PHOTOS: Kensington Library Ribbon Cutting

Though it opened its doors to the public last week, city officials joined library staff on Wednesday to formally introduce the new Kensington Library, the borough's most environmentally-friendly library to date. 

The new $16 million building—the first Brooklyn library constructed from scratch in nearly 20 years—is an environmentally-minded bibliophile's dream. The building is certified LEED Silver, and features such green amenities as large front windows and a skylight, which decrease the need for artificial lighting. Solar powered sculptures dangle near the windows, twisting around when the sun shines bright enough. 

The new library also features 24 computers for public use, as well as three iPads and various spaces for story times and community gatherings.