What's Happening in Brooklyn, NY…

A recent report by the Center for an Urban Future (CUF) shows that necessary repairs to the city’s libraries will cost $1.1bn. Library stakeholders contend that this would be a good time to combine repairing with redesigning these buildings to increase function.

Over the years, the function of libraries has changed to meet the public’s changing needs, and with so many of New York City’s public libraries in need of repair, the question of taking library design to the next level is being considered.

Among the city’s libraries, Brighton Beach is one of those in need of repair, since staff must relocate a bank of computers whenever it rains, due to a leaky roof.

Five interdisciplinary design teams have been charged with coming up with ideas for redesigning libraries to increase function. A design team under the leadership of Marble Fairbanks has drawn up a redesign for the Brighton Beach branch that includes adding retail space and even housing.

Additionally, the team said there was the potential for the library to be added to the city’s resiliency plan. Its proximity to the water means it could be designated an emergency center, which would enable it to be eligible for resiliency funding.

Libraries, with help from brochure printers, already provide the public with a variety of informative literature, some of which advises emergency procedures.