After a two-year closure, the Brooklyn Public Library will restore in-person services to the Carroll Gardens community with a temporary branch opening this July at 250 Baltic St. The space, a city-owned building currently used by Brooklyn Community Board 6, will serve as an interim location while the neighborhood’s historic library remains under renovation.
The Carroll Gardens Library, located at 396 Clinton St., first opened more than 120 years ago and closed in July 2023 for essential upgrades. Renovations include the addition of a dedicated teen space, improved lighting, fire safety enhancements, a modern HVAC system, and restoration of the building’s historic architectural features. Initially expected to reopen in 2025, the timeline has shifted to summer 2026 due to the need for further structural work to support new energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.
"This library is an incredibly important anchor for families across Carroll Gardens and beyond and so many of us have been missing its presence during the renovation," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes.
In response to community concerns, local officials and community partners coordinated efforts to provide a temporary solution. Funding for the pop-up branch was secured by Gounardes, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon and Council Member Shahana Hanif. IKEA Brooklyn has contributed furniture and supplies to help create a comfortable space for patrons.
“When libraries close, we lose more than books. We lose a culture of reading, joyful discovery and lifelong learning,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif.
The pop-up library is set to open in July, with the exact date to be confirmed. It will operate four days a week: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 pm, and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm. On Wednesdays, staff will host mobile programming throughout the neighborhood, including storytimes, book clubs and technology help sessions. Services at the temporary location will include book borrowing, returns, hold pickups, library card sign-ups and reference assistance.
The interim library will remain open until roughly four to six weeks before the renovated Carroll Gardens Library reopens in 2026. Local leaders and residents have welcomed the return of regular library services, especially for families and children who have felt the absence of a local branch during the closure.
