Bronx Library Center — Attraction in New York

The first day I visited the branch, I went to the poetry section. I was actually kneeling down, looking between the mid and lower shelves, seeing the collection. Then, a strange, micro-aggressive occurrence happened.

As I was looking at the book, an employee -- an elderly white lady, and I will also point out I am a young man of color, and that day I was not wearing what I might at Lincoln Center, but jeans and a white shirt -- essentially pre-empted a social microaggression.

I want to be as diplomatic, but the occurrence was as slight and subtle as it was just pointedly a racial microaggression: she inserted her self into my space, while I was looking at the collection. I stepped back, out of respect, but after noticing she wasn't actually placing books in the shelf -- essentially, she had no actual or literal business occupying the space in which she saw me standing, where I had been for some time, in my peace and reviewing the collection -- I took a step closer to the books, seeing as she wasn't stacking the books pertaining to that particular section where I had been standing.

Because she wasn't stacking the books and it was apparent she had no apparent business, it made me question the incidence at all, while observing the bottom line, again, microaggressive movements which led to my undue displacement; there was a subtle, nuanced, yet apparent power dynamic surrounding the occupation of space.

When I stepped further to look back at the poetry books, no more than a step, the library worker told me, "I don't feel comfortable."

I'd like to pause at this moment, because this is where the nuances of this microaggressive occurrence becomes more apparent. She felt comfortable enough to initially enter my space, and yet when I just took a step towards reviewing the books -- after seeing she wasn't stacking books -- she then deflects and projects onto me a discomfort after having displaced me physically via microaggressive means.

Shortly after the incidence, I did go to the nearest front desk. I did report the incidence, verbally, to the lady at the front desk. And I did gather at least the contact information of the branch manager. But I thought that perhaps over time, things would stop, but they haven't.

I know I'm not the only one, as I have witnessed other staff harass other people at the library. I have literally witnessed one of the security guards harass a library patron until she was uncomfortable enough to leave without wanting to. I've had strange mis-reports that I haven't turned in certain items on time, after voicing...

At 11:45am on October 18 Security Guard at Library was very disrespectful… Liberian apologized for security guard behavior.. she even coursed at me.. I entering the library to purchased $1 headphones from counter and leave, I didn’t plan to stay, all I wanted to do is purchased headphones from counter and exit right away! as I’m walking in she told me I had to throw my drink away. I told her multiple times that I’m short of breath and that I need my drink. The second security guard was being very understanding and even suggested for me to go to the counter and leave right away ! And I agreed. But the 1st female security guard insisted for me to throw my drink away when I clearly stated that I was going to the counter to buy a pair of $1 head phones and exit the library.. and that I was short of breath and it’s the reason why I couldn’t throw my drink away. Because I just walked up a big hill from Fordham plaza and I needed my drink. But she was being inhumane and was not very understanding to my health problems. I clearly told her I need to go to the counter and then exit the library.....

Love this place. It has the feel of a downtown Manhattan building and it's crazy it's in the Bronx. I come here to work on my blogs and write. Very convenient place that doesn't feel like your'e in the Bronx. I prefer this one to the Midtown library on 42nd n 5th ave as that one gets packed with homeless, stinky, and crazy people on the computer/laptop floors. Since it's so big security sometimes might take a while before spotting the disturbance. It also doesn't feel as clean. This one, since it's fairly new looks pretty clean and if you have kids they have a children's only floor with computers with games and books for children.

The only problem with this Bronx Library as with most NYC public libraries is that you get the occasional homeless guys or guys that talk to themselves on the computer floors, but they do have security on each floor making sure that people keep it quiet and don't disturb others. They also have an auditorium and have events there, which I haven't seen it. The late hours area a plus. They close at 9pm...