Brooklyn Library Closes Branches Amid COVID Staffing Shortages

BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklyn Public Library has shuttered several of its branches amid staffing shortages caused by the coronavirus crisis.

The library system said Monday that COVID-related staff shortages will mean altered hours or closures at its locations across the borough. Library-goers were advised to check the BPL's map before visiting their local libraries.

"Like many organizations and businesses in the city, we are working very hard to keep patrons and staff safe, temporarily adjusting hours or closing branches as needed while the highly transmissible COVID variant remains prominent," a library spokesperson said.

As of Monday afternoon, 10 branches were shuttered for COVID reasons. That is in addition to several libraries that are closed for renovations or other reasons.

The library branches closed will change as staff members come out of quarantine, the spokesperson said.

Even during the closures, patrons are advised to continue to check out materials online, attend free virtual programs and classes, stop by other branches or even hear a bedtime story by phone.

Here's a list of the closed locations as of Monday:

• Bay Ridge Library
• Canarsie Library
• Clarendon Library
• Cortelyou Library
• Fort Hamilton Library
• Homecrest Library
• Leonard Library
• Midwood Library
• Red Hook Library
• Sheepshead Bay Library

The closures come amid an ongoing spike in coronavirus cases driven by the omicron variant. The surge has also created staff shortages at the MTA, leading to subway changes, in recent weeks.

On Sunday, there were 518 new hospitalizations and 30,449 new coronavirus cases across the five boroughs, according to city data.