8. You can earn a college degree from BPL

Brooklyn Public Library
Photo by Gregg Richards, Courtesy of Brooklyn Library

Brooklyn Public Library is the only public library in the nation where you can earn a college degree. Bard at BPL enrolls Brooklynites and other New Yorkers of all ages who have been previously deterred or excluded from higher education. Tuition and books are fully covered.

Brooklyn Public Library also provides support for Brooklynites who are out of school and looking to start their own businesses. Brooklyn Library’s PowerUP competition provides Brooklyn’s entrepreneurs with a free business education and seed money. The PowerUP! contest has provided nearly $500,000 to over 200 entrepreneurs across the borough. Many successful Brooklyn businesses launched with help from PowerUP! including Bogota Latin Bistro, Island Pops, Green in BK and Greenlight Bookstore.