#tb 1914 & today: The atrium inside the Williamsburgh Branch Library in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
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Opened in 1905, the Williamsburgh Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library was one of several so-called Carnegie libraries that were built in New York City, across the nation, and around the world during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Constructed with funds from a $5.5 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, this library was one of Brooklynโs first to open and it is still in operation and serving the local community 117 years later.
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Note how the layout of the atrium has changed over the years with the reference desk that the children are all crowding around having been removed in favor of a new staircase to the upper balcony area. One thing I do find a bit sad is how deserted the atrium was when I visited to take the present-day photo. The old photo shows a lively scene with children all engrossed in reading their books and as well as the men upstairs who are also reading as well as browsing. To see the scene desolate today was painful, but while exploring the rest of the building I noticed there were people reading in the adjacent rooms as well as kids in the childrenโs room, so perhaps I just went at a moment when the atrium was empty. Either way, if you live in New York City I urge you to make use of your local public library. Practically every neighborhood in every borough has one and within their walls are treasure troves of knowledge and information about the massive world around us. I know I would not be who I am today nor would this page have ever existed if I hadnโt frequently visited my local library sicne I was a kid.
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