Brooklyn Public Library Brings Reading to the Courtroom

Jurors waiting at the Brooklyn Supreme Court on Adams Street can now use the Brooklyn Public Library’s digital resources during jury duty.

While being called for jury duty can be stressful — involving long waits and uncertainty about whether you will be needed — it is an important task. It helps uphold the right to a fair trial in the United States.

To help make the waiting time more pleasant, the Brooklyn Public Library is introducing a special program for Juror Appreciation Week. In cooperation with Nancy T. Sunshine, the Kings County Commissioner of Jurors, the library offers all jurors immediate access to e-books, audiobooks, and other digital materials in the juror’s room.

Upon arriving in court, jurors can watch a brief video that shows how to sign up for a free Welcome Card. This card provides full access to the library’s digital collection. Signing up is simple and can be done using a smartphone.

“If you can serve on a jury in New York, you can get a Brooklyn Public Library card,” said Linda E. Johnson, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library. “With just a few clicks, you can access a world of books and information. Serving on a jury is an important civic duty, and by working with the Kings County Court, we hope to make this experience more enjoyable.”

The librarians have also created a list of 12 books based on the 12 jury members. These books will be instantly available for all jurors without any holds or wait times. This list, called the “Jury Duty Mystery Collection,” includes exciting titles like “Symphony of Secrets” by Brendan Slocumb and the eerie “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. All titles are available in both e-book and audiobook formats.

“As the Commissioner of Jurors for Kings County, I am delighted to work with the Brooklyn Public Library to offer these great resources to you as you serve,” said Sunshine. “Your participation in the justice system protects everyone’s constitutional rights. Thank you for your commitment to service.”

Jurors can upgrade their Welcome Cards to full library cards at any BPL location, including the nearby Brooklyn Heights branch. Users can access the same digital collection and the library’s wide range of physical books, vinyl records, board games, and more with a full card.