Brooklyn Public Library – Macon Library

Today I am visiting with my teenage son as we search for books for his August reading list. It’s beautiful here. The décor is classic and the history is rich. This two story library still has the original eye catching cherry wood fireplace from 1907.
The staff is extremely helpful and professional. This library houses the American Heritage Center, renamed as The Dionne Mack-​Harvin Center, at Macon Library and contains material on African American history and culture as well as the «Preserving Footsteps» collection. All public computers have genealogical databases includes
The Macon Library was chosen as one of the top 5 branch libraries in New York City in 2014.
My concern are the patrons. The majority of the patrons no longer value the functionality and sanctity of a library. No one is quiet, everyone is on their cell phones, children are unsupervised and security seems to struggle to restore order… I’m a reader and a lover of literature and prose, this place is not a haven to indulge that love affair.
But wait there is hope .
The African American Heritage Center is the complete opposite… it is closed off from the rest of the library and you must be 18 or older to enter. That space is still warm and inviting and a serene space to indulge your love of books, to research your family tree, and to enjoy classic African American literature including James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Gwendolyn Brooks, this is the sole reason that I still patronize this location.
The wifi is awesome. The children’s selection of books range from the classics «Good Night Moon» to the modern «Diary of A Whimpy Kid» series. Lap tops are available for use. You can reserve books and request that books be delivered here from other neighborhood libraries if they are unavailable at this branch.
There are several activities scheduled throughout the week that are family friendly and Macon Branch Library is located around the corner from our home.
And all you need is a card.

My neighborhood library! I loved taking my toddler to the classes. I cannot review how the library is outside of the classes but Ms. T was the best!

If you’re looking for a nice peaceful place to catch up on work or just simply read a book… DON’T COME HERE. I simply utilize this library because it’s the closest to my house and I have weak wifi connection. loud children, people on their phones. Really? Is this a library or the local hangout spot? People who work there are pretty helpful but come on. Have some order in here! Another thing that annoys me about this location is the amount of people who use the computer for shit like Facebook! When I’m actually trying to type and print a paper I have to wait for someone to finish checking their Facebook messages. Ugh… 2 stars for the amazing wifi

We raised our kids on Long Island and were lucky to have access to a small, but wonderful library. It was well stocked with books, audiobooks, movies and research materials. The Macon Street library is located in a much more beautiful building, but sadly lacks materials. I hope that the city library system wakes up and begins to stock this historic library with more materials. We pay the same taxes as everyone else and deserve the same access to goods as any other library located in more affluent areas.

Coming from a bunch of PWI institutions with top-​notch libraries, this one left much to be desired. HOWEVER, I have and will continue to go there for the following reasons: 1) It is only 2 blocks from my house so it’s very convenient.
2) I study best when there’s background noise-​in this case, perfect as there is always, and I do mean ALWAYS plenty of chatter, kids running around, etc.
3) I can get all my interlibrary loan holds from here
4) The little room in the back rocks my world. Provides an excellent change of pace and it’s a perfect nook for when I’m facing a deadline. Until school lets out… then it’s mad house central.
All in all, it’s an okay library. Not the best but definitely not the worst. Oh and definitely don’t leave your belongings unattended. You would think that’s common-​sense but apparently that’s not too common…

I’m going to sound elitist, and I hate to sound so, but I can’t help it when it comes to certain things. And a library is one of them. What was once a bastion for learning, research and development as well as a safe refuge for the youth, elderly and others has turned into the spot to check Facebook messages, watch idiotic YouTube videos and have private (snicker) cell phone calls. Mind you, I don’t have a problem with people doing these things (well, not the last one) occasionally, but when I’m trying to study or read and don’t feel like being at home to do so (as ironically I’m trying to escape those same diversions at home!) I’d like some quiet! But, I suppose that’s too much to ask.
All that said, it’s apparent the Macon staff are trying their best to accommodate everyone’s needs, and as they’ve actually had some stuff in print that I needed I can’t and won’t ‘ish all over their branch or the BPL system on a whole. I truly do appreciate the the library is here at all, and would rather have it with some issues than to not have it at all.

This library is located in my neighborhood of Bed-​Stuy. I’ve always gone to the Dekalb Branch over in Bushwick but recently I’ve discovered this one and it isn’t so far away from me either. I definitely prefer this one over the Dekalb one mainly because I always felt like the Dekalb workers were looking at me every time I went in there and it made me feel uncomfortable. If I’m going inside a library, I really don’t want to be noticed. Everyone should mind their own business.
Anyways, this library is really busy with a lot of the locals coming in and also moms and their children. I really like this branch; it feels really inviting and homy.
(BTW I wouldn’t do serious studying here since it can get noisy.)

I went to three different Bed-​Stuy area Brooklyn Public Librarys in one day and this one sucked the least. On a hot summer day, this location had wonderful air conditioning blasting through every corner of the building. On the main floor, there are the most comfortable chairs (only four of them) at the end of each book shelf. Try to get one of those. If not, you’re stuck with those hard, stiff wooden chairs in the corners. The top level is tiny. The basement is the bathrooms. The down side to this place is that it’s close to a school, so if you go midday, there are screaming kids there. It’s not quiet. In fact, I would venture to believe it’s never quiet. (a library! go figure). The staff (as with any New York City public government agency) is rude, lazy and irritated at life, so try to ignore them and go about your business. For anyone who didn’t grow up in New York City, this is a joke of a library (as far as size and volume.) I mean, literally, I can go on a $ 500 shopping spree at Strand or
and end up with more books than this library. Go there, get your book and leave.

I get my holds here. But man I always get fines down there for books I’ve returned! Oh wells.