NYC Gazette

Situated on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, the Sunset Park Library exemplifies what Iris Weinshall, NYU Wagner’s distinguished visiting urbanist, refers to as "social infrastructure." This community resource has evolved to meet the changing needs of its neighborhood. Originally opened in 1905 with funding from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, it was replaced in 1972 by a utilitarian building named after then-Mayor John Lindsay.

In November 2023, the library underwent significant renovations. The two-story branch now features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide natural light on each floor, a video conferencing room, children's areas, a recording studio for teenagers, lockers with laptops available for borrowing, and stroller parking spaces.

Weinshall is currently co-teaching an elective course titled "Infrastructure in Action" with David Woloch at NYU. The course focuses on New York City’s parks, streets, and libraries. Recently, they led students on a tour of the newly renovated 20,000-square-foot Sunset Park facility. The library sits beneath a new condominium offering 49 permanently affordable apartments—a result of negotiations involving city-owned air rights and community engagement.

The course explores how tax-supported infrastructure was originally built and how it is maintained today. It includes guest speakers who are urban planners and field visits such as one planned to a Queens traffic control center. Readings include works like "The Power Broker" by Robert Caro and "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" by Jane Jacobs.

"We’re focusing on social infrastructure," says Weinshall. She explains that libraries now provide essential resources beyond books and periodicals in multiple languages. They offer technology access like DVDs and WiFi along with classes in English language and basic computing skills.

The redesign of libraries requires cooperation among various stakeholders within the city—similar to other public realms like curb space which face competition from CitiBike stations or sidewalk restaurant sheds.

After touring Sunset Park Library's facilities guided by Weinshall herself during their class trip last week (photos courtesy David Song), students expressed appreciation for understanding complex issues involved when modernizing public spaces; this hands-on experience complements theoretical knowledge gained through coursework back at NYU Tandon School where Madison Buchholz studies Applied Urban Science & Information noted how beneficial getting out into real-world environments can be compared purely classroom-based learning experiences alone!