'Another turn' by by Orin Zebest is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Brooklyn Public Library now lets you browse and borrow vinyl records
Roughly 400 records are available, however you'll need your own record player at home. And remember: The plural of vinyl is vinyl
Good news for people who prefer listening over reading: The Brooklyn Public Library now lets you borrow records.
The Central Library branch, located at Grand Army Plaza, recently launched a pilot program that lets members browse and borrow a collection of roughly 400 records, featuring a wide range of options, from Abba to Zappa. It’s located on the first floor in the “New and Noteworthy” section.
“The library, many moons ago, had a vinyl collection and we decided it was primetime to bring it back,” Jennifer Thompson, assistant director of Central Library, told CBS 2 New York, adding that vinyl has made a comeback, “especially in Brooklyn.”
It’s true: Vinyl experienced record-high sales in 2021, according to a report from MRC Data, (although it’s unclear how much Brooklyn contributed to that). Vinyl now comprises to roughly half of all physical format sales, beating CDs for the first time since 1991.
BPL also offers record players for listening (sadly, you can’t borrow those), and you can only check out three albums at a time for a maximum of three weeks. The library also asks that you drop them back off at the Central Library branch directly to a staff member so they don’t break.
Beginning in the fall, BPL also plans to teach classes revolving around vinyl, including audio mixing and DJing.
Great news, music lovers! BPL now has vinyl records and a listening station available at Central Library. Come browse the collection—we have rock, today’s hits, and everything in between. Teen and adult cardholders can borrow up to 3 records at a time: https://t.co/cTJvW8JlNc pic.twitter.com/8Lcu4ll6Wn
— BKLYN Library (@BKLYNlibrary) August 13, 2022
