THE PUBLIC THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES OF LIBRARIES OF NYCNYC

Ellen Mehling, MLSEllen Mehling, MLS

October 13October 13thth, 2009, 2009

Rick Block’s Fall 510 classRick Block’s Fall 510 class

LIU @ NYULIU @ NYU

22

About meAbout me

One of my jobs is at Queens One of my jobs is at Queens Library’s Central Library (Jamaica)Library’s Central Library (Jamaica)

I do outreach and staff the I do outreach and staff the

reference desk at the Job reference desk at the Job

Information Center (JIC)Information Center (JIC) I never pictured myself I never pictured myself

working in a public libraryworking in a public library

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HISTORY OF PUBLIC HISTORY OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE U.S. LIBRARIES IN THE U.S.

(and NYC)(and NYC)

What does Scotland have to do What does Scotland have to do with public libraries in the United with public libraries in the United States?States?

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ANDREW ANDREW CARNEGIECARNEGIE

VeryVery successful Scottish industrialist successful Scottish industrialist (Carnegie Steel Company)(Carnegie Steel Company)

BigBig believer in education and “free” believer in education and “free” public librariespublic libraries

Donated big bucks to establish Donated big bucks to establish libraries in the U.S. and elsewherelibraries in the U.S. and elsewhere

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CARNEGIE CARNEGIE LIBRARIESLIBRARIES

““Carnegie libraries” were established in Carnegie libraries” were established in many places, including Scotland, Canada, many places, including Scotland, Canada, Australia and FijiAustralia and Fiji

A.C. funded about 2,500 libraries in the A.C. funded about 2,500 libraries in the U.S., in 47 statesU.S., in 47 states

He funded He funded manymany other things, including: other things, including: CIT (now part of Carnegie Mellon CIT (now part of Carnegie Mellon University), Carnegie Trust for the University), Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, and NYC’s Universities of Scotland, and NYC’s Carnegie HallCarnegie Hall

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CARNEGIE LIBRARIES CARNEGIE LIBRARIES IN NYCIN NYC

A total of 67 Carnegie libraries were A total of 67 Carnegie libraries were built in NYC: 39 in the Bronx, Manhattan built in NYC: 39 in the Bronx, Manhattan & Staten Island, 21 in Brooklyn, and 7 in & Staten Island, 21 in Brooklyn, and 7 in QueensQueens

Some were later demolished, usually Some were later demolished, usually because the neighborhoods grewbecause the neighborhoods grew

Some are still in use: Some are still in use:

including Woodhaven including Woodhaven

(Queens Library) (Queens Library)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Carnegie_libraries_in_New_York_CitySource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Carnegie_libraries_in_New_York_City

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HOW MANY LIBRARY HOW MANY LIBRARY SYSTEMS ARE IN SYSTEMS ARE IN

NYC?NYC?

HOW MANY PUBLIC HOW MANY PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NYC?LIBRARIES IN NYC?

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HOW MANY LIBRARY SYSTEMS HOW MANY LIBRARY SYSTEMS ARE IN NYC? ARE IN NYC? THREETHREE

HOW MANY PUBLIC LIBRARIES HOW MANY PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NYC? IN NYC? 211 211

(NYPL – 89, BPL – 60, QL – 62)(NYPL – 89, BPL – 60, QL – 62)

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THE LIBRARIESTHE LIBRARIES Most U.S. cities, even big ones, have one Most U.S. cities, even big ones, have one

library system, NYC ended up with library system, NYC ended up with threethree– New York Public Library (NYPL, covering New York Public Library (NYPL, covering

Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx)Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx)– Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)– Queens Library (QL)Queens Library (QL)

The small public libraries in various The small public libraries in various neighborhoods each became part of one neighborhoods each became part of one of these three systemsof these three systems

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THE “USUAL STUFF” AT THE “USUAL STUFF” AT ALL THREE SYSTEMS ALL THREE SYSTEMS

(quickly)(quickly) Books, newspapers, magazines, journals (different Books, newspapers, magazines, journals (different

languages and formats)languages and formats) CDs, DVDs, gamesCDs, DVDs, games Website with online catalog, account info, databases, Website with online catalog, account info, databases,

calendar, and morecalendar, and more Reference materialsReference materials ComputersComputers Classes (including computer, Classes (including computer,

arts/crafts, ESL, literacy…)arts/crafts, ESL, literacy…) Materials and programs for Materials and programs for

various age and interest groups various age and interest groups and in different languagesand in different languages

Info on local resources and eventsInfo on local resources and events Current event programmingCurrent event programming Book discussion groupsBook discussion groups Cultural programsCultural programs

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BROOKLYNBROOKLYN Was once a city unto itself; integrated Was once a city unto itself; integrated

into New York City in 1898into New York City in 1898 Highest population of any borough, 2.5 Highest population of any borough, 2.5

million peoplemillion people Over 37% of Brooklyn residents are Over 37% of Brooklyn residents are

foreign-born; 46% speak a language foreign-born; 46% speak a language other than Englishother than English

Languages spoken include English, Languages spoken include English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Hebrew, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Hebrew, Haitian Creole, French, Yiddish, Hindi, Haitian Creole, French, Yiddish, Hindi, Bengali, Polish, Italian, and ArabicBengali, Polish, Italian, and Arabic

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BROOKLYN PUBLIC BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARYLIBRARY

Established in 1896Established in 1896 Between 1901 and 1923, Andrew Between 1901 and 1923, Andrew

Carnegie donated $1.6 million to Carnegie donated $1.6 million to help establish 21 brancheshelp establish 21 branches

It is currently the fifth It is currently the fifth

largest library system largest library system

in the U.S. (by circulation)in the U.S. (by circulation)

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BPL VINTAGE PICSBPL VINTAGE PICSGerritsen Beach Gerritsen Beach

Branch, 1960sBranch, 1960s(note spelling error (note spelling error

on sign)on sign)

Prospect BranchProspect Branch(now Park Slope)(now Park Slope)

date unknowndate unknown

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BROOKLYN PUBLIC BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARYLIBRARY

60 locations: Central Library, Business 60 locations: Central Library, Business Library and 58 neighborhood branchesLibrary and 58 neighborhood branches

A branch within ½ A branch within ½

mile of each resident mile of each resident Materials in more thanMaterials in more than

50 languages50 languages More than 5 million items in collection: More than 5 million items in collection:

circulation over 16 million circulation over 16 million annuallyannually

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BPL’S CENTRAL BPL’S CENTRAL LIBRARYLIBRARY At Grand Army Plaza (Flatbush At Grand Army Plaza (Flatbush

Ave. & Eastern Parkway)Ave. & Eastern Parkway) Current location opened in 1941, Current location opened in 1941,

landmarked in 1997landmarked in 1997 Has a café and Has a café and hadhad a restaurant a restaurant

(“Parkview”) until July 2009(“Parkview”) until July 2009 Building is shaped like…Building is shaped like…

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BPL’S CENTRAL BPL’S CENTRAL LIBRARYLIBRARY

… …an open bookan open book (entrance is on the (entrance is on the spine)spine)

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BPL’S BUSINESS BPL’S BUSINESS LIBRARYLIBRARY

In downtown BrooklynIn downtown Brooklyn (Cadman Plaza)(Cadman Plaza) Business and investment Business and investment

resourcesresources Is older than BPL itself – dates back Is older than BPL itself – dates back

to 1852 (then the Brooklyn to 1852 (then the Brooklyn Athenaeum and Reading Room Athenaeum and Reading Room for for young men onlyyoung men only))

Known as the Business Library since Known as the Business Library since 19431943

1818

BPL FUN FACTSBPL FUN FACTS Refer to their users as “customers” (as Refer to their users as “customers” (as

does Queens Library)does Queens Library) Answer more than 3 million reference Answer more than 3 million reference

questions each yearquestions each year Have a bookmobile, a ‘kidsmobile’ and Have a bookmobile, a ‘kidsmobile’ and

a ‘Bibliobus’ (materials in Spanish, the a ‘Bibliobus’ (materials in Spanish, the first of its kind)first of its kind)

BrooklynologyBrooklynology, a blog about Brooklyn , a blog about Brooklyn history, from BPL’s Brooklyn Collection history, from BPL’s Brooklyn Collection http://brooklynology.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/http://brooklynology.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/

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BPL – sampling of programs BPL – sampling of programs

& services (Summer/Fall & services (Summer/Fall 2009)2009)

Database classesDatabase classes Photo contestPhoto contest Philosophy discussion groupPhilosophy discussion group Writers’ Circle meetingWriters’ Circle meeting Qigong exercise classQigong exercise class Exhibitions:Exhibitions:

– Brooklyn Connections: history projects created by Brooklyn Connections: history projects created by Brooklyn eighth-graders, using materials from the Brooklyn eighth-graders, using materials from the Central LibraryCentral Library

– Partners in Art and Life (artwork by Brooklyn artists Partners in Art and Life (artwork by Brooklyn artists who are couples) – through November 5who are couples) – through November 5thth, 2009, 2009

For more info: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/exhibitions/2009/For more info: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/exhibitions/2009/

2020

BPL – in the worksBPL – in the works

New Visual & Performing Arts Library New Visual & Performing Arts Library (VPA) in the BAM Cultural District (in (VPA) in the BAM Cultural District (in the works since 2002)the works since 2002)– new and emerging arts and technologynew and emerging arts and technology– traditional and digital collectionstraditional and digital collections– access and training to arts applications access and training to arts applications

and technologiesand technologies– special archive will house the records and special archive will house the records and

history of Brooklyn's arts communitieshistory of Brooklyn's arts communitiesFor more info: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/pdf/about/PlanPublicService_FY05-For more info: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/pdf/about/PlanPublicService_FY05-

FY08.pdfFY08.pdf

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Manhattan, the Bronx Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Islandand Staten Island

Combined population of approx. 3.5 Combined population of approx. 3.5 million peoplemillion people

Diversity – the three boroughs Diversity – the three boroughs include urban and suburban include urban and suburban neighborhoods, areas of wealth and neighborhoods, areas of wealth and of poverty, of poverty, different languages, age different languages, age groups, educational levels, etc.groups, educational levels, etc.

The Bronx is only NYC borough not The Bronx is only NYC borough not on an islandon an island

2222

NEW YORK NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARYPUBLIC LIBRARY

Began as a consolidation of the Astor and Began as a consolidation of the Astor and Lenox Libraries, with money ($2.4 million) Lenox Libraries, with money ($2.4 million) from the Tilden Foundation (1895)from the Tilden Foundation (1895)

Joined with the New York Free Joined with the New York Free Circulating Library in February 1901 Circulating Library in February 1901

(also in 1901) Andrew Carnegie (also in 1901) Andrew Carnegie donated $5.2 milliondonated $5.2 million

World famous – many people believe this is World famous – many people believe this is the only library system in NYCthe only library system in NYC

Includes four non-lending research libraries, Includes four non-lending research libraries, a library for the blind and physically a library for the blind and physically challenged, and neighborhood branches challenged, and neighborhood branches

2323

NEW YORK NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARYPUBLIC LIBRARY

Collections have more than 50 million Collections have more than 50 million itemsitems– ……including 20 million booksincluding 20 million books– Only the LoC and the British Library have Only the LoC and the British Library have

bigger collectionsbigger collections Research LibrariesResearch Libraries

– Schwarzman Building (42Schwarzman Building (42ndnd Street/5 Street/5thth Ave.) Ave.)– SIBL (formerly B. Altman’s dep’t store, 34SIBL (formerly B. Altman’s dep’t store, 34thth

Street)Street)– Performing Arts (at Lincoln Center)Performing Arts (at Lincoln Center)– Schomburg Center for Black Research and Schomburg Center for Black Research and

Culture (Harlem)Culture (Harlem)

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NYPL fun factsNYPL fun facts

NYPL has their own special NYPL has their own special police officerspolice officers

Budget is >$50 millionBudget is >$50 million More than 3000 employeesMore than 3000 employees

Mulberry Street Branch Mulberry Street Branch

(opened May 2007) (opened May 2007)

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NYPL Schwarzman NYPL Schwarzman Bldg. Fun FactsBldg. Fun Facts

Opened in 1911Opened in 1911 Movies that have featured this building Movies that have featured this building

include: include: 4242ndnd Street Street, , The WizThe Wiz, , GhostbustersGhostbusters, , The Day After TomorrowThe Day After Tomorrow and and Sex and the Sex and the CityCity

There are seven levels of stacks below the There are seven levels of stacks below the building, and a three-acre storage area building, and a three-acre storage area underneath Bryant Parkunderneath Bryant Park

The lions have had different names over the The lions have had different names over the years; their most well-known names, given to years; their most well-known names, given to them by Mayor LaGuardia during the Great them by Mayor LaGuardia during the Great Depression, are…Depression, are…

2626

NYPL Schwarzman NYPL Schwarzman Bldg. Fun FactsBldg. Fun Facts

PatiencePatience and and

FortitudeFortitude

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NYPL – sampling of NYPL – sampling of programs & services programs & services (Summer/Fall 2009)(Summer/Fall 2009)

Summer Reading promoted by the New Summer Reading promoted by the New York Yankees!!York Yankees!!

Yu-Gi-Oh Battle (teens)Yu-Gi-Oh Battle (teens) Exhibition commemorating Exhibition commemorating

the 250th anniversary of the 250th anniversary of Voltaire’s Voltaire’s CandideCandide (Schwarzman Bldg.) (Schwarzman Bldg.)

MOMA @ the Library presents: Art in MOMA @ the Library presents: Art in New York: From Jackson Pollock to Andy New York: From Jackson Pollock to Andy Warhol Warhol (Bronx Library Center)(Bronx Library Center)

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NYPL – sampling of NYPL – sampling of programs & services programs & services (Summer/Fall 2009)(Summer/Fall 2009)

Exhibition at Schomburg Center Exhibition at Schomburg Center for Black Research and Culture for Black Research and Culture commemorating 50 years since commemorating 50 years since the end of school segregationthe end of school segregation

Health information classHealth information class ““Stump the Librarian” Stump the Librarian”

(for kids)(for kids) Manga drawing workshopManga drawing workshop

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NYPL – recent and NYPL – recent and upcomingupcoming

Opening of Grand Central Branch, April Opening of Grand Central Branch, April 20092009

Job Search Central at SIBLJob Search Central at SIBL Children’s Center at 42Children’s Center at 42ndnd Street Street New circulation/reserve system (as of July New circulation/reserve system (as of July

66thth, 2009), 2009) Selling SIBL? Selling Mid-Manhattan?Selling SIBL? Selling Mid-Manhattan? Hubs planned, SI & upper Manhattan?Hubs planned, SI & upper Manhattan? Extended hours, until 11pm for some Extended hours, until 11pm for some

locationslocations

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QUEENS QUEENS

Population more than 2.2 millionPopulation more than 2.2 million Most ethnically diverse county in the Most ethnically diverse county in the

U.S.; nearly half the residents are U.S.; nearly half the residents are immigrantsimmigrants

More than one quarter of Queens’ More than one quarter of Queens’ residents are Hispanic (increased by residents are Hispanic (increased by 61% between 1990-2006)61% between 1990-2006)

Almost half of NYC’s Asian population Almost half of NYC’s Asian population lives in Queenslives in Queens

3131

QUEENS LIBRARYQUEENS LIBRARY

Formerly known as ‘Queens Formerly known as ‘Queens Borough Public Library’Borough Public Library’

Established in 1901 (except for Established in 1901 (except for Flushing, which remained Flushing, which remained independent until 1903)independent until 1903)

Many early “branches” Many early “branches”

were storefrontswere storefronts

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QUEENS LIBRARYQUEENS LIBRARY

Library Journal‘sLibrary Journal‘s 2009 Library of 2009 Library of the Yearthe Year

Highest circulation of any library Highest circulation of any library system in the U.S. (more than 21 system in the U.S. (more than 21 million items in 2008)million items in 2008)

Uses the phrase “Community Uses the phrase “Community Library” (CL) instead of “branch”Library” (CL) instead of “branch”

3333

QUEENS LIBRARY QUEENS LIBRARY VINTAGE PICSVINTAGE PICS

““Old” Central Library,Old” Central Library,Parsons Blvd., 1935Parsons Blvd., 1935

The QBPL Book Bus The QBPL Book Bus at St. Virgilius School, at St. Virgilius School, Broad Channel, 1937Broad Channel, 1937

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QL Programs & QL Programs & ServicesServices

(selected)(selected) New Americans Program (NAP) - for new New Americans Program (NAP) - for new

immigrants: collections and events/ immigrants: collections and events/ programs in various languages, English programs in various languages, English classes, info on becoming a U.S. citizenclasses, info on becoming a U.S. citizen

Demographer on staff to help determine Demographer on staff to help determine needs of each neighborhoodneeds of each neighborhood

Long Island Division – historical/archival Long Island Division – historical/archival records and pictures of Long Island, records and pictures of Long Island, Queens and BrooklynQueens and Brooklyn

3535

QL Programs & QL Programs & ServicesServices

(selected)(selected) Seven Adult Learning Centers (ALCs) – Seven Adult Learning Centers (ALCs) –

classes include literacy and ESLclasses include literacy and ESL Two JICs (Job Information Centers; Two JICs (Job Information Centers;

Central and Flushing)Central and Flushing) Mail-a-Book service Mail-a-Book service

for the homeboundfor the homebound(Queens Village CL)(Queens Village CL)

Weekly conference calls with Weekly conference calls with homebound seniors (also QV CL)homebound seniors (also QV CL)

3636

QUEENS LIBRARY QUEENS LIBRARY – in the works– in the works

Children's Library Children's Library

Discovery Center Discovery Center

at Central Library, at Central Library,

coming in 2010 (2011?)coming in 2010 (2011?)

3737

QUEENS LIBRARYQUEENS LIBRARYOUTREACHOUTREACH

Two outreach librarians for the Two outreach librarians for the whole borough (I am one of them)whole borough (I am one of them)

Venues include:Venues include: schools, libraries, rehab centers, senior schools, libraries, rehab centers, senior centers nursing homes, correctional centers nursing homes, correctional facilities, parole offices, YMCAs, facilities, parole offices, YMCAs, organizations that serve teens at risk, organizations that serve teens at risk, homeless sheltershomeless shelters

We also attend community meetings We also attend community meetings and Special Interest Group (SIG) and Special Interest Group (SIG) meetingsmeetings

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QUEENS LIBRARYQUEENS LIBRARYOUTREACHOUTREACH

Topics of presentations include:Topics of presentations include:– QL services (general)QL services (general)– QL services for seniorsQL services for seniors– QL services for persons with QL services for persons with

disabilitiesdisabilities– Education/entertainmentEducation/entertainment– Reminiscing (for seniors)Reminiscing (for seniors)– Local historyLocal history– JIC servicesJIC services– Job hunting (general and focused)Job hunting (general and focused)

Some are bilingual or even trilingualSome are bilingual or even trilingual

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For more information:For more information:

http://www.nypl.org (NYPL)http://www.nypl.org (NYPL) http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org (BPL)http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org (BPL) http://www.queenslibrary.org (QL)http://www.queenslibrary.org (QL) http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/pdf/http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/pdf/

about/PlanPublicService_FY05-FY08.pdf about/PlanPublicService_FY05-FY08.pdf (BPL’s plans)(BPL’s plans)

http://archrecord.construction.com/http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/080415NYPL.asp news/daily/archives/080415NYPL.asp (NYPL’s plans)(NYPL’s plans)

Wikipedia pages for NYPL, BPL and QLWikipedia pages for NYPL, BPL and QL

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Q & AQ & A

4141

Thank you and

good luck!