The Interim Library

Built in 1931, the former Sunset Park Court house is located on Fourth Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Street. It currently houses the interim Sunset Park Library since 2018, along with the headquarters of Community Board 7 and the office of New York Police Department’s main applicant processing division.

The Classical Revival-styled building was designed by Mortimer D. Metcalfe, the architect who assisted with the design of Grand Central Terminal. It is decorated with Ionic columns along the portico on its 42nd and 43rd Street facade and quoins with American Eagle capitals and moldings, in addition to a rich window treatment. In the past, the building was used by the magistrates’ and municipal courts and is currently one of the neighborhood’s remaining civic buildings. In 2001, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the former court house as one of Sunset Park’s historic landmarks. Until today, the structure is a monument that represents an era of prolific courthouse construction in New York City.

The Sunset Park Library, currently located in the former court house, is set to move to its original location in the near future. The relocation will leave the central space vacant and presents an opportunity to preserve and repurpose the space for the community’s benefit; its strategic location makes it an ideal space that could bring the Sunset Park community together. As the library’s interim location, the space has already been serving the local residents, and its potential to continue to do so remains high. With community-led planning, the central space could be transformed into a valuable community asset that benefits Sunset Park residents for years to come.

The Sunset Park library in Brooklyn has been a valuable resource for the community. Despite challenges such as technological changes, the library has persevered in providing community members with access to information, resources, and services. It has served as a hub for learning, growth, and connection, providing a wide range of opportunities. The Sunset Park library has played an important role in the community by providing a place for people of all backgrounds to come together and learn from one another.

Even when they had to use a temporary place, local residents continue to rely on its facilities and resources to enrich their lives. It is a testament to the enduring value of libraries in communities and their ability to provide resources and opportunities for anyone who seeks them.