My BPL Experience: The Good and The Meh

Image via businessinsider.comRecently, the Brooklyn Public Library put out their mobile app and I decided to give it a spin. Of course, nothing beats a trip over to the library itself, but no one wants to rush there to renew their copy of Moonlit Love Affair or whatever you guys are reading these days during a busy work week.

Overall the look and feel are decent, not the most beautiful app I’ve ever seen, but it’s certainly passable for the simple functionality and purpose.

THE GOOD:

Image Via the Brooklyn Public Library-Holds + Renews: Not only can you put a hold on a book you’ve been dying to read, but you can also renew through the app when you realize that you’ve been putting off that reading because you’ve made personal goals to plug through 14 seasons of SVU by April.

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Here's A Peek at Some Park Slope Library Renovations!

After shuttering its doors for renovations three years ago, the Park Slope branch of the Brooklyn Public Library finally re-opened yesterday (fully equipped with iPads for babies!) FiPS reader Emma sent along these before/after pics of the opalescent glass lay light ceiling over the library's mezzanine stacks, courtesy of the NYC Department of Design and Construction. Lookin' good, ceiling. Lookin' good.

Ribbons, Ipads and Babies: A Park Slope Library Story

 pic from thecelebritystone.com

Hey, remember when the Park Slope branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at 6th Ave and 9th Street was closed for renovations like, 150 years ago? Of course you don't -- it was before you were born. Well, we can all stop collectively holding our breaths because the library is re-opening for business today!  This epic event will include a Bluth-style ribbon-cutting ceremony, with G.O.B. Bluth Marty Markowitz wielding the giant scissors, and a book reading by legendary Brooklyn author Pete Hamill.  Lastly, we also just learned that iPads will be available for the neighborhood bebes at the new and improved location. That's right.

According to DNAinfo, the freshly-renovated digs will be equipped with four iPads for children ranging from 2-8 years-old. Rachel Payne, director of early childhood services for the Brooklyn Public Library, told DNAinfo that the iPad will be loaded with interactive picture book apps that will allow the kids to read and do hands-on activities with classic books like The Cat in the Hat and Harold and the Purple Crayon. This 9th Street location will be the first in the borough to have four of its 75 iPads devoted to very young readers. 

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Park Slope Library Opening Date Pushed Again

Last we heard, the Park Slope Library on 6th Avenue, which closed in August 2009 for renovations, was going to re-open for business over this year's Labor Day weekend. 

Brownstoner is now reporting that the opening date has been pushed to sometime "shortly after Labor Day," and that renovations will include "a new ramp, entrance, and furniture, as well as upgraded heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. It will also have new computer technology, free wireless, and self-check units."

The people (well, at least one person) of Park Slope have been vying for a new public place to watch porn, so let's hope that there are no more delays!

The Park Slope Library to Reopen September 2012. What changes do you hope to see?

Back in August 2009, it was announced that the Park Slope Library (located on the corner of 6th Ave and 8th Street) would be closing its doors for a well-needed renovation. Library and city officials announced necessary changes, including the addition of ramps and elevators for the handicapped. Heck, there was even talk of a new air conditioning system. The library would remained closed for a full year during the process. 

Well, we all know how that worked out. 

Countless delays, budget increases, and project reorganizations later, and we've finally got an opening date. The Park Slope Library will be open for business by the start of this Fall school year; Labor Day Weekend, September 2012. 

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