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 New Kensington library could be last branch built in Brooklyn

It's the library of the future — and it may be the last one built in Brooklyn.

The sleek $15 million book emporium opened last week on 18th Ave. in Kensington with glass walls, iPads, self-checkout machines, and computers.

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The environmentally friendly library was designed with large open spaces the public can use for meetings and programs, a construction intended to cater to visitors who are now more likely to gather with friends to study or do research rather than sit alone reading.

But the 18,500 square foot branch built on an empty lot is likely to be the last brand new one BPL ever opens as the system starts to head in a new direction.

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But it may be the last.

"In the future, I anticipate it would be more about using storefronts," said BPL president/CEO Linda Johnson.

Many of the library's 60 branch buildings were donated by tycoon Andrew Carnegie more than 100 years ago, and they are need of massive repairs.

There are more than $250 million in overdue fixes, including everything from crumbling roofs to faulty air condition systems.

But with only about $15 million a year allocated by the Bloomberg administration, the number continues to rise as conditions get worse.

That's forced the BPL to seek cheaper alternatives like preexisting storefront locations, as opposed to building new locations.

"We are starting to see what's available," she said, adding that any moves are in the early stages.

The new Kensington branch s stocked with mostly new 39,415 books and DVDs, 24 computers and two self-check machines.

It wi ll be getting three iPads for kids as soon as they are fitted with shell casings to prevent theft. Last month a sticky-fingered tablet thief stole an iPad from the Park Slope branch just two weeks after four of the devices were set-up.

"As peoples habits change so will we," Johnson said. "This is the first step to change our architecture to meet the way people are living and working today."

The Kensington branch was one of the BPL's most active locations.

In 2012, there were 104,700 items in circulation from that spot, ranking at the 10th highest in the entire system.

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"It's really beautiful," said City Councilman David Greenfield (D-Flatbush). "It's the future of libraries and well worth the visit for even those who don't live in the neighborhood."

rblau@nydailynews.com

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