Clarendon Library - History

Branch History

Clarendon Library was established in 1913 as an unstaffed deposit station in Markland’s Drug Store on Clarendon Road at Nostrand Avenue. By 1954 it was a full-service branch operating at its current location.

In 1990, Clarendon Library reopened to the public after closing for two years while a new building was constructed. The new library won an Art Commission Award for Excellence, and it’s easy to see why: Clarendon boasts a sky-lit reading room, an outdoor recreational courtyard and distinctive window guards and gates.

Patrons of Clarendon Library are big fans of the branch’s free programming for people of all ages. Some favorites include Teen Tech Time, Microsoft Office classes and, for the under-five crowd, Story Play.

Did you know?

Don’t be surprised to find yourself rubbing shoulders with college students at Clarendon; Brooklyn College is just a few blocks away!