Branch History
Spring Creek Library is one of the most recent branches added to the BPL system. Opened in the summer of 1977 amid the fiscal austerities of the Beame administration, the branch initially offered limited hours and shared its staff with Canarsie Library. The single-story 7,500-square-foot facility was designed as a low-cost, energy-efficient building.
Located in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood, the branch now serves a diverse community of lifelong Brooklynites, along with a large immigrant community. Staff also serve two intermediate schools, seven elementary schools and several special or religious schools. During the afternoon, many children and young adults visit the library to complete class assignments. Senior citizens take advantage of the quieter morning hours, and other adult patrons produce a constant demand for continuing education materials. The most popular event, however, is Story Play, where young children listen to stories while interacting with toys.
Four housing developments—as well as Starrett City, one of the largest federally-assisted rental properties in the country, with nearly 6,000 units—lie within the neighborhood served by the branch.
Did you know?
Spring Creek Library is located near Spring Creek Nehemiah, a successful affordable homeowning development that has become a national model for affordable housing programs. The prefab homes were constructed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.