Anticipation is building as the summer moves along for fall’s anticipated reopening of the Greenpoint Library (107 Norman Ave.), which closed in July 2017 for demolition, and construction on the new library.
The fall relaunch is on-schedule as of now as explained at the Friends of Greenpoint Library meeting that was held on July 1st.
At the meeting, Sharon Kim, President of FOGL, introduced her new Co-President, Randy Locklair, and they generated ideas with the group for fundraising and outreach this summer. A bar night and book swap in early August is in the planning process.
While rainy weather in May and June hampered the construction of the new library a bit, but the masonry and interior framing is complete and “electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are well underway,” according to Ames O’Neil, project manager for the Greenpoint Library. The exterior cladding has also begun. and elevator and window installations are starting very soon. “We plan to open to the public in Fall 2019,” O’Neil said.
In separate but related news, the Greenpoint Environmental History Project is now complete, following the June launch event. The collection of scanned materials and oral histories is now available and covers the environmental history of the neighborhood including the Greenpoint Oil Spill.
In terms of interim service, the Brooklyn Public Library is continuing their Green Series monthly programs for kids and adults at Leonard Library (81 Devoe St.), and BPL is serving Greenpoint with the bookmobile, storytime at the YMCA, and a pop-up library at the Park Church Co-op.
Anyone interested in learning more or joining the FOGL group can email [email protected].