Brooklyn Public Library - Canarsie Branch

New York City is building a brand new Canarsie Library on Rockaway Parkway in southeast Brooklyn, replacing the modest mid-20th century branch with an expansive, light-filled two-story facility that will nearly double the public space available for learning and community programs. Groundbreaking recently took place for the 11,000 square-foot branch designed by Studio Joseph in collaboration with Brooklyn Public Library, and it will be one of the city’s first public buildings constructed from mass timber, a sustainable and warm material that elevates the interior experience. The updated library will include dedicated areas for adults, teens, and children, a flexible meeting room that seats up to 50 people, a maker space with a recording studio, and a landscaped outdoor terrace that invites gatherings of all kinds. With solar panels, stormwater management systems, and abundant natural light throughout, the new Canarsie Library is shaping up to be a welcoming neighborhood anchor when it opens in 2027.