Bibliobus Returns to Sunset Park

Starting up again on November 18th, the Bibliobus will return to Sunset Park every Wednesday afternoon to share library services and Spanish language books with our community.

The location for the winter months will be in front of the Recreation Center at 7th Avenue and 43rd Street. It will be there from 1:30 PM to 4 PM.

You can sign up for a library card, return books from the Bibliobus or any Brooklyn Library branch, take out books, and even take out videos and CDs.

When the Park was Won - Excellent Photos and Information about the Park

The Then and Now series and the last few photos of Sunset Park in decades past have been some of the most popular posts on this site. They've also brought out some other history buffs around the neighborhood (and in farther flung places).

I received a lovely PDF link in my inbox from a neighbor. The PDF is the 1902 Annual Report for the Parks Department. It details work done on Sunset Park, as well as the acquisition of the space from 43rd to 44th Street - which completed the square footage of the Sunset Park we know today.

And here's the "rustic stairway" leading up to the park from 5th Avenue.



So cool.

Wicked Cool Link (and activity suggestion) of the Day

The Brooklyn Before Now posting on Thursday includes a photo of Sunset Park residents (I think it's on 5th Avenue and 44th) marching against crack. It's a photo that demonstrates just a touch of what many Sunset Park residents went through to better a community they loved. That's the part of the wonderful posting that relates directly to our fair neighborhood.

The gist of the entry provides information about an exhibit going on right now at the Grand Army Plaza location of the Brooklyn Public Library. Considering that we are living through the seeming disintegration of print media, visiting this exhibit might help us to remember why newspapers were (are?) so much more whole than on-line news sources. Without digital cameras or the ability to change/delete/revise even after publishing, a certain ownership of what it presented to the public reigns. Now there seems to be a lust to just rush to be first, and forget about being the best. Even the requirement of old that a reporter stay neutral has evaporated. I suppose scandals in reporting by folks like Stephen Glass and Jayson Blair didn't help. But I digress.

Check out the collection of photographs and other reminders of the reporting and photo-journalism that came out of The Prospect Press.

from the posting:

“Images From the Prospect Press” will be on display at the Brooklyn Collection of the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza, through August 29, 2009. It is free and open to the public. Check http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/ for the Brooklyn Collection’s hours.

Bibliobus Arrives in Sunset Park

Wednesday will be the first visit of the season for The Brooklyn Public Library's Bibliobus. Spanish language books and materials will be available for check-out and perusal. It will be in Sunset Park, at the 6th Avenue and 44th Street entrance, every Wednesday - starting tomorrow at 1:30 PM! See the Friends of Sunset Park website for more information.

This seems like the perfect time to remind everyone that the Brooklyn Public Library really needs some extra help right now. The fund-raising period has been extended through the end of June. Considering how many of us depend on the programs, books, services, classes, and activities offered by the Brooklyn Public Library, can't we spare a few bucks to help out?

from the BPL website:

Support our Shelves Campaign – Extended until June 30th!

There is still time to donate to your local library and support your community. The Support our Shelves campaign will help Brooklyn Public Library continue providing books, programs and services to all of our communities.

When you contribute, you decide which library to support, and how much to give. So please be shelf-ish!

Every donation, from one dollar to a thousand dollars, counts! Since March, individuals, local businesses, corporations and foundations have donated more than $280,202 towards our $300,000 goal! Each donation helps Brooklyn Public Library reach its goal of $300,000 to purchase books, DVDs and support educational and cultural program currently at-risk from large City and State budget cuts. Make a contribution today and show that Brooklyn Public Library is a community priority!

When you donate $50 or more, we will send you a bookplate that you can affix to a book of your choosing by seeing the librarian in your local branch.

Donate online, or call 718.230.2738.

Because all the reasons you use your library are all the reasons to give.

If you have any questions please call 718.230.2738 or email supportourshelves@brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

Neighbor, Can You Spare a Dollar? Fundraising for the Sunset Park Library

Help the Sunset Park Library reach its $5000 goal during the three-month fund-raising event for the Brooklyn Public Libraries. The Sunset Park Library has been "adopted" by the Revson Foundation, but I'm not sure if that means they'll match the amount raised or make sure we get to $5000. Either way, spare a dime or a dollar for our library. And if you do donate, make sure to specify it's for the Sunset Park Branch! See the information from the website below:

From March 1-May 31, donate to your local library and support your community. BPL's three-month Support Our Shelves campaign will help Brooklyn Public Library continue providing books, programs and services to all of our communities.

When you contribute, you decide which library to support, and how much to give. So please be shelf-ish!

Every donation, from one dollar to a thousand dollars, counts! And each donation helps us reach our goal of $300,000 to provide the materials that libraries around Brooklyn need.

When you donate $50 or more, we will send you a bookplate that you can affix to a book of your choosing by seeing the librarian in your local branch.

Donate online, or call 718.230.2738.

Because all the reasons you use your library are all the reasons to give.

If you have any questions please call 718.230.2738 or email supportourshelves@brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

Then and Now: PS 169

The year wasn't included in the photo's description, but it's a while ago. The facade and the decorative top makes the building look quite royal. The current state of the building isn't too different, but the top of the building has changed, as has the side entrance. Thankfully, the 7th Avenue entrance, complete with castle-like archway, remains.

Kidsmobile in Sunset Park - Tuesday at 10 AM

On Tuesday (every Tuesday throughout the summer) the Brooklyn Library Kidsmobile will bring stories, arts and crafts, books, and library cards to Sunset Park. Check it out from 10 AM to 11 AM near the Checker Tables. (They might park elsewhere tomorrow).

Then and Now: 44th Street Between 4th and 5th Avenues

This block is now busy with cars working their way up to 5th Avenue or through to New Utrecht/Fort Hamilton Parkways. It's also busy with people coming home or going to work thanks to the nearby R train stop. In this 1952 photo, it looks bare but neat. I love the guy standing in front of his building with his hands on his hips. That is definitely something that hasn't changed.

It's difficult to make a comparison due to the "new" trees lining this block. The brick facades have been replaced with subdued siding, and gas guzzling SUVs are popular...and they block the view as well.

Where Was the Kidsmobile Today?

I'm quite sure that I was much more interested in seeing the Kidsmobile today at 10 AM than my toddler was, but I think I did detect a glimmer of disappointment in his eyes. Not to worry, we ended up at the Library for story-time anyway. However, I was curious as to why it would dismiss Sunset Park on the second Tuesday of its summer run. So, of course, I called the handy-dandy information number.

Staff Meeting. The bane of work schedules everywhere. That was the explanation. It wasn't the sprinkling of rain at around 10 AM. It wasn't that the turnout was mainly adults and not children last week. It was simply a need to have the staff of the Brooklyn Library and its Kidsmobile get together for some informational time.

The good news is that from now on the Kidsmobile will be showing up at about 10 AM EVERY Tuesday for the rest of the summer.

Brooklyn Library Kidsmobile is in Sunset Park Tomorrow

On Tuesday (every Tuesday throughout the summer) the Brooklyn Library Kidsmobile will bring stories, arts and crafts, books, and library cards to Sunset Park. Check it out from 10 AM to 11 AM near the Checker Tables. (They might park elsewhere tomorrow).

Then and Now: St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church

Several months ago, I discovered (thanks to my better half) the Brooklyn Library's very cool collection of photographs from around Brooklyn. So, once in a while, and when I get decent photos from around the neighborhood, I'll try to do a version of a "Then and Now" comparison for Sunset Park. The first one, only because my photo of PS 169 didn't come out, is of 4th Avenue and 54th Street, looking at St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church. It hasn't actually changed that much, except for the gate and the new red multi-lingual sign. Enjoy.


This is stamped 1914. Notice it's also when Sunset Park was still considered Bay Ridge.

This is July 2008. Not much different. Even the size of the tree is more or less the same.

The Brooklyn Library's Kidsmobile Has Arrived

photos courtesy of Vanessa Velez, veesvision.com

Every Tuesday, from 10 AM - 11 AM, the Brooklyn Library Kidsmobile will be presenting arts and crafts, stories, and making books available in Sunset Park. Today, the Kidsmobile was set-up by the chess tables. You can check out books if you have a library card, and if you don't, you can apply for one at the Kidsmobile. For more information, and for the full Kidsmobile summer schedule, click here.