Brooklyn’s Hottest Nightlife Spot This Weekend: The Library

Summary

All Of It: Brooklyn’s Hottest Nightlife Spot This Weekend – The Library

Host: Alison Stewart
Episode Release Date: March 5, 2025
Duration: Approximately 17 minutes

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Introduction: Expanding the Role of Libraries

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the multifaceted role of modern libraries, focusing on the Brooklyn Public Library's (BPL) innovative approaches to community engagement and cultural enrichment. The episode centers around the upcoming "Night in the Library" event, highlighting how libraries have evolved into vibrant cultural hubs offering much more than just books.

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Spotlight on "Night in the Library"

[00:31] Alison Stewart introduces the “Night in the Library” event, emphasizing its significance beyond traditional library activities. She sets the stage for an engaging conversation with Adjoa Adousi, the manager of BPL's new Library for Arts and Culture.

[02:20] Adjoa Adousi expresses enthusiasm about the event:
“It's been going on, like you said, it's like in its 10th year, and it's a way for people to sort of see behind the curtains.”
This annual event transforms the library into a lively nighttime venue, fostering face-to-face interactions and creative expression among patrons.

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Breaking Down the Event Theme

The theme for this year’s event is "The Sky Above Brooklyn, the Philosophy of the Sublime." Alison Stewart probes into the meaning behind this theme.

[03:01] Adjoa Adousi explains:
“It's definitely about sort of unwinding and unhooking from our devices and meeting one another face to face in the library.”
The event aims to create an environment where attendees can disconnect from digital distractions and engage in meaningful, in-person interactions through various artistic and cultural activities.

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Diverse Activities and Artistic Expressions

The Night in the Library event offers a plethora of activities, including music, dance, talks, poetry, psychotherapy sessions, clothing mending, and even recreating bird sounds. Adjoa highlights the integration of art and community well-being:

[04:07] Adjoa Adousi shares her excitement about artist Katie Mertz's contributions:
“She's also done the murals at the New Library for Arts and Culture. So I'm excited to see what she brings out for night at the library.”
Additionally, there will be ER doctors from Amandi conducting storytime sessions focused on care and healing, underscoring the library's commitment to holistic community support.

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Listener Participation and Community Engagement

Alison Stewart invites listeners to share their experiences with non-book library items, fostering a sense of community involvement. Several callers participate, showcasing the library's extensive resources:

• Charles from Merrick, Long Island discusses borrowing DVDs and Blu-rays for educational and family events.
• Robin from Irvington mentions accessing museum passes and reciprocal museum visits through the library.
• Stephanie from Southampton highlights borrowing unique items like lawn signs and backyard games.

These interactions illustrate the library’s role as a comprehensive resource center catering to diverse interests and needs.

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Innovative Library Resources Beyond Books

The episode delves into various innovative services offered by BPL:

Musical Instrument Lending Library

[06:35] Adjoa Adousi introduces the Musical Instrument Lending Library, available at Central Library, Grand Army Plaza:

“We have string instruments, some percussive instruments, mostly things that are small and that you can carry with you.”
Patrons can borrow instruments for up to three weeks, promoting musical education and creativity within the community.

Recording Studios

BPL's recording studios provide a space for aspiring musicians and podcasters to create content. Adjoa notes:

“You can just walk in and talk to the people at the front desk.”
Accessible to all library cardholders, the studios support a wide range of creative projects.

Public Song Project

The Public Song Project encourages community members to create songs based on public domain materials. Adjoa elaborates on available resources:

“Sheet music from artists like Bessie Smith or Louis Armstrong. Those are documents that are also available within our catalog.”
This project fosters cultural preservation and artistic expression by utilizing the library's rich collection.

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Library for Arts and Culture: A New Collaborative Space

The conversation shifts to the recently opened Library for Arts and Culture at the Elton Arts Cultural Center in downtown Brooklyn. Adjoa Adousi describes it as a pioneering space where multiple cultural institutions collaborate:

“It's the first first of its kind where four cultural institutions are coming together under one roof to put on programming.”
Partnering with the Mokada Museum, 651 Arts, and BAM, this library serves as a central hub for 20th and 21st-century art, music, film, and fine arts.

Adjoa expresses excitement about the library's adaptability and responsiveness to community needs:

“It's been about seeing how people are reacting when they come in and learning about not holes in our collection, but ways in which we can grow our collection.”

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Expanding Access and Inclusivity

Callers like Yesha, a children's librarian, emphasize the library's inclusive services, such as borrowing board games and accessing museum passes. Yesha passionately advocates for giving Brooklyn Public Library the recognition it deserves alongside New York Public Library.

[16:25] Adjoa Adousi wraps up with a powerful statement on the library’s universal appeal:
“The library is a great place because everyone is welcome there. Period. Full stop. And it's absolutely free.”

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Conclusion: Libraries as Cultural Epicenters

This episode of All Of It effectively showcases the Brooklyn Public Library's transformation into a dynamic cultural epicenter. Through events like "Night in the Library," innovative lending programs, and collaborative spaces like the Library for Arts and Culture, BPL exemplifies how modern libraries serve as vital community hubs fostering creativity, education, and inclusivity.

Listeners are encouraged to explore these diverse offerings, participate in community-driven projects, and recognize the library's pivotal role in enriching New York City's vibrant cultural landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• Adjoa Adousi [03:01]: “It's definitely about sort of unwinding and unhooking from our devices and meeting one another face to face in the library.”

• Adjoa Adousi [04:07]: “She's also done the murals at the New Library for Arts and Culture. So I'm excited to see what she brings out for night at the library.”

• Adjoa Adousi [06:35]: “We have string instruments, some percussive instruments, mostly things that are small and that you can carry with you.”

• Adjoa Adousi [16:25]: “The library is a great place because everyone is welcome there. Period. Full stop. And it's absolutely free.”

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Additional Resources:

• Event Information: Visit bklynlibrary.org for more details on the Night in the Library event.
• Library for Arts and Culture: Explore collaborative programming at the new library space in downtown Brooklyn.
• Public Song Project: Learn how to participate at wnyc.org/publicsongproject.

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This summary encapsulates the rich discussions and insights shared in the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and those interested in the evolving role of libraries in modern culture.

Transcript

[Carnegie Hall]

WNYC Studios is supported by Carnegie hall, which presents the American Composers Orchestra, featuring works by Alice Coltrane and Tonya Leon and premieres by Edmar Castaneda, Clarice Assad and more. March 10th [e-mail] listener supported WNYC studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on WNYC. I'm Alison Stewart. It's time to start reading our March get lit with all of it book club selection. We are reading Mothers and Sons by Adam Hayslett. The novel follows a New York City based asylum lawyer named Peter. He's gay and he became estranged from his mother after a night of violence 20 years ago tore their relationship apart. But now Peter is faced with the case of a young gay man that reminds him of what happened that night and the secret he and his mother share. I will be in conversation with author Adam Hayslett and you on Wednesday, April 2nd at the New York Public Library, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Branch. To get your tickets and learn how to borrow your E copy from our partners at the New York Public Library, head to wnyc.org getlit now. Tickets are free, but they tend to sell out quickly, so reserve yours today. Again, that's wnyc.org getlit now. That's about a month from now at the New York Public Library. But right now, let's get this hour started with the Brooklyn Public Library. Have you ever dreamt of spending a night in the library? This Saturday you can at the Brooklyn Public Library. And there'll be a whole lot more than just books there. BPL's Night in the Library event is this Saturday from 7pm to 2am it's the 10th year and the theme is the Sky Above Brooklyn, the Philosophy of the Sublime. All throughout the main branch at Grand Army Plaza, there'll be music, dance talks, poetry, even psychotherapy, clothes, mending a man, recreating sounds of birds. Joining me now with a preview is Adoa sorry, Adjoha Adousi, manager of the BPL's new library for Arts and Culture. Adjoah, welcome.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Thank you so much, Allison.

[Alison Stewart]

Since we're talking about how libraries can be so much more than just books, we want to know from our listeners, this is the call out. What is something you've taken out of a library that isn't a book bribe? Bookland Public Library has lots more available to you. It could be an instrument, an album, a tool, an article of clothing or something we didn't think of. Let us know. 2124-3396-9221-2433, wnyc. You can call in and join us on the air or you can text to us at that number. 212-433-9692. So this year's theme is the sky of Bob. The philosophy of the Sublime. Can you break that down?

[Adjoa Adousi]

Oh, wow. It's very. It's definitely about sort of unwinding and unhooking from our devices and meeting one another face to face in the library. Talking things down, talking things through. Whatever's going on in our world today, just really thinking through together.

[Alison Stewart]

I went through that list of things. I went on the library's website and I was like, oh, you can do this. Oh, you can hang out with dogs. Oh, music. Oh, there's psychotherapy. Oh, there's a man imitating bird songs. When you think of all of these things together, how do they all fit together?

[Adjoa Adousi]

That's a really good question. I feel like it's almost overwhelming, but in the best way possible. So not overwhelming in the way that the news can be today, but overwhelming in sort of the artistic outlets that we have at our disposal at any given time. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

So how will the activities be organized?

[Adjoa Adousi]

They're in time chunks, essentially. So 30 minutes an hour. And it's all throughout the library at central, central location.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Anything that you are particularly excited about?

[Adjoa Adousi]

I definitely want to see Katie Mertz's work, the installation that she. Katie Mertz.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Katie Mertz. You mean who did our windows downstairs and our bags.

[Alison Stewart]

Our centennial bags.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Exactly. She's also done the murals at the New Library for Arts and Culture. So I'm excited to see what she brings out for night at the library. And then also we have some ER doctors from Amandi's who will be doing a moth like storytime session to talk about care and healing.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

This is the big picture. Question is, why does this event. Why does this event make sense at a library?

[Adjoa Adousi]

Well, it's been going on, like you said, it's like in its 10th year, and it's a way for people to sort of see behind the curtains. It's obviously larger scale than we ever do at most libraries, but it's, you know, the library is a place for people to gather and we're doing it on the largest scale possible, so it just makes sense.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Is the event free?

[Adjoa Adousi]

The event is absolutely free.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Do I need a BPO library card to get in?

[Adjoa Adousi]

You don't need a card to get in, but you can create a card while you're there. You can check out books while you're there. You can check out some of our LPs. It's first come, first serve.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

And how can people learn more?

[Adjoa Adousi]

Definitely. Go to our website bklynlibrary.org to learn more.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I'm speaking to librarian Odoa Associi about the Brooklyn Public Library's Night in the Library this Saturday. We're also talking about their instrumental and music resources as well as the Public Song Project we will be talking about in just a moment. And we are taking your calls. Tell us about something that you've taken out of the library that wasn't a book. Our number is 212-433-WNYC 212-433-9692. So while you're here today, we wanted to talk about the BPL's year round resources. Each year around this time, we invite listeners to submit songs based on things in the public domain. We call it the Public Song Project. And for the last couple of years the BPL has been a partner with us and we pointed out to people, how about all these non book resources that you have that they might not know about? Tell people what's available to them.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Yes. So for inspiration on the Public Song project, you can come in for sheet music, you can come in for musical instruments to borrow. Both of those things are available at Central Library. You can check out vinyl at Central and soon at Library for Arts and Culture as well. Yeah, those are the top three things. And then obviously books and you know about musicians and music.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Well, one of the unique things about the library is the Musical Instrument Lending Library. Tell us a little bit more about that.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Sure. Yes. That's coming out of Central and it's been.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

And Central means Grand.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Yeah, Grand Armory Plaza. It's been going on for a few years now as one of the first sort of items that you could check out from the library that wasn't a book.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

And how does it work?

[Adjoa Adousi]

So you will need your library card and you go to Central and request the item and then I believe the checkout is still three weeks that you can have the item on loan and then you also return the item back to Central.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

And what kind of instruments are we talking about?

[Adjoa Adousi]

A little bit of everything. So we have string instruments. Sorry, water. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Ado Adoise is the manager of the BPL's Library for Arts and Culture. She's joining us. Take a sip of water.

[Adjoa Adousi]

String instruments, some percussive instruments, mostly things that are small and that you can carry with you.

[Alison Stewart]

We got some great text. This says my library in Lynbrook has a telescope to Borrow. That's exciting. This one says fishing equipment. Let's talk to Charles from Merrick, Long Island. Hi, Charles.

[Charles]

Yeah, hey, how you doing?

[Alison Stewart]

Doing great.

[Charles]

You're on the longtime listener, first time caller.

[Alison Stewart]

Nice.

[Charles]

So, you know, I maybe I was saying to your call receiver that I may be dating myself, but I use our local libraries here in Merrick for DVDs. Blu Rays also use them, you know, for other resources, legal documents and things. But. But I regularly take out the DVDs, and my wife and I are going to my daughter's elementary school today. Not today, on Friday. They're having what's called International Night. And we've taken out a couple of DVDs on Buddhism, which my wife is immigrated, she's Buddhist. And we'll be showing the movie Kundun, which is a Martin Scorsetti movie about current Dalai Lama.

[Alison Stewart]

That is a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. We really appreciate it, Charles. So the Brooklyn Library also has, I should point out, recording studios. How does that work? How can they be used?

[Adjoa Adousi]

Yeah, so the recording studio is at Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, at our Info Commons. Again, you would need a library card to set up a time slot in that location. And you can just walk in and talk to the people at the front desk.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you need to be a Brooklyn resident to do that?

[Adjoa Adousi]

No. As long as you have a BPL card which extends to New York State, you're good to go.

[Alison Stewart]

The BPL has some resources to help you get inspired. Say you want to join the Public Song Project. You mentioned sheet music and vinyl records. What kind of things are in the collection?

[Adjoa Adousi]

So in our collection, for inspiration beyond music, there are also DVDs. So whether it's like early, early film in America, DVDs, you can check those out. That could be a source of inspiration. We have ebooks, we have poetry, books, plays that all fall in the public domain. You can ask a librarian to help you research which items are in the public domain. There's not a way to just search for that tag line. But, you know, we also have Creative Commons databases that we subscribe to. So whether it's World Digital Library, Creative Commons Directive, Open Access journals, we can use those online resources as well to find what you're looking for.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Yeah, you folks have been really helpful in helping people figure out what's in the public domain. You've got things like Agatha Christie, that's on your list, Virginia Woolf, the Marx Brothers, some old editions of Better Homes and Gardens. Can you throw out some of your personal highlights that are on your public domain list.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Some things that didn't make it to the list just yet were from the 2023 reveal of what's in the public domain. So sheet music from artists like Bessie Smith or Louis Armstrong. Those are documents that are also available within, within our catalog.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Let's talk to Robbie from Irvington. Hi, thanks for calling all of it. You're on the air.

[Robin]

Hi, my name is Robin. I live in Irvington, New York. And yeah, one thing I wanted to say is that most libraries offer museum passes that you can check out and go to reciprocal museums. So you just have to check your local library.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Thank you for the tip.

[Robin]

Many times.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

We appreciate it. This said, I taught an artist books workshop at the NYPL Hudson Library Gallery. More than 80 people came and learned how to make sculptural pop up books with me. That's great. This is back in the day, the summer before 9 11. I used to borrow foreign art house films and episodes of Sex and the City from the Brooklyn Public Library and work out while watching them in my Fort Greene living room. That's a great text. Hey listeners, have you ever borrowed something from a library that wasn't a book? We are talking to you. Call in or text us. Tell us what you've taken out of the library that was not a book. 212-433-969-22124 wnyc. All those things you mentioned about the public song, we'll put up on our our, our website, wnyc.org publicsongproject for more information on how to get involved. But I wanted to ask you about your job. All excited. You are the manager of the BPL's new library for Arts and Culture. It opened last month at the Elton Arts Cultural center in downtown Brooklyn. First of all, congratulations. Thank you. That's. Tell us a little bit more about it.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Yeah. So Library for Arts and culture and L10 are pretty unique within the ecosystem of libraries and cultural institutions in Brooklyn. It's the first first of its kind where four cultural institutions are coming together under one roof to put on programming. It's ourselves, Mokada Museum, 651 Arts and BAM. And we're the first ones that are fully open to the public. Slow rollout for the rest of the partners. But the library space, I like to think of it as a sort of reading room for L10. The rest of the partners, we are sort of acting, reacting and acting to their programming and whatever programming is happening at BPL and within Brooklyn and the city at Large. And so it's 20th and 21st century art, music, fine arts, sculpture. Yeah. Film, Lots of different things.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

What are you excited to do with this new space and this new job?

[Adjoa Adousi]

Really? So far it's been about seeing how people are reacting when they come in and learning about not holes in our collection, but ways in which we can grow our collection and make it be as responsive as possible to what Brooklynites and New Yorkers need.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Let's talk to. I hope I say this correct. Yashe, who's calling from Brooklyn. Hi, Yashay.

[Yesha]

Hi there. This is Yesha. I'm a children's librarian at Brooklyn Public Library. Hi. And excited to to hear Adjoa on the phone there too. She's a well loved colleague. I'm just excited to share with you guys. I'm a children's librarian at Brooklyn Public Library. And just so you know, you can also, I mean, you need an adult library card for this, but you can also borrow all sorts of board games. You know, all those really expensive board games that you want to try out, but it would break your bank if you bought them all. You can borrow them for free from the Brooklyn Public Library and you can use your library card to get into all kinds of museums and cultural institutions for free all around the city. And sorry, one more thing.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Keep going.

[Yesha]

I'm so excited that you're featuring Brooklyn Public Library, Allison, because I get so jealous every month when you do the Get Lit Book Club. And I'm like, why only New York Public Library? Give Brooklyn some love too.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Oh, we've been talking about it. We've been trying to figure something out. So maybe you know what? Maybe you need to just email me and we can put our heads together. That's all I'm saying. We've got seeds. This is a text. Seeds. I can coordinate a seed library at our local library In Pleasant Valley, N.Y. folks can take out three packets of seeds each month. This says my boyfriend and I used to check out 16 millimeter films heavy to project for friends in our apartment in Soho in the 80s. I'm in Stratford, Connecticut and our library has an extensive collection of fun shaped cake pans to borrow. This is very funny. And this just in. This just in. This is from the Brooklyn Public Library. We are no longer accepting RSPs for this event, but we encourage you to come to the central library and we will admit patrons as capacity allows. Apparently they are locking, they are welcoming. Walk ins are welcome, but they really do the same number of people because people, different people show up every year. Is that the case? All right, that is happening this Saturday night at the Brooklyn Public Library, the main branch. Oops, another text here. Hello. I live in Westport, Connecticut and we have a fantastic library. So much more than books. I have borrowed an old school 40 cup coffee maker and a large size Jenga game. This is getting funnier. I've often gotten music scores and chamber music parts for the New York City Performing Arts Library. A much appreciated, great service. Before I let you go, Adjoa, just give me your pitch for why the library is a great place.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Oh wow. The library is a great place because everyone is welcome there. Period. Full stop. And it's absolutely free.

[Alison Stewart]

We borrow Happy Birthday lawn signs and backyard games like badminton sets from Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton. That is from Stephanie. Sounds like a lot of people use their libraries for a lot of things.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Lovely.

[Alison Stewart]

I've been speaking to librarian Adoye Deducey about the Brooklyn Public Library's night in the Library. It is happening this Saturday. Thank you so much for coming by.

[Adjoa Adousi]

Thank you, Allison.

[Carnegie Hall]

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