Opened in 1946, Rugby began as a 7,000 volume sub-branch in a rented store on Linden Boulevard with a small staff aided by volunteers from the East Flatbush Council. In 1951, it moved to a larger storefront on Utica Avenue, and in 1957 Rugby Branch opened at the present location. The branch has been renovated several times, most recently in 1997 when the Rochelle Tenner Reading Garden, honoring the library advocate, was installed.
