State Sen. Kevin Parker (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace) yesterday made sure that reading remains fundamental in his district yesterday with the re-opening of the Clarendon Library, 2035 Nostrand Avenue.
The branch closed for roughly five months. During that time, the library was painted; new flooring, book shelving, and storage cabinetry were installed; and outlets were added in the main reading room to help modernize the branch, thanks to a $250,000 state allocation through Parker’s office.
“I am proud to celebrate and take part in the re-opening of the Clarendon Library,” said Parker. “Libraries are an important community resource, as they provide students with a safe place to study, learn and gain access to information outside of their classrooms.”
During the opening celebration, Parker read stories to school-aged children. Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) and City Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, Midwood) were also on hand.
“Families and children of all ages depend on our neighborhood libraries to expand their knowledge and explore their imagination. I am excited that the Clarendon Library is now open and ready to welcome East Flatbush residents who have eagerly awaited this day. From story time to tech and career programs for our youth and adults, the library is a vital institution that promotes learning and literacy year-round. I look forward to the breadth of opportunities that will arise from this invaluable resource,” said Louis.
During the closure, BPL provided bookmobile services and patrons were welcomed at nearby libraries. A popular storytime program continued at a nearby church.
Since 1954, Clarendon Library has been a vibrant mainstay in the East Flatbush neighborhood, offering a wide range of programs from storytime for children to resume writing for adults to art and music for the whole family. Clarendon Library is home to an award-winning robotics team.
“Today marks our return to Clarendon Library,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “We are grateful to Senator Parker for his commitment and support of this project, which elevates our level of service to the East Flatbush community with a space better outfitted for our patrons’ needs.”
For the past several years, Brooklyn Public Library has invested in closing its $300 Million capital needs gap and updating aging infrastructure system-wide. The result of that work is that one-third of the libraries in the BPL system have recently been or will be replaced or overhauled.
