained about their book being reserved, but having it checked out when she got there. She asked HOW CAN THIS BE?
Well, actually I worked in a library so I can tell you how it happens. When you click to complete your reservation there is no magical force field that comes down around the book stopping others from borrowing it. What can/​does happen occasionally is that the book is being check out at the very moment you are filling out your hold requested and the system has not caught up yet. I know its annoying, but it does happen.

They really don’t have much here but for some reason I still come here. It’s quiet and kinda hidden.
The only reason I continuously come here is because: 1) It’s close to home and 2) I can have the books that I really want sent here from any other library in Brooklyn (I’m kinda lazy, don’t feel like driving all the way across Brooklyn for a book).
Overall: I’ll be back (I have to return my books duh!)

So in order to be called a library you must first have books right?
I will give them an A (or E) for effort.
Please don’t come here with the expectations of this being the «book mecca» or «book heaven.» You will be HIGHLY disappointed. You would think that because they have 2 floors they would be flooded with books, right? WRONG!
I went on the library’s website to see what books they have and they had the book I wanted (score!). So I quickly reserved it, threw on my flip flops, hopped in my car and drove to the library smiling and humming to myself (I’m a book worm, don’t judge me).
I get to the counter and asked for the book I reserved and the guy says «Sorry someone just rented it»
How can this be? But I followed all the steps and reserved it online? I had my bookmark all ready and was dying to crack open that book for the first time.
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT!
So I settled for another book, Fly Betty, which actually turned out to be pretty good!
You have redeemed yourself for now Brownsville Public Library.
3 stars — location sucks (right in between a fire house, public housing, community center, school, etc), but I guess this is convenient if you live in one of those buildings.
Also the purpose of a library is to have books and this one looked like someone robbed them for all of there books and just left them with mediocre ones.