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Bronx Library Center Information

Branch History

The Bronx Library Center is the largest public library in the Bronx, with extensive collections of print and non-print materials for adults, young adults, and children. The Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center is also housed here.

The Fordham Library Center of The New York Public Library opened to the public in 1923. Because of the need for expanded reference services for the borough, the Bronx Reference Center was added to the branch in 1931. By the 1950s the library had become overcrowded due to population growth in the area and the success of the Bronx Reference Center. The original building was renovated, and the new and expanded Fordham reopened in 1956. The Fordham Library Center closed its doors in November 2005 to pave the way for the bigger and more beautiful Bronx Library Center, which opened January 17, 2006.

Click here to watch a short video about the Bronx Library Center’s green features.

Collections & Services

Concourse Level

Auditorium
A fully A/V-equipped 150-seat auditorium with theatrical lighting.

Center for Reading and Writing
Literacy improvement for adult new readers of English. The Center for Reading and Writing offers small classes, tutoring, and computer-based instruction in reading and writing for adults. Books are available for borrowing by individuals and classes.

Technology Training Center
Click On @ the library computer training site. Instruction on computer use is provided. Prior appointment is required for admission. Call 718-579-4229 for more information.

Main Floor

Teen Center
Books and magazines for ages 12-18 are available for borrowing. Personal computers and software for free public use by appointment. Plasma monitor along with audio equipment keeps this area lively. Young adults are also able to do their homework, talk, play chess, or read.

Media Collection
A large assortment of DVDs, videos, CDs, audiotapes, books on tape, and CD-ROMs are available for borrowing.

New Books Collection
New books on a wide variety of topics are prominently displayed in the center of the floor.

Second Floor

Children's Services
The children's room provides a full range of educational resources for and about children. A large collection of books and materials are available for borrowing. Personal computers and software for use by appointment.

Cultural and arts programming in a new story hour room with a puppet theatre, state of the art A/V equipment, a television, and a DVD/VCR

After-school programs, including homework assistance

Family literacy programs and parent workshops in family math activities for preschoolers

Third Floor

Adult Books Collection
A large number of adult books on a wide variety of topics are located on this floor. Periodicals from scholarly journals to current popular magazines are found near the reading room. Microfiche and microform readers are located in the center of the room. Internet access for free public use by appointment is available.
Services to Persons with Disabilities
Librarian skilled in American Sign Language (ASL) is available to give assistance by appointment only. Conference room offers the following assistive technology to the public:

Personal Reading Machine - scans printed text and reads aloud in synthetic speech

Telecommunications devices for the deaf (TTY) are available for borrowing

TTY service is available

Closed Circuit Television Enlarger (CCTV) - enlarges printed material 45-60 times

Computer screen magnifying software available (MAGIC)

Computer screen reading software (JAWS)

Fourth Floor

Bronx Reference Center
The largest reference library available to the public in the Bronx. Its collection is strong in business, law, and literature. Four dozen computer workstations with Internet access are available for free public use by appointment.

The Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center
The Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center features:

Extensive circulating and reference bilingual collections reflecting both individuals' cultural experiences and the broader Latino experience

Educational and cultural programs and multimedia exhibitions highlighting the realities, aspirations, and accomplishments of Latino and Puerto Rican people in the United States and throughout the world

Fifth Floor

Career and Educational Information Service (CEIS)
Offers career and educational counseling by appointment or walk-in. Computers and accompanying software are available.

Programs

Special programs for adults and teenagers
English Classes for Speakers of Other Languages held during fall, winter, and spring
Story hours and other activities for children
Class visits by appointment

Other Neighborhood Branches

Area Branches

Belmont
Jerome Park
Mosholu
Van Nest

Community Information

Basic community services are listed below. For other local agencies, see The New York Public Library's Directory of Community Services.

Community Board
Community Board # 7		1990 and 2000 Demographic Statistics
Elected Officials - Local
NYC Council District # 15	NYS Assembly District # 78	NYS Senate District # 33	U.S. Congress District # 16
Fire and Police Departments
Fire: Engine 48, Ladder 56 2417 Webster Avenue 10458 Engine 79, Ladder 37 2929 Briggs Avenue 10458		Police: 52nd Precinct 3016 Webster Avenue 10467 718-220-5811
Local Hospitals: St. Barnabas Hospital 4422 Third Avenue (East 183rd Street ) 10457 718-430-7300		Union Hospital of the Bronx 260 East 188th Street 10458 718-220-2020
Parks and Playgrounds: Bronx Zoo - Wildlife Conservation Park Bronx River Parkway, Fordham Road 10460 718-367-1010 Poe Park 2640 Grand Concourse 10458		The New York Botanical Garden East 200th Street, Southern Boulevard 10458 718-817-8500 St. James Park East 193rd Street, Jerome Avenue
Post Office: Fordham Station 465 East 188th Street 10458 718-584-7240
Schools: Public (Community School Board Districts list)
Elementary Schools: PS 9 - Ryer Avenue Elementary School (1-5) 230 East 183rd Street 10458 718-584-3291 Region 1, District 10		PS 33 - Timothy Dwight School (K-5) 2424 Jerome Avenue 10468 718-584-3926 Region 1, District 10
PS 46 - Edgar Allan Poe School (K-5) 279 East 196th Street 10458 718-584-4450 Region 1, District 10		PS/IS 54 (1-5) 2703 Webster Avenue 10458 718-584-4203 Region 1, District 10
PS 85 - Great Expectations School (K-5) 2400 Marion Avenue 10458 718-584-5275 Region 1, District 10		PS 209 (Kindergarten only) 313 East 183rd Street 10458 718-364-0085 Region 1, District 10
PS 246 - Poe Center (K-6) 2641 Grand Concourse 10458 718-584-6764 Region 1, District 10
Other Elementary Schools in Region 1, District 10
Intermediate Schools: IS 254 (6-8) 2452 Washington Avenue 10458 718-220-8700 Region 1, District 10		MS 391 (6-8) 2225 Webster Avenue 10457 718-584-0980 Region 1, District 10
MS 399 (6-8) 120 East 184th Street 10468 718-584-0350 Region 1, District 10
Other Intermediate Schools in Region 1, District 10
High Schools: Belmont Preparatory High School 500 East Fordham Road 10458 718-733-8100		Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy 500 East Fordham Road 10458
Bronx High School of Law and Community Service 500 East Fordham Road 10458 718-733-8100		Fordham High School for the Arts 500 East Fordham Road 10458 718-733-8100
Fordham Leadership Academy, Business and Technology 500 East Fordham Road 10458 718-733-8100		Theodore Roosevelt High School 500 East Fordham Road 10458 718-733-8100
Other High Schools in Region 1, District 10
Other Schools/Programs: Alternative Programs in the Bronx Charter Schools in the Bronx Special Education Programs in the Bronx
College: Lehman College (CUNY) 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West 10468 718-960-8131
Private/Parochial
Elementary/Intermediate Schools: Our Lady of Mercy School (Pre K-8) 2512 Marion Avenue 10458 718-367-0237		Our Lady of Refuge School (Pre K-8) 2708 Briggs Avenue 10458 718-367-3081
St. Simon Stock School (K-8) 2195 Valentine Avenue 10457 718-367-0453
High Schools: Academy of Mount Saint Ursula (Girls) 330 Bedford Park Boulevard 10458 718-364-5353		Fordham Preparatory School (Boys) East Fordham Road 10458 718-367-7500
Private/Parochial: Jewish Schools in the Bronx (Lookstein Center for Jewish Education in the Diaspora) Parochial Schools in the Bronx (Archdiocese of New York) Private Schools listings (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York)
Colleges: Fordham University 441 East Fordham Road 10458 718-817-1000		Monroe College 2501 Jerome Avenue 10468 718-933-6700