The Youth Wing: Curiosity, Knowledge, and Joy Making a Return

Shantel Destra

After spending months away during the COVID-19 pandemic, families are coming back to the Brooklyn Public Library

As you set foot into the Youth Wing of the Central Branch, the light patter of children’s feet running through the aisles bid you welcome. The vibrant murals that decorate the back wall never leave your side no matter your position in the wing. The animated voices of parents can be heard reading books aloud to their children.

For many parents, a Saturday morning visit to the Youth Wing is part of their weekly ritual. Unlike laundry or grocery shopping, the trip to the library isn’t done out of obligation. These parents could spend their Saturdays anywhere in the city that has so much to offer, but they choose to come to this space. The reason is, this is a time where they can relax after a long week and bond with their children over books.

Rennae Collins has been visiting the Youth Wing with her children for fourteen years. Collins says she used to spend about forty-five minutes at the library every Saturday until the COVID-19 pandemic took over the city. To protect children and families from the spread of COVID-19, libraries across New York City had to pivot to online programming. But — like many parents — Collins chose not to participate in the library’s virtual programming.

Today is the first day back for Collins and her nine-year-old daughter, Abigail Weeks. Collins calls the library the “perfect place” to visit after going to the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket or after a mid-day stroll in Prospect Park. She says she and her daughter were excited about making their return to the library.

“I said there’s the library…there’s the farmer’s market…” says Collins, recalling the moment they decided to come. “Then she [Abigail] said let’s go to the library!”

The mother-daughter duo hurried through the front entrance of the Central Branch and headed straight to the Youth Wing nestled behind the main lobby. Collins now looks serene as she flips through the pages of a magazine on a window bench. She says her children have one rule when visiting the library: they can check out five books so long as at least one is a “non-picture” book.

Abigail Weeks runs like a track star from the window bench straight to the bridge books section. She stands a foot from the bookshelf while slowly brushing her index finger against the books’ spines. She looks in all awe at the selection of books, all with vibrant covers and of varying sizes. Weeks stares at the dozens of books in front of her but seems unable to decide which ones to take. She spends several minutes at the bookcase before returning to her mom at the window bench.

“Can we please go to a different section, Mommy?” Weeks asks. Collins looks up at her daughter and chuckles.

“Yes, we can. Give me one second,” replies Collins as she packs up their belongings.

Weeks sits on the window bench, patiently waiting for her mother’s cue. Javata Steptoe and Selina Alko’s animated murals are above her on both sides — two of the seven famous murals that decorate the wing. In 2019, seven award-winning artists created a series of murals on the back wall of Youth Wing. These murals share one thing in common, a red book.

According to Librarian Leigh Fox and the library’s website, the murals are meant to show a book’s journey after leaving the library, and portray how one can be transported into a different world through reading. Each mural represents a different path. One depicts a child holding the red book while being pushed in a stroller down a neighborhood street. Another mural shows the book getting elevated by a large figure above the library while children, parents, and animals watch from afar. Children hardly seem to notice the lively murals, but you may see the librarians gazing at them when the Wing isn’t too busy.

In addition to the murals, the constant humming sound coming from the front kiosk as children check out books adds to the ambiance. The sounds coming from the machine are like a soundtrack for the Youth Wing. Beep! … Beep! … Beep! … Beep! Each book is released from the incubation chamber of the library and graduates to the exciting journey that awaits it, like the ones depicted in each mural.

Now that vaccines for children and adults have become available across New York City, the Youth Wing Staff is excited to welcome more families back for in-person programming. Cheery Librarians can be spotted organizing the books and restocking the shelves, almost at the same rate that books are getting checked out by children. Some parents spend their time in the Wing trailing behind their toddlers and proudly taking photos of them next to books. Parents of older children sit at the circular tables in between the aisles to help with homework.

According to Fox, the librarians here have missed the presence of the children and have been looking forward to welcoming families back. Collins describes the Youth Wing librarians as being extremely helpful, ready to answer any questions and sharing educational resources with families.

“My favorite part of the Youth Wing is that we are able to service the community,” says Fox. Fox enjoys building relationships with visitors of the Youth Wing. She’s seen children who frequented the Wing return years later, all grown up.

Not only does the Youth Wing uplift the Brooklyn community, but it also celebrates local cultural art. Looking ahead, the librarians are excited to continue to provide opportunities for local artists.

“We want to have more programming with local authors and illustrators for the Youth Wing,” says Fox. “Being in Brooklyn, we are so lucky to have access to so much local talent.”

The Central Branch of Brooklyn Public Library is undeniably a pillar of the borough. It stands tall just behind Grand Army Plaza with gold-engraved columns at the entrance. Inspirational quotes about education are carved on the sides of the building. A quote at the entrance sets the tone for a visit to the library:

“Through the joining of municipal enterprise and private generosity offers to all the people perpetual and free access to the knowledge and the thought of all the ages.”

For 125 years, the Brooklyn Public Library has provided educational resources, opportunities, and a safe public space for visitors. Now that the worst of the pandemic seems to be in the past for New York City, visitors — like Collins and her daughter — continue to bond over books and create memories in the space. Parents, children, and librarians have returned to enjoying the serenity of the Youth Wing and exploring the endless possibilities each book brings.

Collins and Weeks are looking forward to returning to the Youth Wing of the Central Branch each and every Saturday.