Although the other North Brooklyn branches of the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) have been serving us well in its absence, we Greenpointers cannot wait until our renovated Greenpoint Library is returned to us. Here are some updates shared at last Thursday’s Greenpoint Library Community Advisory Committee meeting. There is a lot of good news and some not-so-good news. Either way, the crew is hard at work!
HIGHLIGHTS
Not-so-good news: Unfortunately, more asbestos was discovered in August and again in September. The rainy summer also set back the finish date. Crews now work on Saturdays, as well, when weather permits. At this point, the new expected opening date of the library will probably be in late summer of 2019.
Good news: The basement and footings are almost complete, underground sewers are connected, and steel is scheduled to arrive on November 5th.
More Programs Funded: On October 18th, Whole Foods gave 5% of their revenue to BPL for environmental programs. $22,800 was raised! It will go towards the Green Series programs for kids and adults at BPL. The BPL thanks Whole Foods, and everyone who helped spread the word and shopped on October 18th!
GCEF & Education: The library hired an intern, funded by the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF), who will gather digital versions of Greenpoint’s remediation records, and has already begun doing the work .With the same grant, they hired the education consultants who are putting together environmental science lesson plans for children and teens. Drafts of the plans will be submitted to BPL in December.
Community Scanning: Acacia Thompson, BPL Outreach Archivist, held several community scanning events in September and October, and has been recording oral histories by appointment. Go Green BK featured these events on our calendar. Check back often to see what else is coming up! Acacia can be contacted at athompson@bklynlibrary.org to schedule an oral history interview or share an idea for the community scanning project.
Meanwhile: Don’t forget that BPL is serving the neighborhood with the book mobile, biweekly story time at the YMCA, and a pop-up library at the Park Church Co-op. Visit the website for details.
GO GREEN BK’S PREVIOUS POSTS ON THE GREENPOINT LIBRARY
- A NEW GREENPOINT LIBRARY: A WORK IN PROGRESS by Susan Anderson, August 1, 2018,
- SUBTERRANEAN LIBRARY BLUES by Jamie Hook, January 24, 2018,
- A NEW LEAF FOR GREENPOINT’S LOCAL LIBRARY by Romey Louangvilay, November 3, 2017