Air Conditioner Goes Out At Flatbush Library, Altering Summer Hours

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — The air conditioner at the Flatbush Library has gone out, and the Brooklyn Public Library branch is offering limited hours for the rest of the summer as a result.

The library will be open only until 1 p.m. through October 2, according to a sign posted outside of the branch, which is on Linden Boulevard between Flatbush and Bedford avenues.

While the A/C won't be back this summer, it is expected to be "fully repaired" in time for summer 2018, a representative for the library told Patch in an email. "The Flatbush branch is also within half of a mile of four other branches that patrons can use if they're feeling hot," spokeswoman Camonghne Felix added.

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The branch will continue to serve summer meals from noon until 12:45 p.m., Felix said.

The building was built in 1905, Felix said, adding that "a full and long-lasting repair will require significant time." The fix will use $1.5 million in capital funds.

"We want to inconvenience our patrons as little as possible, so in this instance, slow and steady is a much better fix than trying to do it all at once," Felix said.

City Councilman Mathieu Eugene's office said it had heard from "many residents" and has been "in conversation with the library" about the issue. A Facebook post on a neighborhood page about the library has nearly 30 comments, many from people who were shocked about the development.

"We have been kicked out twice in the past month when they have closed early due to heat. Another time we went, they were closed. Such a bummer - it's so close to our house," one user wrote.

"Why can't they buy portable a.c. units as a temporary solution? Is it because there is no place to place the exhaust vent? Someone can solve this problem, I'm guessing. Just a thought!" another said.

A picture on the page showed a thermometer reading 93 degrees inside the branch.

Alvin Berk, the chair of Community Board 14, told Patch the board has "reached out to central administration at the Brooklyn Public Library about the loss of air conditioning at the Flatbush Branch."

"We'll continue to monitor progress on this high-priority issue until it's resolved," he said.

Image via Google Streetview